Who are the Friends?

The Friends are people who renew nature and enhance recreation in the Greater Mt. Pisgah area. Because people and nature need each other.
The Friends are an ally and assistant to landowners in the Greater Mt. Pisgah area. The Mt. Pisgah area is greater than the sum of its parts.
We're a nonprofit with over 1,000 members and volunteers who invest time, energy, and money into conserving Mt. Pisgah's natural treasure. People and nature thriving together in the greater Mt. Pisgah area.

The Friends mission is to protect and enhance native ecosystems and compatible recreation in the Mt. Pisgah area.

Founded in 1989, Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, works to conserve the Mt. Pisgah area's incredible botanical, wildlife and recreational values. The Friends mobilize funding, scientific expertise and volunteer resources to improve the botanical, fish, wildlife and recreational values on and around Buford Park.

Since 2000, the Friends have raised and invested over $2 million in habitat and trail projects, plus volunteer contributions valued at over $1,000,000. Our activites include:

• Enhancing recreation by improving trails to protect the park's native beauty.
• Nurturing native habitats through scientific restoration projects.
• Cultivating a culture of stewardship through community involvement and volunteer service.
• Advocating for land protection and landowner collaboration in the greater Mt. Pisgah area.

What’s the difference between Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah and Mount Pisgah Arboretum?

Mount Pisgah Arboretum manages a 209-acre leased area within the 2,300-acre Buford Park. Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah is a separate organization formed to enhance the remaining 2,100 acres in Buford Park and advocate for land protection and acquisition. Though separate organizations, together we help care for Buford Park’s natural and recreational values in partnership with Lane County, the landowner.

Why can’t Lane County take care of Buford Park?

Lane County Parks has only 7 full-time field staff to manage 73 recreational sites across the county (compared to 32 staff employed in 1980).  Lane County continues to face severe budget cuts and depends on the staff and volunteers provided by both Friends of Buford Park & Mt Pisgah and the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum to help care for and enhance the park’s habitats and trails.

Stay informed about what's happening with the Friends!
To learn more about the Friends, and how you can help conserve Mt. Pisgah's natural splendors, sign up for our email list.