As a member, you’ll receive full-color print editions of Passages magazine and our annual reports by mail. Published three times a year, Passages covers the full spectrum of our work from conservation and legal advocacy to land trust projects, community outreach, and member stories. Annual reports provide a year-in-review snapshot, highlighting key accomplishments alongside a financial overview.
Explore the archive of past Passages issues and annual reports below. Please note: before summer 2023, Passages was known as the Friends Newsletter. Beginning with the spring 2024 issue, audio versions of all articles are also available.
Latest News
Keep updated on Friends' work, news stories, and the work happening in the Columbia Gorge.
Dog Mountain Wildflowers. Photo by John Williams.
Friends Defends the Future of Public Lands Through Land and Water Conservation Fund Advocacy
September 25, 2025
The Land and Water Conservation Fund has protected iconic Gorge lands for decades without taxpayer dollars. A new order from the Department of the Interior threatens that progress by restricting acquisitions and partnerships, implementing local vetoes, and facilitating future land sell-offs.
Fire personnel work to contain the Rowena Fire in June 2025. Photo courtesy of Wasco County.
United Way of the Columbia Gorge, Friends of the Columbia Gorge Partner to Raise Funds for Rowena and Burdoin Fire Recovery
September 16, 2025
Friends of the Columbia Gorge has partnered with United Way of the Columbia Gorge on a fundraising effort supporting families impacted by the devastating Rowena and Burdoin Fires. With 100% of donations going directly to relief, this partnership will provide long-term recovery support to affected residents in Oregon and Washington.
Funding from LWCF helped ensure the protection of Catherine Creek. Photo by Robby Miller.
Trump’s Budget Aims to Pillage Conservation Funds
June 5, 2025
The Trump administration’s FY26 budget proposes redirecting roughly $387 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s (LWCF) federal land acquisition budget to fund “deferred maintenance”—that is, repairs to trails, […]
