A few weeks ago we got to spend sometime in our "sort of" backyard — Portland — but this week we got to get our hands dirty for conservation in our actual backyard: Bend! We had forty employees from local member companies participate in trail building, garbage removal, and invasive tree removal in the…
President Obama announced that he has designated September National Wilderness Month. In his proclamation he said: "Together, we must ensure that future generations can experience the tranquility and grandeur of America's natural places. As we resolve to meet this responsibility, let us also reflect on the ways in which our lives have been enriched…
Restoring free-flowing rivers is no small task, but sometimes, we get the chance to celebrate victories. There's certainly reason to celebrate in Oregon where the Western Environmental Law Center, representing Rogue Flyfishers, Rogue Riverkeeper, and Waterwatch of Oregon, has been working extensively to ensure the removal of Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue River. …
It's not often that timber and conservation groups agree here in Oregon, but yesterday a major timber industry group announced that they support a proposed wilderness expansion along one of the state's signature rivers. From the Associated Press: Conservation groups hoping to expand the wilderness area along Oregon's most popular whitewater run announced Monday that…
Save Wild Salmon from Epicocity Project on Vimeo. From Osprey Packs: The Obama administration is poised to make a decision this week that could change the fate of endangered species in this country. On May 20, the Administration will release a federal salmon plan that will do one of two things for endangered wildlife: protect…
Conservation Alliance grantee, WaterWatch of Oregon, is again celebrating a victory in their Free the Rogue Campaign. The Gold Ray Dam is slated for removal in August and September of 2010. Once completed, the removal of Gold Ray Dam will be the fourth major dam removal in the Rogue Basin in the last three years. …
It’s been nearly 20 years since Patagonia teamed up with Save Our Wild Salmon to take on what seemed like the impossible: remove four dams on the Lower Snake River to clear a path for Idaho’s iconic salmon. Today, we’re closer than ever to making it all happen. And Patagonia has remained an unwavering ally….
The Conservation Alliance and member company Filson co-hosted an event at the Filson retail store in Portland to raise awareness about the campaign to protect 18,000 acres of Wilderness along the Wild and Scenic John Day River in Oregon. Senator Ron Wyden, pictured above with Alliance Executive Director John Sterling, has introduced legislation to protect…
This week, the Conservation Alliance granted $400,000 to 15 organizations. With the strong support of our member companies, we are looking forward to a year of more conservation victories! Protecting mountains in Appalachia from mountaintop removal, to saving a climbing wall in Washington for future generations, and working to remove four dams on the Lower…
Join the Conservation Alliance, Filson and the Oregon Natural Desert Association to learn more about wilderness along the John Day River, and how we can protect this prized jewel of the Oregon high desert. When: 7p.m. on April 5 Where: Filson Portland, 526 NW 13th Ave in the Pearl District RSVP: devon@onda.org Hope to see…
Yesterday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed agreements for the nation's largest-ever dam-removal project. In an effort to recover endangered salmon populations, the agreements will remove four dams on the Klamath River and revise how water is shared in the basin in southern Oregon and Northern…
On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge James Redden, who is hearing the long-running legal challenge to the Columbia-Snake River Basin salmon plan, rejected the Obama administration's eleventh-hour bid to salvage the Bush-era plan. In his letter, Redden said, "federal defendents must comply with the [Endangered Species Act]." Redden has twice before rejected federal salmon…
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…
