𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲. 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁. 🔊 You'll want your sound on for this one. Meet The Zimmerly Grinch (aka the "Zinch"), a gravel-slinging Scenic-Area scofflaw with a long track record of courtroom faceplants. Inspired by the real-life recidivism of the company behind the illegal Zimmerly mine in Washougal, Washington, this pint-sized polluter keeps trying (and failing… and failing… and failing…) to illegally mine in the protected Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. With noisy polluting trucks, no permits, and a total disregard for law, landscape, and wildlife, little Zinchy is back at it again, but so are the people fighting to protect this national treasure. Enjoy our rhyming adventure through the Gorge, where courts, communities, and conservationists take a stand against environmental destruction. We're thrilled to announce that Zinchy's losing streak continued yesterday when the Gorge Commission ruled that Zimmerly's unpermitted drainage ditches are illegal structures that require permits. The ruling also faulted the company for failing to investigate and disclose multiple seeps and springs on the property—features that may be protected water resources under Scenic Area rules. Sorry little buddy. Scorched-earth schemes don’t stand a chance against people who actually care about the law. (fb)

Victory for the Columbia Gorge! Thanks to the incredible advocacy of our supporters who sent emails to and called Washington state legislators in huge numbers, the Washington State House and Senate have agreed to fund the Columbia River Gorge Commission for the 2025–27 biennium! While the Commission will be funded, it comes with a major challenge: Washington’s final budget included a 27% cut, funding the Commission at $1.6 million instead of the $2.2 million requested. Because Oregon is required by law to match Washington’s funding level, Oregon will also reduce its contribution by 27%. This means the Gorge Commission will be operating with fewer resources at a time when strong, consistent management is more important than ever. Still, this is a victory worth celebrating. Without your voices, this agency—our Scenic Area’s frontline protector—might have been eliminated entirely. Your advocacy made the difference. The fight to keep the Gorge protected continues, but today we celebrate this hard-fought win. Thank you for standing with us—and with the Gorge! (fb)