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, […]
Friends Announces Winners of 2025 Photo Contest
May 25, 2025
Friends of the Columbia Gorge is proud to announce the winners of our 2025 photo contest, "Lenscape: Through Nature's Eyes," including grand prize winner Paloma Ayala.
Dog Mountain, by Michael Orwick.
301 Gallery and Friends of the Columbia Gorge Collaborate to Present INSPIRED! II Art Exhibition
May 20, 2025
Following the success of last year’s inaugural show, 301 Gallery and Friends of the Columbia Gorge are excited to announce INSPIRED! II, an art exhibition opening this summer in downtown […]
Looking west from White Salmon down the Columbia River. Photo by Paloma Ayala.
Holding the Line: How the Gorge Commission was Saved
May 8, 2025
The Columbia River Gorge Commission is the frontline defense against unregulated development, environmental degradation, and climate change threats across the 292,500-acre Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It ensures that […]
Alashík Preserve. Photo by Monique Trevett.
Shell by Shell: Protecting the Gorge’s Turtle Sanctuaries
May 8, 2025
In April 2024, Friends acquired Alashík Preserve, an ecologically critical property nestled in the wooded valleys of Skamania County. The acquisition marks a major conservation win, permanently protecting habitat for […]
Friends Defeats Illegal Zimmerly Mining Again, and Again, and Again
May 8, 2025
By Nathan Baker, Senior Staff Attorney Since 2017, Friends has zealously opposed illegal gravel mining on the Zimmerly property in southeast Clark County, just inside the gateway to the Washington […]
Wildflowers at Mosier Plateau. Photo by Cate Hotchkiss.
Connecting Communities: Progress on the Mosier-to-The Dalles Trail Plan
May 7, 2025
Big things are on the horizon for Gorge trail lovers! A bold new vision is taking shape to connect the towns of Mosier and The Dalles with a trail network that weaves through some of the most beautiful landscapes that the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has to offer.
Beacon Rock. Photo by Jeremiah Leipold.
Columbia River Gorge Commission Avoids Defunding, Faces 27 Percent Budget Cut
April 28, 2025
The press release below was sent to media outlets across the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, April 28, 2025. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Wash., April 28, 2025 – The Columbia River Gorge Commission, […]
Washington House Votes to Defund the Columbia River Gorge Commission
April 3, 2025
The press release below was sent to media outlets across the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, April 3, 2025. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Wash., April 3, 2025 – The Columbia River Gorge […]
What if the National Scenic Area Never Existed?
December 23, 2024
The Columbia Gorge would be a very different place without the protections of the National Scenic Area. Unchecked residential, commercial, and industrial development would have consumed parts of it, transforming cliffs, […]
Behind the Scenes of “The Wildflower Woman” Short Film
December 21, 2024
From Friends of the Columbia Gorge and filmmaker Monique Trevett, “The Wildflower Woman” short film profiles renowned Columbia Gorge conservation icon and Lyle, Washington, resident Barbara Robinson. The film follows […]
Alashík Preserve. Photo by Monique Trevett.
Slow & Steady: Turtles Win Out Over Logging, Mining at Friends’ New Alashík Preserve
December 19, 2024
Alashík Preserve is Friends’ latest acquisition through our Share the Wonder campaign. Watch the video below for a 4K aerial tour of the preserve, and browse a photo gallery here. Friends […]
