Friends of the Columbia Gorge’s 2025-27 strategic plan covers a transformative three-year period that will positively impact local communities, land conservation, and our organization for years to come.
Cape Horn panorama. Photo by Kenji Sugahara.
Friends of the columbia gorge
Keep the Columbia Gorge Wondrous, Wild, and Open to All
What we do
Protect, Preserve, and Steward the Columbia Gorge
Friends of the Columbia Gorge protects the wonders of the Gorge through conservation advocacy, litigation, land conservation, and community engagement.
Our Vision
A flourishing Columbia Gorge…
teeming with diverse wildlife and plants, supported by secure habitats and clean water systems that sustain an abundance of life.
Cape Horn Rendering, by Mayer/Reed.
Land and Communities in Harmony
Intentional land-use planning fosters affordable house within established Urban Areas, while innovative economic development creates meaningful employment opportunities for locals.
Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail, one of the first locations for a Caminemos Juntos event.
Accessible Natural Wonders
More recreational areas are thoughtfully designed to welcome diverse visitors, ensuring everyone can experience the Gorge’s wonders.
Alashík Preserve. Photo by Monique Trevett.
Sustainable Ecosystems
Native plants. forests, ranches, and agricultural lands thrive with access to vital resources like water and fertile soil. These landscapes not only support local farms and business but also play a crucial role in carbon sequestration.
Sherrie Davis and Ed Edmo. Photo by Paloma Ayala.
Cultural and Indigenous Stewardship
Indigenous traditions are honored, with traditional ecological knowledge guiding the stewardship of healthy ecosystems. Indigenous community members continue to use the land and water in culturally significant ways.
Our Role
Friends collaborates with an array of stakeholders—including members, volunteers, public officials, nonprofit partners, and Gorge residents—to bring this vision to life.
By fostering authentic relationships and building coalitions, Friends leverages its core programs in conservation advocacy, land protection, litigation, and community engagement to create lasting change. Together, we ensure the Columbia Gorge remains a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient treasure for generations to come.
Goal 1
A growing variety of community members engage in conservation, protection, and climate resilience efforts in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
- Friends creates and nurtures belonging and inclusivity, honoring first stories and welcoming a board diversity of community members to be immersed in and inspired by the Gorge’s grandeur.
- Authentic relationships amplify Friends’ ability to protect, preserve and steward the Gorge.
- Opportunities for all to engage with Friends’ work provides a diversity of communities with a variety of ways to experience and conserve the Gorge.
Goal 2
Scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources are protected and enhanced in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, contributing to improved habitat quality, climate resilience, and regional livability.
- Legislation, public policies, and litigation protect the National Scenic Ara and enhance resource protection, climate resilience, and regional livability.
- Land with conservation values in the Gorge is protected through acquisitions and equitable transfers.
- Habitat in the Gorge is enhanced and improved to protect and increase habitat connectivity and biodiversity that support climate resilience.
- Conservation-minded recreation on Friends’ preserves and adjoining public lands increases accessibility and engages diverse communities.
- Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous leadership in conservation is honored, amplified, and reinforced to support Native ways of living with the land.
Goal 3
Friends of the Columba Gorge is impactful, resilient, and sustainable.
- Mission, vision, values, and culture unites staff, volunteers, and board members in a shared sense of purpose, collaboration and belonging.
- A broad and diverse base of support provides public, private, and individual funding, in addition to business partnerships and volunteerism.
- Staff, volunteers, and board members diverse in lived and learned experiences thrive in their roles.
- Operations support a resilient and sustainable organization that strives to reduce carbon footprint and improve social equity through its actions.
Latest News
Keep updated on Friends' work, news stories, and the work happening in the Columbia Gorge.
Beacon Rock. Photo by Jeremiah Leipold.
Columbia River Gorge Commission Avoids Defunding, Faces 27 Percent Budget Cut
April 28, 2025
The press release below was sent to media outlets across the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, April 28, 2025. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Wash., April 28, 2025 – The Columbia River Gorge Commission, […]
Washington House Votes to Defund the Columbia River Gorge Commission
April 3, 2025
The press release below was sent to media outlets across the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, April 3, 2025. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Wash., April 3, 2025 – The Columbia River Gorge […]
What if the National Scenic Area Never Existed?
December 23, 2024
The Columbia Gorge would be a very different place without the protections of the National Scenic Area. Unchecked residential, commercial, and industrial development would have consumed parts of it, transforming cliffs, […]