Press Releases

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...