---
title: 'Mapping a better future: Ecotrust opens Madrona decision tool to the public'
date: '2012-07-10T13:55:05-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 214
char_count: 1394
tokens: 279
categories:
  - News
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - Startups
tags:
  - decision
  - ecotrust
  - madrona
  - Mapping
---

# Mapping a better future: Ecotrust opens Madrona decision tool to the public

Granted, [Ecotrust](http://www.ecotrust.org/ "Ecotrust") isn’t exactly a startup. But this app release was too interesting to pass up.

Today, [Ecotrust opened public access to Madrona](http://madrona.ecotrust.org/news/madrona-version-40-released/ "Madrona version 4.0 released"), a flexible set of software tools to assist in decision support and spatial planning with an eye toward the environment.

> Beginning in 2011 Ecotrust began using the MarineMap code base to develop tools outside of the marine sector at a variety of geographic scales for forestry, watershed prioritization and regional planning. New features and core improvements were beginning to come out of these projects at a rapid pace and Ecotrust began envisioning a broader framework for spatial planning, one that incorporated the best innovations across sectors and projects while still supporting the uniqueness of each. Thus the idea for Madrona was born, a framework for decision support and spatial planning at any scale.

Using a combination of Google Earth and the Madrona software, users gain access to a powerful set of tools that help people make better choices about the environmental decisions they’re trying to make.

For more information or to download the tool for free, visit [Madrona](http://madrona.ecotrust.org/ "Madrona").