Together, We Did It

Together, We Did It
Exploring Duncan Creek, one of the Preserve the Wonder campaign properties. (photographer: Debbie Asakawa)

Saturday, June 2, 2018

By Kevin Gorman
Executive Director


Last week, we crossed the finish line of a three-year journey as we passed the $5.5 million goal in our Preserve the Wonder land acquisition campaign, finishing with over $5.6 million raised. Together, we protected eight properties (seven purchased and one donated) and created funds for stewardship and our Gorge Towns to Trails work. Over 1,630 people gave gifts from five dollars to $1 million to make this happen.
 
We are humbled and deeply grateful for this outpouring of generosity. It demonstrates the love and commitment all of us share for the Columbia Gorge. This generosity translates into protection of endangered turtles, connections for future trails and preservation of land from development forever. And while the Preserve the Wonder campaign is now coming to an end, the resources you’ve given Friends will help us as we continue for years to come.

We will share more details about the final outcome of the campaign in the coming weeks and months. But in the meantime, I want to personally thank everyone who made this possible: donors, staff, board, campaign committee members, and volunteers. And I want to especially recognize three staff who played an essential role in this accomplishment and are no longer with the organization:
  Thank you! We couldn’t have done it without you. Now that we own these properties, stay tuned for updates on how you can help steward them in the years to come. And consider joining us on July 15, 2018 for our Picnic in Paradise and give us a chance to personally thank you! It will be held on Thunder Island in Cascade Locks.

Above photo: Kevin Gorman (center) with campaign committee co-chairs Debbie Asakawa (left) and Gwen Farnham (right). (photographer: Brandon Davis)

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