Our Programs

Now in its 8th year, the Annual Sense of Place lecture series continues to deliver interesting, meaningful lectures that bring us closer to the human and natural history of The Columbia River Gorge. Each lecture draws, on average, 200 people looking to build a greater connection with the place they call home.

Green Drinks is a monthly networking event for business professionals, community thought leaders and residents interested in making meaningful connections and learning about sustainability issues.

The GO! Local Challenge incentivizes people to support local businesses and nonprofits by awarding raffle prizes, with locally owned, independent businesses in a one-month period of time and you could win a gift certificate from a local business.

Stories that will change your Sense of Place

A series of radio-documentary styled podcasts that tell compelling and under-recognized stories of the cultural history and life in the Columbia River Gorge region, home to a landscape that inspires and a community that shares a deep connection to the region and to each other. The Gorge has a rich cultural and natural history so that no matter who you are or where you are in the Gorge, that sense of place is inescapable — especially as you learn more about the region.

Empowering youth to connect with and engage in shaping the future of their communities.

Leaders for Tomorrow has been empowering high school students in the Columbia Gorge to connect with their community for more than 20 years. LFT engages youth and provides the tools they need to shape the future of their community. Through face-to-face contact with local business, government and community leaders, students discover what it means to build a community.

Annually during Earth Week, Gorge Owned awards the Tod J. LeFevre Sustainability Champion Awards. These awards celebrate individuals, businesses and students working on innovative, creative solutions to the environmental, economic and social issues facing the Gorge. This year, winners will be announced at the Gorge March for Science/Science Fair on Saturday, April 28 at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon. The Fair will begin at 9:30 AM with a procession of the species, followed by a science fair, speakers, and presentation of the Tod J. LeFevre Sustainability Award winners beginning at 10:30 AM. The March itself will start at noon.