Ecotrust

Portland State University is proud to announce Antone Minthorn, an esteemed Cayuse leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), as a recipient of an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters on Sunday, June 14, during the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Commencement (Ceremony 3).

Minthorn’s commitment to “serving the city” and the Pacific Northwest is heavily reflected in his environmental and cultural stewardship. He served as president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and was a pivotal figure in adopting vital salmon policies for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. By successfully negotiating the return of salmon runs to his eastern Oregon homelands, he helped halt salmon extinction across the Columbia River Basin, impacting the entire regional ecosystem.

More about our esteemed speaker in the comment section




Graduation | Portland, Oregon | PDX

Heritage University environmental science students have uncovered the agricultural pest affecting the growth of huckleberry, an important first food for Yakama Nation and many other Northwest tribes.

Ecotrust is proud to have provided one of the grants supporting this important research. Read the full article:
https://buff.ly/MSYLq3P

The Plight of the Yakamas' Sacred Fruit - Wings Spring 2026 What’s threatening the Yakamas’ cherished huckleberry? Heritage University students found out in a study that may help save the fruit on the reservation.

Join us in celebrating 35 years of strengthening communities, local economies, and ecosystems from Alaska to California! We invite mission-aligned organizations to join us as a sponsor for our upcoming celebratory events. ecotrust.org/sponsor35

📸 : Ecotrust's Rolling out the Redd gala; photo by Ashley Anderson

Starting today, Ecotrust staff begin their Summer Fridays Off schedule!

Since 2020, Ecotrust has offered its staff a 4-day work week during the months of June through August, supporting staff rest and well-being. Part of the team are still available on Summer Fridays as they practiced a 4-day work week during the winter season.

Please allow for slower responses from us during these months - thanks in advance for your patience!

📸 : Jason Hill

What are stewardship credits, and how can they help protect watersheds like Chilkat Valley? Jon Bonkoski reflects on our blog: https://buff.ly/UkA80CW

Last month, Jon Bonkoski, Vice President of Coastal Communities & Fisheries, traveled to Haines, Alaska to attend the inaugural Chilkat Biodiversity Forum with our Alaska-based team members. Taking place in the ecologically and culturally significant Chilkat Valley watershed, the forum brought together many community members to plan for its protections.

📸 : The Chilkat Biodiversity Forum, photo by Erika Merklin

What have our Farm to Early Care & Education Institute teams have been up to? Read about their recent spring retreat: https://ecotrust.org/nurturing-farm-to-early-care-and-education-progress/

This spring, five teams of the inaugural Farm to ECE Institute cohort gathered for a day of team time and relaxation. Now on our blog, read about how this retreat—and the connections created by the broader Institute program—is important for ECE staff, especially during a time of uncertainty and stress caused by ICE raids and federal funding cuts.

📸 : Jason Hill

Join us on July 15 for a free webinar exploring Indigenous agroforestry as a critical land management practice! RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/foundations-of-agroforestry-tickets-1990511515526?aff=oddtdtcreator

Indigenous land management practices are deeply holistic, shaped by thousands of years of knowledge and lived experience. These traditions continue to inform contemporary agroforestry practices today, creating pathways for integrated, sustainable land stewardship rooted in place and community.

In this webinar, members of the Forests & Ecosystem Services team at Ecotrust introduce the Indigenous Agroforestry Network, and share how they’re learning, connecting, and collaborating at the intersections of Indigenous land management, and agroforestry. They will review the essential elements of Agroforestry practices, examine the current landscape, and explore challenges and opportunities.

Apply soon! ecotrust.org/ece-institute

NEW episode of Tending the Tides, out now! Episode 6 features Cheryl Chen of Salmon Returns: https://ecotrust.org/episode-6-the-currency-of-care

In this episode of Tending the Tides, team members Jon Bonkoski and Kaitlyn Rich sit down with Cheryl Chen, CEO and co-founder of Salmon Returns, to explore the emerging world of stewardship credits and what they could mean for coastal communities. Cheryl redefines how we think about underwater infrastructure, reminds us that ecosystems need “preventative care” just like humans, and presents a vision for the Oregon coast where capital flows directly to the people stewarding our lands and waters.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Cast, and Podcast Addict, as well as Ecotrust's blog! https://ecotrust.org/episode-6-the-currency-of-care

📸 : The Three Graces in Rockaway Beach, Ore.; photo by Emilie Chen

Do you know an Oregon farm to school champion whose dedication deserves to be recognized and celebrated? Nominate them! https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/childnutrition/F2S/Pages/Oregon-Harvest-for-Schools-Awards.aspx

🍎 The Oregon Harvest for Schools Award honors Oregon's farm to school community – the growers, educators, food service professionals and advocates who bring innovation and dedication to connecting children with Oregon-grown food. These champions cultivate lasting change by enriching student education and strengthening local food systems. This award celebrates their vision and commitment to ensuring that Oregon's next generation grows up with healthy meals, meaningful food education, and a deeper connection to land and people who feed them.

The nomination process is now open for the following Oregon Harvest for Schools Award categories:
🏅School Garden Coordinator of the Year
🏅Nutrition Service Professional of the Year
🏅Oregon Food Producer of the Year
🏅Community Partner of the Year
🏅School Garden of the Year