Friends of the Columbia Gorge has a legacy of inspiring individuals to take a stand for conservation. However, our approach to activism must evolve with the changing needs of the communities in and around the Gorge. This new chapter for us is about opening doors wider, welcoming all voices, and building relationships that will sustain the Gorge for future generations. Our priorities are threefold: expanding our activist base to include diverse communities and voices; strengthening partnerships with allies at local, regional, state, and national levels; and building deeper relationships with local Tribes.
Building an Inclusive Conservation Movement
The most effective environmental protection movements require a wide network of participants. With the increasing threats of climate change, population pressures, and development, it’s crucial that our movement reflects all the communities connected to the Gorge. We need to invite more people to the table and ensure they feel welcome in our work, regardless of background.
One priority is to create an activist base that reflects the diversity of the Gorge itself. This means developing programs to engage communities of color, immigrant communities, young people, and others who have been historically underrepresented in conservation. Threats to the environment affect us all, but some communities feel a disproportionate amount of the impact. Our activist base should mirror that reality and create space for those most impacted to have a voice in the environment’s protection.
Currently, we are taking steps to make our programs more accessible to everyone, including translating materials into Spanish and collaborating with community partners to identify how we can better serve diverse communities. Looking ahead, Friends’ conservation team is particularly excited about our plans to expand youth outreach, engage schools, and inspire the next generation to lead the conservation charge.
Rebuilding & Strengthening Partnerships
A thriving Gorge depends on strong, collaborative partnerships. Over the years, Friends has had the privilege of working with countless agencies, nonprofits, and elected officials who share our passion for this place. Now, it’s time to strengthen those relationships and build new ones that reflect the urgent and multifaceted challenges we face.
With the support of partners at every level—local, regional, state, and national—we have an opportunity to advocate for policies that will support environmental stewardship and resilience. These connections are critical to protecting the Gorge from climate-related challenges, illegal development, and threats to air quality, as well as ensuring that future generations can experience the Gorge in all its natural splendor.
Honoring & Building Relationships with Local Tribes
Indigenous peoples have stewarded these lands since time immemorial, and their deep-rooted understanding of the Columbia Gorge is invaluable to our conservation efforts. As we embark on this new chapter, it’s essential to build respectful, long-lasting relationships with local Tribes. By acknowledging and honoring their role as the original caretakers of this land, we can work together to protect areas of cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance.
Our goal is to create spaces for meaningful dialogue with Tribal leaders and communities, learn from their knowledge as original stewards of the land, and incorporate that knowledge into our projects and policies. Conservation is not just about the land—it’s about the people connected to that land. With genuine, ongoing partnerships with local Tribes, we can build a foundation of shared responsibility and a mutual commitment to preserving the Gorge.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The Columbia Gorge is not only a natural wonder; it’s a place where diverse communities converge, each bringing their own unique connection to this landscape. We have an opportunity to unite these connections into a shared vision for the future—one where everyone, regardless of their background, feels invested in the Gorge’s protection.
Our mission is rooted in love and respect for this place, and it’s an honor to carry this mission forward in a way that reflects the strength, diversity, and resilience of our community. Together, we can protect the Columbia Gorge for generations to come.