Size: 105 acres
Location: Klickitat County, WA
Acquired: 2023

Heartleaf Bluffs is one of Friends’ most beautiful preserves, spanning 105 acres in the Eastern Gorge. Located just above the Balfour-Klickitat Day Use Area and across the river from the Tom McCall Preserve, the property features stunning oak woodlands, vernal pools, vibrant wildflowers, and sweeping views of the Columbia Gorge—making it a true gem of the region. 

Friends’ acquisition of the property prevented it from being developed for two multi-million-dollar homesites. As a newly acquired preserve, Friends is still conducting thorough habitat assessments. However, initial observations reveal critical oak woodlands, vernal ponds that burst with life, and meadows filled with wildflowers. The preserve is named after heartleaf buckwheat, a plant that flourishes throughout the property. Some species observed at the preserve include fairy shrimp in the vernal ponds, black-tailed deer, coyote, red fox, and rattlesnake. Bird species include American kestrel, ash-throated flycatcher, pygmy nuthatch, belted kingfisher, Western bluebird, and bald eagle.

Heartleaf Bluffs is Friends’ largest land investment to date. To learn more about the Heartleaf Bluffs acquisition, click or tap the story link, photo gallery, and video below.