Bringing
Back Oregon's
Sea Otters
Who Are We: The Elakha Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit in Oregon. We were formed by tribal, nonprofit, and conservation leaders with a shared belief in a powerful vision: an Oregon coast 50 years from now where our children and grandchildren co-exist along with a thriving sea otter population and a robust and resilient marine ecosystem.
Our Mission: To restore a healthy population of sea otters to the Oregon coast and to thereby make Oregon’s marine and coastal ecosystem more robust and resilient.
Restoring a
Legacy
Sea otters are part of the cultural legacy of Oregon’s coastal tribes which was lost when sea otters were eliminated in Oregon due to the 19th century fur trade. It’s long past time for a meaningful effort to undo this wrong. Discover the Cultural Significance of Oregon’s Sea Otters from Peter Hatch, Elakha Board Member and member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
Encouraging a Resilient Marine Ecosystem
As a keystone species, sea otters are critical to maintaining the productivity and diversity of kelp forests. Restoring sea otters will ensure that Oregon has a robust and resilient marine ecosystem for current and future Oregonians and to enable our coastal communities to thrive.
The Science of Sea Otters
As a keystone species, sea otters are critical to maintaining the productivity and diversity of kelp forests. Restoring sea otters will ensure that Oregon has a robust and resilient marine ecosystem for current and future Oregonians and to enable our coastal communities to thrive. In 2022, we published a Scientific Feasibility Study on the potential reintroduction of sea otters back to Oregon.
Latest Updates:
Oregon to Celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week
The Elakha Alliance, an Oregon non-profit working to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast, invites the public to celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week (SOAW) September 24-30, 2023. The Alliance
Jacobsen Salt Co. & Elakha Alliance Return in 2023 with Limited Edition Sea Otter Salt Tins
It’s been two years since we first teamed up with the Jacobsen Salt Co. for their 10th Anniversary, where they launched a 2021 special edition slide tin to help raise awareness and
Webinar: Oregon’s 1970’s Sea Otter Translocation – What Happened? (7.24.23)
Register for this webinar! In summers of 1970 and 1971, a total of 93 sea otters were flown from Amchitka Island, Alaska, to Port Orford and Coos Bay for release
Get Involved
Learn More at the Elakha Library
We’re working to compile in one place a library of materials for students, interested individuals, and scientists who’re interested in learning more.
