Friends of the Columbia Gorge Newsroom

Friends of the Columbia Gorge Newsroom
View from Bridge of the Gods, spanning from Cascade Locks, OR to North Bonneville, WA. (photographer: Derek Markee)

Monthly Enews

Monthly Enews - Keep updated on Friends' work, news stories, and upcoming events and volunteer activities.

Keeping the Columbia Gorge wild and wondrous is the core of what we do. Friends of the Columbia Gorge is the only conservation organization dedicated solely to protecting the scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Columbia Gorge for generations to come. For almost 40 years we have worked to protect the Columbia Gorge from irresponsible development, preserve vital lands, promote responsible stewardship, strengthen public support for conservation initiatives, and expose local youth to the Gorge's wonders. Learn more: gorgefriends.org/about

Connect With Us

For media questions, speaking requests, or public education partnership inquiries please contact: Tim Dobyns, communications & engagement director | 971.634.0595 | tim@gorgefriends.org (email) 

Keep Updated

 


 

News & Updates

Friends Achieves Three Major Court Victories Against Serial Mining Violators

Friends Achieves Three Major Court Victories Against Serial Mining Violators

June 26, 2023 - By Nathan Baker
Latest News

A spectacular trifecta of defeats for land-use violators in three different courts marks a watershed moment in the protection of the National Scenic Area from the illegal mining at the Zimmerly pit.

Protecting Agricultural Land for Agricultural Uses

Protecting Agricultural Land for Agricultural Uses

June 26, 2023 - By Nathan Baker
Latest News

Friends gears up to defend a recent appellate decision that, if upheld on further appeal, will continue to protect farmland in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area now and into the future.

Squandering Gorge Assets

Squandering Gorge Assets

June 26, 2023 - By Sofia Urrutia-Lopez
Latest News

Friends conservation organizer and Gorge resident Sofia Urrutia-Lopez gives her perspective on the data center proposed for the Gorge community of Cascade Locks, Oregon.

Friends Announces 2023 Plein Air in the Columbia Gorge Winners

Friends Announces 2023 Plein Air in the Columbia Gorge Winners

June 26, 2023
Latest News

The Friends of the Columbia Gorge ribbon was awarded to Mark Shasha of Swampscott, Massachusetts, for his painting "Tranquility."

Features

Collaboration Yields a Climate Action Plan for the Columbia Gorge

Collaboration Yields a Climate Action Plan for the Columbia Gorge

December 22, 2022 - By Denise López

Bringing in members of often-overlooked communities, contributed to a Columbia Gorge climate plan that would address local concerns and be broadly supported.

Methane Gas Power Plant Defeated for Good

Methane Gas Power Plant Defeated for Good

November 3, 2022

Had the proposed 415-megawatt fracked gas-fired power plant been built it would have immediately ranked in the top 10 stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.

Breaking Down Barriers,  Building Community Partnerships

Breaking Down Barriers, Building Community Partnerships

November 3, 2022

Friends staff have worked to build new, enduring community partnerships with regional groups who have been historically excluded from conservation and land management debates and decision making.

Blog

Centering Conservation Through Tribal Perspectives

Centering Conservation Through Tribal Perspectives

April 12, 2023

Friends participates in an initiative with a goal of restoring access and ownership of lands to the Indigenous people who have occupied and stewarded the lands for countless generations.

Spring Is Buzzing in the Gorge!

Spring Is Buzzing in the Gorge!

April 12, 2023

'Tis the season for pollination in the Gorge.

Step by Step, Gorge Towns to Trails Forges New Connections

Step by Step, Gorge Towns to Trails Forges New Connections

April 7, 2023 - By Renée Tkach

Read an update of the biggest recreation initiative in Friends' history.

Breaching the Snake River Dams

Breaching the Snake River Dams

November 30, 2022 - By Steve McCoy

While the dams are far upstream of the Gorge, dwindling Gorge salmon runs, tribal significance and recreation benefits led Friends to support the breaching proposals.

Upcoming Events

Columbia River Gorge Commission Monthly Meeting: October

Columbia River Gorge Commission Monthly Meeting: October

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The bi-state commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The public is invited to attend meetings.

Invasive Species Removal at Sams Walker Day Use Area

Invasive Species Removal at Sams Walker Day Use Area

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Come be a part of our autumn blackberry-tackle project to help remove this invasive plant and advance pollinator habitat restoration!

Clean-Up at Turtle Haven Preserve

Clean-Up at Turtle Haven Preserve

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Join us for a fall clean-up and seeding project that will begin to transform an old homestead site at this preserve to wildlife habitat.

Columbia River Gorge Commission Monthly Meeting: November

Columbia River Gorge Commission Monthly Meeting: November

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

The bi-state commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The public is invited to attend meetings.