Columbia Gorge air quality would be compromised by emissions from the proposed Perennial Energy project in Hermiston, Oregon. View to the east from upper Catherine Creek. (photographer: Becky Kuperstein)
Columbia Gorge air quality would be compromised by emissions from the proposed Perennial Energy project in Hermiston, Oregon. View to the east from upper Catherine Creek. (photographer: Becky Kuperstein)

Challenging Energy Projects Threaten the Gorge

July 14, 2021
By Michael LangConservation Director July 14, 2021 In 2020, the largest point source of climate pollution in Oregon, the Boardman coal power plant, was finally shuttered through a court supervised consent decree. […]
(Photo: Aimee Wade)
(Photo: Aimee Wade)

Brush Your Boots Off to Protect the Gorge!

June 7, 2021
By Sara WoodsStewardship Manager June 7, 2021 Clean Your Boots to Protect the Columbia Gorge Clean your boots when you hike. And your sneakers, sandals, and flip-flops too. Give them a […]

Connecting Land, Connecting Communities

April 22, 2021
By Dan BellLand Trust Director April 22, 2021 Friends joins “Oregon I Am” campaign to encourage Oregonians to safely connect with each other in a collective celebration of the land and […]
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The Oregonian: A Proposed Power Plant May Be Canceled, but Controversy Remains

April 16, 2021
April 16, 2021 By Ted Sickenger, The Oregonian The developer of a proposed gas-fired power plant in Hermiston has apparently decided to pull the plug and withdraw its state-issued permit […]
(Photographer: Xavier Armand)
(Photographer: Xavier Armand)

Strengthened by Disruption

April 15, 2021
By Kevin GormanExecutive Director April 15, 2021 Last December, my college-aged daughter was home for winter break when she received a text that led the two of us to drop everything […]
The Perennial gas-fired plant would have been sited adjacent to the existing Hermiston Generating Project, shown here. (Photo: Dan Serres, Columbia Riverkeeper)
The Perennial gas-fired plant would have been sited adjacent to the existing Hermiston Generating Project, shown here. (Photo: Dan Serres, Columbia Riverkeeper)

Victory Over Fracked Gas Power Plant

April 15, 2021
April 15, 2021 Developer Abandons Plans to Build Controversial Plant in Umatilla County Columbia Riverkeeper & Friends of the Columbia Gorge Press Release Contacts: Erin Saylor, Staff Attorney  | Columbia Riverkeeper  | (541) […]
Photo by Nick Wiltgen
Photo by Nick Wiltgen

Friends Calls on Oregon Legislature to Take Stand on Bias Crimes on Public Lands

April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021 Friends of the Columbia Gorge Statement “The conservation community cannot be silent any longer on issues of justice, equality, and access to the outdoors,” says Friends Executive […]
Major Creek canyon, zoned Special Management Area Open Space, is supposed to be off-limits to commercial logging. (photographer: Kevin Gorman)
Major Creek canyon, zoned Special Management Area Open Space, is supposed to be off-limits to commercial logging. (photographer: Kevin Gorman)

Proposed Logging in Sensitive Gorge Area Poses Risk of “Dangerous Precedent”

March 25, 2021
By Stan HallDigital Communications Manager March 25, 2021 The Columbia Gorge is facing a new threat and a reminder that the law designed to protect this national scenic treasure works only if […]
Wildflowers at Tom McCall Preserve. (photographer: Becky Brun)
Wildflowers at Tom McCall Preserve. (photographer: Becky Brun)

Plan Your Visit to the Columbia Gorge at ReadySetGorge.com

March 19, 2021
March 19, 2021 Guest post by Becky Brun With wildflower season upon us and spring break just ahead, state, federal and nonprofit groups are encouraging people to plan before venturing […]
Major Creek canyon, zoned SMA Open Space, is supposed to be off-limits to commercial logging. (photographer: Kevin Gorman)
Major Creek canyon, zoned SMA Open Space, is supposed to be off-limits to commercial logging. (photographer: Kevin Gorman)

Friends Appeals Logging Decisions Made by Federal & State Agencies

March 2, 2021
March 2, 2021 The decisions would allow commercial logging in most restricted area of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, in violation of Scenic Area law and Gorge Management […]
East-facing view from Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust's recently acquired preserve at Catherine Creek. (photographer: Stan Hall)
East-facing view from Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust's recently acquired preserve at Catherine Creek. (photographer: Stan Hall)

A Diamond in the Rough at Catherine Creek

January 28, 2021
By Dan BellLand Trust Director January 28, 2021 In more than 20 years of working with land trusts, it has happened to me only a handful of times: getting the opportunity […]
Volunteers on a Friends-led invasive plant removal work party on Eagle Creek Trail, Sept. 2019. (photographer: Mika Barrett)
Volunteers on a Friends-led invasive plant removal work party on Eagle Creek Trail, Sept. 2019. (photographer: Mika Barrett)

Eagle Creek Trail Rises From the Ashes

January 8, 2021
By Kevin GormanExecutive Director January 8, 2021 It’s never coming back. That was my first thought as I, and millions of others, watched live footage of the 2017 Eagle Creek fire race […]