35 Innovators Under 35: Meet Kelley Beamer

(Note: Starting in mid-August, Kelley will be working as Oregon Advocacy and Outreach Manager for Cascadia Green Building Council)

Kelley Beamer, Conservation Organizer for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, is a leader in the fight to protect the scenic jewel that is the Columbia River Gorge.

Upon graduation from the University of Notre Dame, she combined her love of the outdoors with a passion for travel by leading cycling and hiking trips throughout the United States. Four years of tours through the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and the San Juan Islands offered a rich opportunity to experience some of our country’s most scenic landscape.

“I began to feel like I wanted to do more than just take people to these beautiful places," Beamer said. "I wanted to learn how to protect them as well.”

So after biking to Washington DC from her Portland home, Beamer traded in her two wheels to begin graduate school studying environmental policy at American University. That led to a stint as a Policy Associate at the Wilderness Society, where she worked on campaigns to stop drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and increase funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge is the beneficiary of Beamer's experience and diverse skillset. She currently works with the organization's volunteer base, updates their website and database, holds public speaking events, and leads trail hikes. Last year, she organized a Washington, D.C trip for local activists to help lobby against the proposal to build a casino in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

"The Gorge is such a unique treasure," Beamer elaborated, "It's absolutely the wrong place for a casino the size of 65 Portland city blocks."

"Young people are moving to Portland - and Oregon - because they are personally inspired by the landscape, by access to outdoor recreation, by the treasure trove of resources at their fingertips," Beamer said. "In terms of getting the next generation involved, we need to encourage youth to take action and make their voices heard in creative, innovate ways."

That is exactly what Beamer would like to continue doing in her role as Gorge advocate.  She happily sees herself furthering the group’s efforts to secure additional funding for Gorge protection.

"I’m inspired by the work of land trusts, and will continue to pursue my passion protecting our landscapes and open spaces," Beamer said. "There is no more powerful a way of doing this than by purchasing land off the table from development - to ensure access for the public forever."