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Nancy Russell: A Force for Nature Former Friends executive director writes story of organization's founder and the effort to federally protect the Gorge

By Stan Hall, Digital Communications Manager

All photos from Friends' archive except where noted.

The story of Friends of the Columbia Gorge founder Nancy Russell’s campaign to protect and preserve the Columbia Gorge is told in rich detail in a book published in Oct. 2022 by Oregon State University’s OSU Press: A Force for Nature: Nancy Russell’s Fight to Save the Columbia Gorge. The account of Russell's life and work was written by environmental attorney and first-time author Bowen Blair,.

Blair relates Russell’s story from an interesting perspective, since he himself played a significant role in the efforts to establish the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As chair of Friends’ board, Russell recruited Blair to join Friends as its first executive director in 1982. He was serving in that role in 1986, when the dream of a federally protected Columbia Gorge became reality.

Author Bowen Blair, in 1987 (foreground, left; Friends archive), and 2022 (courtesy of Bowen Blair).

While working with Russell, Blair understood that her determination was a decisive factor in that success. As he put it, “It never occurred to Nancy—although it did to everyone else—that the Act might not pass. She would make sure that it did. Her focus, passion, and physical and emotional strength complemented this determination, and Nancy was smart, competitive, and fun to be around as well.”

Top left: Nancy Russell with her children at Fairy Falls, 1971; Top right: Nancy playing to win, 1970s; Bottom: her husband Bruce Russell painting at their beloved South 40 property, eastern Gorge, 1970s.

Of the book, Blair said, "It is the incredible story of a woman who apparently had none of the classic skills needed to create this major campaign. Nancy didn’t have the background in nonprofit work or fundraising. She didn’t have an organizing background. Yet she did have those skills. It’s the story of a woman who against all odds succeeded, even when there were many setbacks, many times when it appeared her and her allies' efforts would fail.”

Nancy in waterfall alley, 1987. (The Oregonian)
Left: Nancy (seated, far end of table) at November 1980 Portland Garden Club press conference that led to founding of Friends of the Columbia Gorge. Right: Nancy and John Yeon, who recruited her to take up the cause of federal protection for the Gorge, at a Friends picnic; undated photo.
Nancy in 1996 with Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, whose support in Congress for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act was crucial to its becoming law.
Left: "Wildflower fan Nancy Russell views a bleeding heart through the jeweler's loupe she takes on hikes in the Columbia Gorge." (The Oregonian photo and caption, May 1987). Right: Nancy on a Gorge trail, March 1994 (The Oregonian.)

In addition to researching Russell’s life and career, as Blair became closer to her before her death in 2008, he learned more about her personal background. “I was surprised by the obstacles Nancy faced when she was young,” he said. “As a girl, the Great Depression uprooted her family. When she was a young mother, her child Hardy died as a toddler. Early in her life, Nancy needed the strength and resilience that would later define her.”

Above: Nancy at Memaloose Hills, April 2004. (Photo: Aubrey Russell). Right: Nancy smiles at celebration of Friends' 25th anniversary, November 2005. (Friends archive)
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