Protecting the beautiful rivers, wild lands and legendary botanical diversity of Oregon's Kalmiopsis Country

The Kalmiopsis | An American Treasure

The Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the unprotected North & South Kalmiopsis Roadless Areas are known as the greater Kalmiopsis Wildlands or Kalmiopsis Mountains. This river-rich region is home to the National Wild & Scenic Illinois, Chetco and North Fork Smith rivers, plus five U.S. Forest Service eligible wild and scenic rivers—also known as candidate wild and scenic rivers.

Here you’ll find Jeffrey pine savannas, unique wetlands, and some of the rarest plants on earth. With the rest of the Oregon/California Wild Rivers Coast, it’s the last best wild salmon stronghold on the West Coast, south of the Olympics.

For millennia, this rugged wild landscape has served as a climate refuge for species from surrounding regions. However, the ancient geology of the South Kalmiopsis Wildlands holds the greatest threat to the region’s priceless rivers and pure drinking water—strip mining for nickel. Learn more at Protect Kalmiopsis Rivers.

April 30, 2018

The Biscuit Fire: Time to bury the myth

The Biscuit Fire: Time to bury the myth
Introduction and fall of 2018 update On July 13, 2002, a lightning storm ignited five fires in southwest Oregon's rugged river-rich Kalmiopsis region. Four of the fires, plus massive U.S. Forest Service burnout operations (part… read more
September 8, 2017

Thunderstorms bring half inch of rain to heart of Chetco Bar fire, other parts see cooler temperatures

Thunderstorms bring half inch of rain to heart of Chetco Bar fire, other parts see cooler temperatures
A series of thunderstorms moved through southwest Oregon and northwest California on September 6th and 7th bringing cooler temperatures, relief from smoke, intermittent rain, and unfortunately lightning. What effect the storms had on the Chetco… read more
October 23, 2015

Fall on the Wild and Scenic Illinois River | Little Falls

Fall color and wild salmon on the Wild and Scenic Illinois River | Little Falls
The Wild and Scenic Illinois River, leaves civilization and heads into the wilds of Southwestern Oregon's Kalmiopsis backcountry. This is one of the most underappreciated, beautiful stretches of river on the West Coast and fall… read more
April 26, 2015

Senators Wyden, Merkley and Rep. DeFazio all present to celebrate Oregon Caves National Monument Preserve

Oregon Caves National Monument Preserve celebrated
When Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve Superintendent Vicki Snitzler pointed to a ridge top marking the park's new boundary at a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 10th, a crowd that included Senators Ron Wyden… read more
January 3, 2015

Help permanently protect Cathedral Hills Park

Help permantely protect Cathedral Hills Park
Cathedral Hills Park is a 560 acre woodland minutes from downtown Grants Pass. It's to Grants Pass, what Central Park is to New City and a delight any time of year. Best of all, enjoying… read more
August 18, 2014

Cathedral Hills Park is threatened. You can help.

Cathedral Hills Park is threatened. You can help.
Cathedral Hills is to Grants Pass as Central Park is to New York—or close to it. Only no one would think of constructing a 60 foot wide road through Central Park or managing it for… read more
June 26, 2014

Grants Pass Courier endorses Oregon Caves expansion

Grants Pass Courier endorses Oregon Caves expansion
In a June 25th editorial, the Grants Pass Courier endorsed the Oregon Caves expansion. Calling the National Monument the "crown jewel of Josephine County," the  Courier editorial says it's time to act on legislation that's… read more
June 19, 2014

Expanding protection for Oregon Caves National Monument

Expanding protection for Oregon Caves National Monument
Like most places, we have our prophets of doom in Southwest Oregon. They oppose just about everything—even the most modest proposals, such as a bill expanding protection for the Oregon Caves National Monument. The… read more
February 11, 2014

Senator Wyden’s Grants Pass town hall meeting

Senator Wyden’s Grants Pass town hall meeting
Local coverage of Senator Wyden's Grants Pass town hall failed to capture important issues raised by the estimated 150 people who attended.  In recognition of the many who traveled from the Applegate and Illinois Valley's… read more
April 20, 2012

Coho Recovery Plan

Coho Recovery Plan
Update—May 25, 2012: The comment period has ended for the Draft Recovery Plan for coho salmon populations in Southern Oregon and Northern California. The draft plan identified Coho Salmon Core Recovery Watersheds for the region.… read more