Press Releases

June 5, 2012

Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area Secures 400 Additional Acres

MESA COUNTY,CO - A 400-acres in-holding along the Gunnison River in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is now in public hands. Full news release...

June 4, 2012

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Launches 'Wild Rivers' Campaign June 1

CHICO, CA - The fourth annual Wild Rivers campaign, dedicated to helping preserve vital waterways across the country, launches today. Full news release...

April 2, 2012

Lower Deer Creek Falls - Protected at Last

NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CA - WRC and the Northern California Regional Land Trust conserved 600 acres of land along Deer Creek, a premier hiking destination and salmon stronghold, within the Lassen National Forest. Full news release...

October 4, 2011

Important Fish Habitat Conserved Along Wild and Scenic Salmon River

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OR - WRC and the BLM conserved 245 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat along Boulder Creek, a tributary to the Wild and Scenic Salmon River in the Sandy River basin. Full news release...

October 3, 2011

WRC Conveys Bear River Property, Expands Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

BRIGHAM CITY, UT - A crucial piece of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem was conserved today when WRC conveyed 580 acres of Bear River property to the USFWS. Full news release...

August 1, 2011

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Launches 'Wild Rivers' Campaign Aug. 1

CHICO, CA - The third annual Wild Rivers campaign, dedicated to helping preserve vital waterways across the country, launches today. Full news release...

April 14, 2011

WRC Works with Yurok Tribe to Acquire more than 22,000 Acres on the Klamath River

KLAMATH, CA - A large land acquisition project was completed today on California’s Redwood Coast to conserve habitat, restore water quality and reestablish indigenous territory along the lower Klamath River. Full news release...

April 1, 2011

WRC Acquires Prized Grande Ronde River Put-in

MINAM, OR - Prized access to one of the most beautiful river floats in Oregon was secured today with Western Rivers Conservancy's purchase of the Minam Store property. Full news release...

November 2, 2011

Land Deal will Protect Oregon Estuary

WALDPORT, Oregon -- Western Rivers Conservancy purchased 287 acres from Forest Capital Partners on Drift Creek and Alsea River Estuary. Full news release...

July 30, 2010

Enjoy Great Beer, Support Great Rivers: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will Launch ‘Wild Rivers’ Campaign Aug. 1

CHICO, Calif. -- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will launch the "Wild Rivers" campaign August 1 to help preserve vital waterways across the country. Full news release...

November 19, 2009

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Acquires South Fork Trinity River Property

REDDING, Calif. -- The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has added a 160-acre parcel of land on the South Fork of the Trinity River. This pristine Coho salmon habitat was purchased from Western Rivers Conservancy using Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) funds. Full news release (pdf)...

September 30, 2009
Oregon State Parks Purchases First Portion of Ranch along John Day River from Western Rivers Conservancy

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has made an initial purchase of more than 2,400 acres along the lower John Day River from the Western Rivers Conservancy that will eventually become a new state park. Full news release...

February 15, 2008
Conservancy Completes Protection of Goose Creek

In one of the most significant recent accomplishments for California rivers, the Smith River’s largest tributary, Goose Creek, is now forever protected.  More...

January 30, 2008
Important Fish Habitat Conserved Along Wild and Scenic Salmon River

Western Rivers Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today the conservation of 30 acres of fish and wildlife habitat along the Wild and Scenic Salmon River just west of Mount Hood. More...

June 25, 2007
Salmon Sculptures Point to Sandy River Land Conservation & Dam Removals

Portland, OR -- A colorful display of large salmon sculptures will swim through Portland this summer to benefit conservation of Portland’s backyard treasure, the Sandy River. More (pdf)...

May 23, 2007
Forest Land along Little Sandy River Conserved for Habitat Protection

Sandy, OR -- Western Rivers Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management announced today the conservation of 160 acres of forestland along the Little Sandy River for scenic and habitat protection just east of Portland. More...

February 4, 2006
Sandy River Forestland Conserved for Historic Oregon Trail Project, Habitat Protection

Sandy, OR -- Western Rivers Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management announced today the conservation of 78 acres of forestland in the Sandy River basin for scenic and habitat protection just east of Portland. More...

September 28, 2005
$2 million Grant Awarded for Hoh River

Seattle, WA -- Two conservation organizations, the Hoh River Trust and Western Rivers Conservancy, hailed the announcement today of a $2 million federal grant to buy and conserve land along the Hoh River, a legendary salmon stream on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. More...

August 3, 2004
BLM awards Western Rivers Conservancy, Portland General Electric for work on the Sandy River

Sandy, OR -- Sandy partners celebrate 40th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. More...

May 11, 2004
Western Rivers Conservation Award Goes to PGE Staff for Sandy River Work

Portland, OR -- Western Rivers Conservancy recognized today the dedicated work of two Portland General Electric (PGE) staff to remove dams and protect habitat on the Sandy River. More...

December 15, 2003
$3 Million Grant Awarded for Hoh River Basin, Washington

Portland, OR -- Western Rivers Conservancy has been awarded a $3 million grant by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS) through the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for land conservation along the Hoh River, on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. More...

October 6, 2003
Score One for the Salmon: Illinois River Protected in Land Purchase

Curry County, OR -- A five-year effort to protect one of Oregon's premier salmon rivers paid off today. More...

April 30, 2002
Sandy River Conservation Effort Comes to a Successful Conclusion

Sandy, OR -- A crucial stretch of the middle Sandy River has been permanently protected from gravel mining and placed in public ownership thanks to the Oregon Congressional delegation and a partnership of agencies. More...

May 1, 2001
Western Rivers Conservancy Preserves More Property Along the Sandy River

Sandy, OR -- A crucial stretch of the middle Sandy River has been permanently protected from gravel mining thanks to a Portland-based river conservation organization. More...

September 2, 2001
Western Rivers Conservancy Protects Willamette River Floodplain Property

Albany, OR -- A non-profit river conservation organization, a Tribal Foundation, and a handful of government agencies collaborated to conserve a critical piece of Willamette River floodplain. More...

April 11, 2001
Sandy River Conservation Protect Gets Major Boost

Sandy, OR -- Fish and wildlife habitat will be protected and public recreation will be enhanced in the Sandy River Basin thanks to a unique collaborative effort spearheaded by Western Rivers Conservancy and the Oregon Congressional delegation, the Bureau of Land Management, and Portland General Electric. More...

March, 2001
Packard Foundation Gives $1.5 Million to Support Chico Nature Preserve

Portland, OR -- Western Rivers Conservancy announced today that it has been awarded a grant of $1,564,024 from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation of Los Altos, CA. The grant will help Western River Conservancy purchase a 2,724-acre nature preserve along 2.5 miles of Big Chico Creek just east of Chico, California. More...

Feb. 1, 2000
Agreement Sets in Motion Efforts to Protect 1,180 Acres of Sandy River Habitat

Portland, OR -- A long sought-after agreement to save a crucial stretch of the Sandy River from a proposed aggregate mining operation was signed today between the River Conservancy, a nonprofit, organization, and the owners of the historic Koch Ranch on Minsinger Bottom, Richard and Janie Dodge. More...

Aug. 7, 2000
University Research Foundation Acquires Big Chico Creek Preserve

Chico, CA -- A nature preserve has been created on Big Chico Creek to provide educational opportunities for students and a refuge for Sacramento River chinook salmon, thanks to a partnership between the Research Foundation of California State University, Chico and conservation organizations. More...