Oregon needs more wilderness, according to the Eugene Register-Guard and Senators Merkley and Wyden. And we couldn't agree more! Conservation Alliance grantee the Oregon Natural Desert Association has been working hard to secure the Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock Wilderness, and now we're one step closer. From the Eugene Register-Guard: "The proposed Cathedral Rock and…
To secure the long-term protection of 150,000 acres of rainforest in Oregon’s North Coast Range, providing critical habitat for dozens of rare and threatened species as well as outdoor recreation opportunities for the region, including world-class fishing, hiking, camping and mountain biking.
Conservation Alliance grantee Oregon Natural Desert Association announced that Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkely introduced legislation yesterday to protect two new Wilderness areas in the John Day River Basin. The Cathedral Rock (photo above) and Horse Heaven Wilderness areas together comprise 18,000 acres of public land adjacent to or near the Wild and…
Our funding supported WaterWatch’s Free the Rogue Campaign to complete the removal of three major dams on the Rogue River, freeing the lower 157 miles from recreational and fish passage barriers, boosting salmon and steelhead runs by an estimated 114,000 fish and finalizing the largest instream transfer of water in Oregon’s history. The removal of…
After years of dedicated effort, Conservation Alliance grantee WaterWatch succeeded in its effort to remove the Savage Rapids Dam from Oregon's Rogue River. Crews completed the removal project — ahead of schedule — on October 10 at 11 AM. The Rogue now runs free for 153 miles. Check out the two videos below. The first is…
Conservation Alliance grantee Western Rivers Conservancy reports key progress in its effort to protect the 8,000-acre Murtha Ranch on Oregon's John Day River. The effort would also secure an 8,000-acre BLM grazing lease, placing more than 16,000 acres into conservation ownership. Western Rivers' goal is to transfer ownership of the ranch to Oregon State Parks….
Conservation Alliance grantee WaterWatch led the effort to remove the Savage Rapids Dam on Oregon's Rogue River. Removal began in May, and will conclude in December. The project will clear a major obstacle to fish passage on the Rogue, renowned for its whitewater boating and fishing. WaterWatch has posted on their website some amazing photos…
Conservation Alliance grantee WaterWatch played a key role in securing a $5 million stimulus program grant to remove Gold Ray Dam, a defunct hydropower dam on the main stem of Oregon's Rogue River. With the removal of Savage Rapids Dam this year, Gold Ray Dam remains the last barrier to fish passage and recreation on…
On Friday, July 10 employees from six Portland area Conservation Alliance member companies joined together for a day of trail restoration in Portland's Forest Park. The work of nearly 50 volunteers from KEEN, REI, Columbia, Lizard Lounge, Horny Toad, Nau created significant results for the Forest Park Conservancy, our host organization. In addition to these participating…
When the sun shines in Seattle it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Last Friday ConservationNEXT pulled together the third in a series of four Northwest Backyard Collectives on a beautiful, sunny Seattle day. Nearly 100 volunteers met in West Seattle's Lincoln Park for a full day of park restoration. The crews from…
On Friday, May 8, 70 volunteers from the Bend area joined The Conservation Alliance for a day of field work in the sunny Badlands. This enthusiastic group was a collection of individuals that work for local Conservation Alliance member companies Ruff Wear, Footzone, Pandora's Backpack, Moon Photo and Quick Feat International, as well as representatives…
WaterWatch announces that removal of the Savage Rapids Dam on Oregon's Rogue River will commence next week. The 39-foot irrigation diversion dam is considered the greatest fish killer on the Rogue, a river renowned for its fishing and whitewater rafting. The dam removal process takes time, but Savage Rapids should be completely removed by…
The Conservation Alliance approved grants totaling $400,000 to 15 organizations working to protect wild places throughout North America. The donations marked the Alliance's first funding disbursal for 2009, and bring total giving to more than $7.4 million since the organization's founding in 1989. Click here to view a complete summary of the grants. "Our membership has…
Teague Hatfield, owner of Alliance member FootZone of Bend was recognized by the Campaign for America's Wilderness for his commitment to Wilderness protection for The Badlands, a 30,000-acre desert wildland outside of his home in Bend, Oregon. Congratulations to Teague for this much-deserved recognition. Check out the article here. On an unrelated note, Teague's shop…
To complete the removal of the two remaining major dams on the lower Rogue River in the next two years, freeing the lower 157 miles of the river from recreational and fish passage barriers, boosting salmon and steelhead runs by an estimated 114,000 fish and finalizing the largest instream transfer of water in Oregon’s history…
To protect more than 100,000 acres of Wilderness and an additional 25 miles of Wild and Scenic River in Oregon’s John Day River Basin.
WaterWatch of Oregon succeeded in its effort to remove Savage Rapids Dam on Oregon’s Rogue River. With the removal, the Rogue now runs free for 143 miles. The Rogue is famous for its whitewater paddling and fishing.
Central Oregon LandWatch succeeded in its campaign to convince the Oregon legislature to designate the entire Metolius River basin an Area of Critical Statewide Concern. The designation halted two proposed destination resorts that would have significantly diminished the natural qualities of this Central Oregon watershed.
Situated 20 miles east of Bend, Oregon, The Badlands is the city’s backyard Wilderness area. Oregon Natural Desert Association worked for nearly 20 years to secure Wilderness protection for the 30,000-acre area notable for its ancient junipers, volcanic rock formations, and Native American cultural sites.
A large package of public lands bills was introduced into the Senate last week that would protect more than two million acres of land and 1000 miles of rivers throughout the US. More than a dozen projects funded by The Conservation Alliance are included in the package. Provisions include: new Wilderness designations in Oregon, California,…
