Wonders of the Columbia Gorge
Nowhere else on earth exists such a wonder of desert and forest, cliffs and waterfalls, sun and rain. It’s the only place in the world where a mighty river crashes through an entire mountain range.
From 1912-30, at what is today the Portland Women’s Forum Park and viewpoint, the windows of the Chanticleer Inn gazed out over the Gorge. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service.
Early Threats & Protections
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was signed into law in 1986 thanks in large part to Friends work. But threats to the Gorge and efforts to protect it far predate our founding.
Sunrise from the Portland Women’s Forum Scenic Viewpoint. Photo by Chris Elkinton.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act
From 1980 to 1986, Friends led the fight to build building political and public support that would ultimately lead to the creation of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Latest News
Keep updated on Friends' work, news stories, and the work happening in the Columbia Gorge.
American bullfrog in pond weed. Photo by Peter Ziminski.
Invasive Predator: Inside the Race to Control the Deadliest Threat to Gorge Turtles
January 5, 2026
Friends of the Columbia Gorge is working with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to control invasive bullfrogs across shared landscapes. Through coordinated, cross-boundary stewardship, partners have removed thousands of bullfrogs to protect the endangered Northwestern pond turtle.
Northwestern pond turtle basking on a log. Photo by Griffin Gillespie.
Native Prey: Inside a 30-Year Conservation Partnership to Save a Species
January 5, 2026
At Friends’ Turtle Haven and Alashík preserves, biologists and conservation partners are working behind the scenes to recover the endangered Northwestern pond turtle. From habitat restoration to bullfrog control and decades-long collaboration, this story traces how persistence, science, and partnership are helping a resilient species make a comeback in the Gorge.
Hikers on Dog Mountain. Photo by Laura Kneedler.
Defending the Gorge in a Time of Unprecedented Threats
January 5, 2026
Protecting the Gorge means defending the laws, funding, and public lands that make climate resilience possible. This article outlines Friends’ recent advocacy victories—from restoring Gorge Commission funding to stopping a massive federal lands selloff and defending the Land and Water Conservation Fund—and explains why sustained policy engagement is essential for the Gorge’s future.