Projects: Ecotrust's Jean Vollum
Natural Capital Center

The renowned Portland landmark used to be a vacant warehouse and Ecotrust a little-known yet innovative non-profit. Not anymore. Diane was hired to develop the communications and marketing strategies to support the organization's ambitious transformation of the brick and timber structure into a marketplace of green businesses, organizations and ideas to foster a conservation economy. The charge included media relations, community outreach and development of a conference center within the building to complement the retailers, non-profit tenants and inviting public spaces.

The resulting campaign catapulted the project and organization to local and national acclaim. Buzz began with press coverage of the groundbreaking, grew with coverage of the construction site's many green features, and swelled as a steady flow of developers, architects and other green building pioneers toured the ecoroof, bioswales and crew's recycling operations that reclaimed 98% of construction debris. Then came elected officials, school groups and international visitors. By the opening, the New York Times had profiled the Center, thousands had visited, and the building's conference space had more than 150 events pre-booked.

Today the LEED-Gold rated green building endures as a vibrant gathering place, home to environmentally-minded businesses such as Patagonia, Laughing Planet Cafe, Hot Lips Pizza and others, and the conference center serves as a popular venue for civic events.

NY Times: Building on Ideas for Urban Conservation
Ecotrust's Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center
Ecotrust Building Awarded LEED Gold