Turning green into gold! It's a growing trend in Oregon among builders. They're using environmentally materials to build and then sell.

On Thursday, a number of them hopped a bus for an hour drive to Hyla Woods.

Hyla Woods near Forest Grove is known as an "environmentally responsible" forest. Peter Hayes owns and manages the forest. He says his goal is sustainanbility.

"It's possible to grow a forest that is both ecologically complex and economically viable," explained Hayes.

Hayes does not clear-cut his forest. He says it is wildlife friendly and it offers a diversity of trees.

The wood grown in the forest is also milled in the forest. It’s cut into boards that will be made into things such as flooring or countertops.

It's an example of the growing green building trend here in Oregon.

"Oregon is a leader in this and we aim to be an even bigger leader in this," said Martin Goebel, President of Sustainable Northwest.

Goebel says a growing number of builders and craftsman are opting to use "environmentally friendly" materials.

If Green Furniture in Southeast Portland is one of only a handful of stores in Portland that sells exclusively environmentally responsible, locally grown, furniture.

"People care more about where their furniture is coming from," said Lisa Grove co-owner of the store.

The store’s furniture will be showcased next month at the international Greenbuild Conference in Chicago.

Oregon's exhibit is called PDX Lounge.

The PDX Lounge showroom will debut November 6th in Chicago.

It will feature not only this type of "green" furniture, it will also feature Oregon-made clothes, food, and drink all with an organic edge.