New bilingual, physical-distancing sign at Friends' Lyle Cherry Orchard land trust preserve. (photographer: Richard Kolbell)
Adapting Land Management for Uncertain Times
September 24, 2020
September 24, 2020 By Land Trust Director Dan Bell and Land Trust Associate Frances Fischer Adaptation is fundamental to ecosystems. The beautiful wildflower meadows in the Gorge are a product […]
A young western pond turtle almost appears to smile as it is about to be released into its natural habitat at the Turtle Haven preserve. (photographer: Vince Ready, Lasting Light Photography
A Life-Changing Experience: Releasing the Western Pond Turtle
August 27, 2020
By Natasha StoneCommunity Engagement Specialist August 27, 2020 Around this time last year I was sitting at my desk at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), where I worked as a production assistant […]
OPB: Oregon Parks Projects Will Benefit From New Outdoors Bill
August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020 By Erin Ross, Oregon Public Broadcasting (view original article) President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act Tuesday morning, making the largest public lands spending bill passed […]
Zoo-Reared Western Pond Turtles Released in Gorge
August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020 By Hood River News (view original article) Summer’s just heating up in Portland, but for 23 western pond turtles reared at the Oregon Zoo, a nine-month stretch of […]
Camas-Washougal Post-Record: “Disaster Waiting to Happen” at Washougal Pit
July 16, 2020
July 16, 2020 By Kelly Moyer, Camas-Washougal Post-Record (view original story) It has been more than two years since a group of Washougal residents living near the sand and gravel operation […]
Immersive Environmental Justice class outing in the eastern Gorge, March 5, 2020. (photographer: Molly Lowney)
Empowering New Voices, Strengthening Gorge Advocacy
May 27, 2020
By Peter CornelisonField Representative May 27, 2020 One of Friends’ key objectives is educating the public about the Columbia River Gorge. Over the years, Friends has led thousands of guided hikes, […]
Gorge sunset viewed from Angel's Rest. (photographer: Justin Bernal)
New Look, Same Commitment
May 19, 2020
By Kevin GormanExecutive Director May 19, 2020 Friends At 40: Our Mission, Values, and Vision Converge Friends of the Columbia Gorge celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and as someone who has led the […]
Aerial view of the Zimmerly mining site inside the western National Scenic Area boundary near Washougal, WA. (photo: Friends' archive)
Judge Denies Gravel Mine’s Motion to Stay Enforcement of Scenic Area Rules
January 15, 2020
By Nathan BakerSenior Staff Attorney January 15, 2020 The latest episode in the ongoing saga over an illegal gravel mining operation in the western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area came […]
(from left to right) Hood River Valley High School Climate Action Club members Lottie Bromham, Lillie Tomlinson and Lyric Emmons give an interview about their activism, Dec. 2019. (photographer: Peter Cornelison)
Young Gorge Leaders Call for Climate Action
December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019 Friends supports community leaders advocating for climate policy reforms By Peter Cornelison, field representative and Stan Hall, digital content specialist Ever since the founding of Friends of […]
Washougal, WA, sixth-graders on the Hamilton Mountain trail as part the Explore the Gorge outdoor education program. (photographer: Richard Kolbell)
Inspiring the Next Generation
December 19, 2019
By Stan HallDigital Communications Manager December 19, 2019 For St. Andrew Nativity School history teacher Alex Park, the importance of connecting kids to nature became apparent while teaching at a Jesuit […]
View looking west from a new loop of the Lyle Cherry Orchard trail. (photographer: Gabe Smith)
New Loops Come to Life at Lyle Cherry Orchard
November 26, 2019
By Renée TkachGorge Towns to Trails Manager November 26, 2019 Note: This post was updated in September 2020. Trails don’t just build themselves. It takes hours, days, weeks…years to plan, prepare and […]
Aerial view of the Zimmerly mining site inside the western National Scenic Area boundary near Washougal, WA. (photo: Friends' archive)
Gorge Panel Rules Mine Operation Illegal
November 25, 2019
By Michael LangConservation Director November 25, 2019 On Aug. 13, the appointed members of the Columbia River Gorge Commission overturned a Clark County hearing examiner’s decision and found that the Zimmerly […]