From public trails to endangered turtle habitat to beautiful viewpoints, Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust is one of the largest private landowners in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Since its creation in 2005, Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust has conserved 26 sites in the Gorge, for a total of 1,575 acres. These efforts have opened to the public thousands of acres of land, -such as the Cape Horn Overlook– that had previously been off-limits to visitors.
We work to remove non-native species, replant native vegetation, and protect fragile resources on land trust-owned preserves. We also actively work in concert with local community partners and federal, state, and local land managers to protect vital lands; promote sustainable hiking and recreation opportunities; promote stewardship; and protect and restore habitat for native wildlife.
In addition to their wildlife value, Friends preserves are vital in spreading the environmental and economic impacts of Gorge hiking beyond the waterfall corridor, and across the entire Gorge, from Washougal to Maryhill in Washington, and from Troutdale to Celilo in Oregon. Learn more: gorgefriends.org/landtrust
