Ecotrust's approach still generates skepticism among some environmental groups for its pro-business logic. But the organization has developed a substantial following among community-based groups nationally and abroad. Activists are studying its projects and looking for lessons they can take home. Beebe is confident that what works in Willapa Bay or British Columbia can work in other parts of the world. But he doesn't want anyone to copy what his organization does; he merely wants its track record to speak for itself.
"If Ecotrust tries to be a model, it will fail," Beebe says. "But if Ecotrust tries to save the rain forest -- and succeeds -- then it will be a model. Success is the model."
Paul Roberts (proberts79@aol.com) is a Seattle-based writer. You can visit Ecotrust on the Web, http://www.ecotrust.org .
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