Friends led the fight to create the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area over 40 years ago. We’ve been working ever since to safeguard the Gorge and ensure its natural wonders will be preserved for future generations.
Cape Horn panorama. Photo by Kenji Sugahara.
What We Do
Protect & Conserve
Protecting the Gorge from the Impacts of Climate Change
By working with local and state governments, organizing the public, and building climate resilience on lands across the Gorge, Friends is on the frontlines of protecting the Gorge from the impacts of climate change.
Journey Through Friends’ History
Since 1980, Friends of the Columbia Gorge has worked to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge for future generations.
Activists deliver petitions against fossil-fuel terminals to the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, 2017. (photo courtesy of Stand Up to Oil coalition)
Advocacy Campaigns
Friends empowers community members to mobilize and advocate for the protection of the Gorge’s scenic beauty, natural habitats, cultural heritage, and recreational spaces.
Mosier Plateau. Photo by Cate Hotchkiss.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust
Based out of Hood River, Oregon, Friends’ Land Trust works to preserve scenic Gorge landscapes, safeguard and steward sensitive lands, and provide public hiking trails.
Hiking through Tom McCall Nature Preserve.
Gorge Towns to Trails
Gorge Towns to Trails aims to create a 200-mile trail loop encircling the Gorge, connecting communities, promoting recreation and sustainable transit, and protecting lands for wildlife conservation.
The Zimmerly mine (in the foreground) in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Photo by Brady Holden.
Enforcing Gorge Protection Laws
Friends is a citizen watchdog group ensuring enforcement of laws related to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Latest News
Keep updated on Friends' work, news stories, and the work happening in the Columbia Gorge.
Funding from LWCF helped ensure the protection of Catherine Creek. Photo by Robby Miller.
Trump’s Budget Aims to Pillage Conservation Funds
June 5, 2025
The Trump administration’s FY26 budget proposes redirecting roughly $387 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s (LWCF) federal land acquisition budget to fund “deferred maintenance”—that is, repairs to trails, […]
Friends Announces Winners of 2025 Photo Contest
May 25, 2025
Friends of the Columbia Gorge is proud to announce the winners of our 2025 photo contest, "Lenscape: Through Nature's Eyes," including grand prize winner Paloma Ayala.
Dog Mountain, by Michael Orwick.
301 Gallery and Friends of the Columbia Gorge Collaborate to Present INSPIRED! II Art Exhibition
May 20, 2025
Following the success of last year’s inaugural show, 301 Gallery and Friends of the Columbia Gorge are excited to announce INSPIRED! II, an art exhibition opening this summer in downtown […]
