Volunteers on a Washington Trails Association work party helped create the first 700 feet of new trail to re-route a steep section of the Lyle Cherry Orchard trail. (photographer: Micheal Drewry)
Blazing Trails at the Lyle Cherry Orchard
January 24, 2019
January 24, 2019 The land trust preserve has been a place of trailblazing innovation for over a century. The Cherry Orchard, 540 acres perched above and east of the community […]
One of the 15 western pond turtle hatchlings released at the Turtle Haven land trust property this year. (video still by Michael Durham, Oregon Zoo)
Collaboration Provides Sanctuary for Endangered Gorge Turtles
August 22, 2018
August 22, 2018 Friends of the Columbia Gorge bought the 64 acres in Washington known as Turtle Haven with the hope that the land would someday live up to its name. Signs […]
U.S. Forest Service rangers show Washougal sixth-graders the effects of fire on bark of different tree species. (photographer: Brandon Davis)
Inspiring the Next Generation of Gorge Stewards
July 26, 2018
July 26, 2018 By Erin Middlewood You can live in a place your whole life and still find a way to see it with fresh eyes. Washougal, WA middle school […]
The Eagle Creek fire burns near Cascade Locks, Oregon, viewed from the north end of Bridge of the Gods in N. Bonneville, Wash., Sept. 4, 2017. (photographer: Tristan Fortsch)
Giving Thanks Through the Fire: Cascade Locks Strong
November 16, 2017
November 16, 2017 Cascade Locks calls itself the “Heart of the Columbia River Gorge.” When the Eagle Creek fire ignited over Labor Day weekend, the Oregon-side Gorge community of about […]
A City of Portland fire crew douses part of the Eagle Creek fire near Multnomah Falls. (photo courtesy of Multnomah County Communications)
Friends Applauds Gorge Wildfire Containment Efforts
September 7, 2017
September 7, 2017 Today, the U.S. Forest Service and other lead agencies fighting the Eagle Creek wildfire reported that the blaze was now 5 percent contained. Kevin Gorman, executive director […]
The Eagle Creek Fire burns above Cascade Locks, OR and the Columbia River, Sept. 4, 2017. (photographer: Teresa Larson)
Friends Responds to Eagle Creek Fire Outbreak
September 5, 2017
September 5, 2017 Friends of the Columbia Gorge is shocked and saddened by this devastating wildfire. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gorge residents who have been evacuated and our […]
Walking along the Columbia River at the Steigerwald Shores property, with Crown Point and Vista House in the distance. (photographer: Debbie Asakawa)
160-Acre Purchase = 900-Acre Restoration!
June 20, 2017
June 20, 2017 By Kate McBrideLand Trust Manager The centerpiece of Friends’ Preserve the Wonder campaign is the 160-acre Steigerwald Shores, a three-quarter-mile riverfront property adjacent to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Acquisition […]
After the derailment anniversary rally, attendees proceed to the Columbia River for a ceremony, June 3, 2017. (photographer: Kyle Ramey for Stand Up to Oil)
Hundreds Gather in Mosier to Remember Derailment
June 3, 2017
June 3, 2017 by Patrick MulvihillThe Dalles Chronicle (original story) One year after an oil train derailment roiled communities throughout the Columbia Gorge, hundreds gathered at Mosier Community School to […]
Rally on the Washington Capitol steps in Olympia before the petition deliveries. (photographer: Ryan Rittenhouse)
1.3 Million Comments Delivered Against Coal and Oil Transport Terminals
May 11, 2017
May 11, 2017 Today, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Power Past Coal (PPC) and Stand Up To Oil (SUTO) coalitions celebrate gathering 1.3 million comments against oil trains, oil terminals and coal exports through […]
On the trail at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, December 2016. (photos courtesy of Debbie Asakawa)
Finding Wonder at Steigerwald
May 1, 2017
May 1, 2017 By Debbie AsakawaVice-Chair, Friends of the Columbia Gorge Board of DirectorsCo-Chair, Preserve the Wonder Campaign CORRECTION, May 26, 2017: An earlier version of this post stated that adding Steigerwald […]
Meghan Gorman, daughter of Executive Director Kevin Gorman, at Friends' Mosier Plateau land trust property. (photographs courtesy of Kevin Gorman and Michelle Kinsella)
Preserving the Wonder for Things We Hold Dear
April 4, 2017
April 4, 2017 By Kevin GormanExecutive Director The older I become, the more I see that all aspects of my life are interconnected. That revelation hit home on Sunday as […]
Coal dust blow-off from a coal train traveling in the eastern Columbia Gorge. (photographer: Julie Coop)
BNSF Agrees to Clean Up Waterways Soiled by Coal Leaking From Trains
March 3, 2017
March 3, 2017 By Steve Law, Portland Tribune BNSF Railway will pay $1 million to mitigate the cost of pollution in Washington state waterways caused by coal emitted from its open-topped […]