Wildflower Fest Keynote Speaker: Kevin Gorman

Supported by a recent art installation that imagines the Gorge without its protective designation, Kevin’s talk will trace how the Columbia River Gorge became the place we know and love—and how it might have looked without decades of community-driven preservation. He’ll also share the latest efforts by Friends of the Gorge to address today’s most pressing conservation challenges and their vision for the future. 

This keynote is more than a lecture—it’s an invitation to reflect, connect, and deepen our understanding of the land we call home. Come learn how public engagement, policy, and preservation have shaped our region—and how you can help protect it for generations to come. 

Want a preview? 

● Read What if the National Scenic Area Never Existed?—an in-depth article exploring the alternate future that could have been without landmark protections in place.