Volunteer with Friends

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.

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.

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.