Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Phone: (503) 241-3762
http://www.gorgefriends.org | info@gorgefriends.org
There's nowhere on Earth like the Columbia Gorge!
The unparalleled beauty of the Columbia Gorge is a treasure for all who live in the Pacific Northwest, and for visitors from around the world as well. We want to be sure it stays beautiful for generations to come, by ensuring that the National Scenic Area Act protections mandated by Congress are honored and upheld.
How we work:
Community organizing, educational outreach, political advocacy, a strong legal program, and our newly-formed land trust all help us reach our goals. We have been able to protect and open to the public places like Cape Horn.
We work with local citizens' groups and community organizations as well as the bi-state Gorge Commission and planning departments in the six counties and 13 urban areas in the Gorge to support active enforcement of the Gorge Management Plan. Skilled use of media, electronic communications, GIS mapping, and coalition-building are also central to our work.
Building support:
Friends offers more than 80 hikes and outings each year in spring and fall, from east of Dalles Mountain in Klickitat County to the Sandy River Delta at the west end of the Gorge. Friends' hikes and educational outings encourage appreciation of the treasure that is the Columbia Gorge.
Our stewardship program includes hands-on work dealing with invasive species and native habitat restoration and trail work. We offer educational forums and community presentations about stewardship efforts to protect the 800+ species of flowering plants in the Columbia Gorge.
We love volunteers!
Volunteer hike leaders and shepherds, computer and clerical support, citizen activists, and legal assistants are all part of the team working to protect the Gorge. If you'd like to get involved, or have special skills you'd like to put to use with Friends, email us or call 503-241-3762 today.
The threats:
As the population of the Pacific Northwest grows, the Gorge faces increased development pressures despite the protections of the Act. Threats include a proposed megacasino development in the heart of the Gorge at Cascade Locks, expanded clearcut logging and "forest health" initiatives, “McMansions” and development sprawl, air pollution, invasive plant species, and loss of wildlife habitat.
You can help protect the Gorge:
To take action and to learn more about protecting the Columbia Gorge, check our website at www.gorgefriends.org. You can subscribe to our Email Action and Announcements list from our homepage.
