The 2026 Elakha Alliance Science Symposium was presented virtually on October 21st, 9:00am-3:00pm PST. The theme this year was: Coexisting with Wildlife: Conservation in a Shared LandscapeAs human populations continue to…
Partners Announce News for Sea Otter Awareness Week, Beginning September 20 September 17, 2026—Over 100 years ago, sea otters disappeared from Oregon as a result of the fur trade. Now,…
The Elakha Alliance, an Oregon nonprofit working to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast, invites the public to celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Month this September, culminating in Sea Otter…
Executive Director's Halfway Year Update: At the midpoint of the year, July is a time when I am reflecting on what the Elakha Alliance has accomplished so far in 2026…
This May, the Elakha Alliance and La Petite Tattoo are joining forces for a creative conservation fundraiser that blends art, community, and ocean advocacy.Throughout the month of May, participating artists at La…
The Elakha Alliance is thrilled to welcome Lucila Gambino as our new Reintroduction Planning Manager. In this role, Lucila will lead the coordination and project management of a major, multi-year…
The Fifth Annual Oregon Otter Beer Festival returns Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 7:00–10:30 PM at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland. Hosted by the Elakha…
This February, the Oregon Legislature has a chance to secure long-term funding for Oregon’s most vulnerable fish, wildlife, and habitats.For decades, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has lacked a dedicated…
This year marked one of the most impactful chapters yet for the Elakha Alliance as we expanded our outreach, deepened partnerships, advanced restoration planning, and inspired thousands across Oregon and…
Protecting Oregon’s ocean ecosystems doesn’t always require diving into the water or attending an event. Sometimes, it’s as simple as returning your bottles and cans. The Elakha Alliance is excited…
Today, with heavy hearts, we honor the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall (1934–2025), whose light guided so many toward a deeper connection with our planet and its creatures.Earlier this year, we…
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 21–27, 2025. SOAW is…
Discovery of the Decade” - so proclaimed Drew Harvell, the disease ecologist at the University of Washington who co-led the research unveiling this critical breakthrough.After years of uncertainty, scientists have…
Here's the deal:The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) is in the process of revising the Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan. The Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) provides…
Thank you to illustrator, Liz Birdwell, for this amazing graphic!Here in Oregon, we often get asked: “Wait, aren’t otters already here?” Yes - North American river otters live in many of…
We are thrilled to welcome Amy Hash to the Elakha Alliance Board of Directors! Amy brings a wealth of experience in sea otter biology and community engagement, along with a…
The Elakha Alliance has lost a friend. Renowned ecologist Jim Estes succumbed on the morning of May 20, 2025, to injuries sustained as the result of a horrific hit-and-run event…
The 2025 Oregon Otter Beer Festival, held on April 12, 2025 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, was a sold-out celebration of craft beverages and…
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Press ReleaseJanuary 21st, 2025 Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) has announced that the Tribe has been awarded a…
Bob Bailey is a name synonymous with the protection and preservation of Oregon’s stunning coastline. As the Board President of the Elakha Alliance, Bob’s unwavering leadership and passion have been…
The Oregon coast is a rugged, untamed landscape, shaped by powerful waves and teeming with marine life. But one critical species is missing from this ecosystem – the sea otter.…
A letter from Elakha Alliance's Executive Director, 11/11/24: Dear Elakha Alliance Friends and Supporters,I have taken some time to think about what the outcome of the recent election means for…
Elakha Alliance is thrilled to announce our partnership with Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back program alongside the Oregon Coast Visitors Association!The Oregon Coast Visitors Association—which is championing sustainable travel—sums…
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 22-28, 2024. The Alliance…
Let's give a warm welcome to Kevin Campion, Elakha Alliance's newest Board Member! Kevin is the founder of Deep Green Wilderness . Believing strongly in a sailboat’s power to inspire and…
We are thrilled to announce that Brittany Blades has joined the Elakha Alliance as our newest board member! Brittany is the Curator of Marine Mammals at Oregon Coast Aquarium. She has worked with sea otters…
The Elakha Alliance is excited to report the sighting of two sea otters at Ecola Point, Cannon Beach on June 28th, 2024. This is a significant event as there has…
The Elakha Alliance was recently interviewed on the Charity Auctions Today Nonprofit Spotlight Podcast where they highlight organizations making a difference in our world. Tune in to discover the critical…
2023 Year in Review Summary provided by Bob Bailey, Elakha Alliance Board President Condor Lessons On a lovely fall day in 2017, as the idea of returning sea otters to…
The Elakha Alliance announces a call for donated art submissions for a silent auction fundraiser on September 28th, 2024 at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club (Newport, OR) in honor of Sea…
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Chief Doc Slyter, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), who has been a valued member…
Press Release from Oregon Historical Quarterly: A special section of the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon Historical Quarterly highlights sea otter history in the Pacific NorthwestNote: Elakha Alliance Board Memebers Cameron La…
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…
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…
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…
Register for presentation! 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 into…
Register for presentation! 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 into…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will host 16 public open houses with communities in Northern California and Oregon this June to gather input on the potential reintroduction of sea otters…
Director of Science & Policy Start Date: July-August 2023 Salary: $5,500 - $6,200/ month, full-time equivalent, exempt Option for 0.75 - 1.0 FTE with prorated salary/ benefits. Reports to: Executive…
Join us for an in-person presentation on Wednesday June 21st, at 5:30pm, at the Nehalem County Recreation District.The capacity is 40 people, so please only RSVP if you are 100%…
University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs graduate students Isabel Jamerson, Danny Kosiba and Olivia Horwedel will be sharing their research they have conducted alongside The Elakha Alliance.…
If you love wildlife, raise your hand! Now keep it raised if you want an excuse to come to a free, fun, family friendly community event that will celebrate wildlife, while…
Join the Elakha Alliance and Defenders of Wildlife for a joint webinar entitled: Reintroduction and Other Conservation Translocations. We are honored to have Dr. Philip Seddon, a renowned expert on wildlife…
Coastal Community Coordinator Start Date: May-June 2023 Salary: $5,000-$6,000/month full-time equivalent, exempt Although we are looking for someone interested in full-time (40 hours/week) work, we are open to applicants who only want…
Cheers for sea otters at Ninkasi Brewing - The Better Living Room on April 29th, 2023! For every beer poured that day, $1 will be donated to the Elakha Alliance.…
The Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA) group is hosting a seminar presented by Jan Hodder at 1:00pm on April 15th at the Bandon Library (1204 11th St SW, Bandon, OR 97411). Jan…
Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach & Community Relations for Elakha Alliance, will be the guest presenter for the Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation's March Chapter Meeting. The event is…
Come visit the Elakha Alliance table at the 2023 Sportsmen Show at the Oregon State Fairgrounds (Salem, OR) February 25-26. he Saltwater Sportsmen's Show is the Northwest's only saltwater fishing…
Elakha Alliance's Board President, Robert Bailey, will present at the Yaquina Birders and Naturalists meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at OSU Extension…
Photo: Patrick Webster The Elakha Alliance is pleased to welcome Dan Abbott and Annie Bauer-Civiello, of the Reef Check Foundation, to join us for a special webinar this month. The Reef…
Previous Next Serendipity: An Ecologist’s Quest to Understand Nature by James Estes, 2016, University of California Press. The author is one of the giants of modern ecology who began as…
Written by Bob Bailey, Elakha Alliance Board President We Set SailOn November 9, 2017, a group of seven people gathered in Siletz, another joined by telephone, and agreed to incorporate the…
Elakha Alliance Board Member, Cameron La Follette, is a historian of the Northwest coast, focusing on land use history, exploration and shipwrecks, and early commercial natural resource extraction. She is…
The Elakha Alliance is pleased to announce that an assessment of the potential economic impacts of returning of sea otters to Oregon is now available on the Elakha Alliance website. …
November 25th is recognized as Native American Heritage Day. The Elakha Alliance is proud to honor the 4 Indigenous individuals that serve on our Board. Peter Hatch: Peter is a…
Join Peter Hatch as represents the Elakha Alliance in the Virtual Speaker Series for the American Cetacean Society-Oregon Chapter in November. Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, Port Orford, OR. Photo by…
Blue Banner Join us for all things sea otters, science & fun! All are welcome to join us for a Virtual 1-day 2022 Sea Otter Science Symposium on Tuesday October…
Bob Bailey of the Elakha Alliance will be presenting at the Corvallis Museum for the Benton County Historical Society members (free) & non-members ($5). Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, Port Orford,…
Join the Elakha Alliance as we welcome three representatives from the United State Fish & Wildlife Service to discuss all the details about potential sea otter reintroductions along the West…
Join Elakha's Board President, Bob Bailey, as he discusses the next steps for sea otter reintroduction in Oregon. Annually, throughout the last week of September (18-24), we celebrate sea otters…
Hear from both our Summer Tribal Interns about their journey creating a traveling cultural display focusing on sea otters in Oregon! The Elakha Alliance received funding from the Siletz Tribal…
The Elakha Alliance would like to thank the following who made honorary, tributary, or memorial donations during the first half of 2022. Makini Chisolm-StrakerWelcome to Isaac Aubrey Giye’we HatchBradley DanielsIn…
Stop by our table at OMSI After Dark and learn about sea otters! Join us on Wednesday, July 27th from 6-10pm to explore the science of surf, sand, and sunsets,…
On Wednesday, July 27, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a report to Congress on the feasibility of reintroducing sea otters to their former range on the Pacific coast. …
We've partnered with the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative for their 2nd Annual Art on the Beach! To celebrate one of the world's rare biospheric reserves, scientists, artists, and the public…
Oregon Ocean Paddling Society Monthly Meeting featuring the Elakha Alliance Point Lobos Foundation Virtual Chapter MeetingJune 29th, 20226:30pm-8:00pm Register for virtual meeting here. Join Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach &…
On June 13, Jane Bacchieri was unanimously and enthusiastically selected by the Elakha Alliance Board of Directors to lead the Elakha Alliance!! Her broad, deep background in organizational management and…
Since the passing of Chief Don Ivy last summer, the Elakha Alliance Board of Directors has been without a member of the Coquille Indian Tribe. We are very pleased to…
Sea Otters: Bringing Oregon's Climate Change Warriors Back with Bob Bailey, Elakha Alliance Board President and Chanel Hason, Elakha Alliance Director of Outreach and Community Relations and marine biologist Point…
The Elakha Alliance received funding from the Siletz Tribal Community Foundation and the Spirit Mountain Community Fund to support two summer internships for tribal youth in the state of Oregon.…
Join Environment America's Webinar Panel Discussion Ocean Life Wednesday June 15 at 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET Register for Webinar: bit.ly/Ocean_webinars From seals to sea otters to whales, our marine animals…
Written by Elakha Alliance Board Member: Katie Russell On Thursday, May 26th, I was able to join the young scientists of Eugene’s 4J high schools at the 10th annual Women…
Learn why sea otters are important to the Indigenous peoples of Oregon. This presentation is free and open to the public on Tuesday May 17th, from 12:00pm-1:00pm. It will take…
Sea otter moms raise their pups on their own without the help of males or other females. A mother sea otter will give birth at sea and then be a…
Interested in learning more about why we are trying to bring sea otters back to Oregon? Karen Hall, Morro Bay Who is the Elakha Alliance? Why aren't sea otters in…
The Elakha Alliance is seeking to fill two paid Full Time Summer Internship positions for tribal youth to support the mission to reintroduce sea otters back to the Oregon coast.…
We are pleased to announce that the Elakha Alliance is searching for our first Executive Director. This position will play a key role to furthering the efforts of the Elakha…
Frank Burris' first love has always been wildlife management, so he is retiring from OSU Extension Service at the end of March, and starting a new job in April working…
Event is Free to Students and Community Members This Conference is dedicated to the life and legacy of Chief Don Ivy. Chief Ivy was an esteemed member of the Elakha…
Balancing Sea Otter & Human Interactions The Elakha Alliance is thrilled to invite Sea Otter Savvy's Founder and Director, Gena Bentall, and Science Communication Director, Heather Barrett, to tell the…
What's more Oregon than an otter-themed craft beer festival benefiting marine ecosystems?! When: Saturday March 12th, 6:30pm-10:00pmWhere: Oregon Museum of Science & Industry1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214 THE…
Join the Elakha Alliance as we present with Oregon Wild The Elakha Alliance is pleased to be the guest presenter for the Oregon Wild as we take a deep dive…
Let's Go On An Underwater Safari! Laura Tesler The Elakha Alliance has invited guest speaker, Laura Tesler, to take you on an underwater safari starting in British Columbia and traveling south…
Summarized by Bob Bailey, Elakha Alliance Board President 2021 is in the books. It was such a good year for the Elakha Alliance and our work to bring sea otters…
Don't Miss This Otterly Great End of the Year Party! Join Bob Bailey (Elakha Board President) & Chanel Hason (Dir. of Outreach & Community Relations) for a night of light-hearted…
Learn the history of Seaweeds & Kelp of the Pacific Coast Credit: Josie Iselin Josie Iselin will take us on her journey as an artist diving deep into the science…
#GivingTuesday is a great movement that was started in 2012 by smart and socially conscious people with the purpose of encouraging others to give back their time and donation dollars…
Join the Elakha Alliance with the Portland Audubon Society The Elakha Alliance is pleased to be the guest presenter for the Portland Audubon's Nature Night series. Join Bob Bailey, Board…
Learn About The Interconnectednessof Birds & the Oregon Coast Kelp beds are biologically rich marine habitats supporting a diversity of invertebrates and fish. Less well known is the use of…
Thank you to the 100's of individuals who joined us from around the globe for our 2nd virtual Sea Otter Science Symposium. This year's focus was on the results from…
Blue Banner Join us for all things sea otters, science & fun! From Tuesday October 5-7, 2021, the Elakha Alliance will host our second ever Virtual Sea Otter Science Symposium.…
In September, the Elakha Alliance was pleased to welcome two new Board Members. Both Renee Davis and Katie Russell have a wealth of individual knowledge and experience in the marine…
Learn About the Cultural Importanceof Sea Otters in the Pacific Northwest It is hard to appreciate the historical, cultural, and ecological significance of a species that disappeared from Oregon’s coastal…
To honor the Oregon waters that Jacobsen Salt Co. has hand-harvested sea salt for a decade, they partnered with the Elakha Alliance to help raise awareness and funds for our mission to…
Blue Banner Everything You Wanted To Know About River Otters Photo: Heide Island Most often than not, people mistake thinking they've witnessed a 'sea otter' on the Oregon coast, when…
Blue Banner Using Creative Storytelling To Showcase Kelp Forests Three researchers from interdisciplinary fields of geography, photography, and design advocate for the prosperity of Pacific kelp forests in a webinar…
Blue Banner Let's Talk Crab Photo: Oregon Coast Aquarium Dungeness crab are an iconic marine shellfish of great economic and cultural importance to Oregon’s coastal communities and way of life. …
Blue Banner What Can We Learn From California's Ever-Changing Kelp Forest Ecosystem? Photo: Kate Vylet, Monterey Bay We are excited to invite Kate Vylet, underwater photographer, scientific diver, and divemaster…
Blue Banner Understanding Research Through Unique Visualizations Liina Klauss, Moritz Stefaner, Skye Moret, Perpetual Plastic Knstlerin, Artist , Trash , Trash Walk ©Massine How does one channel a life of…
This event is hosted by the Coos History Museum on June 1st, 2021 at 6:30pm PST on Zoom. Click here to register for this free event. "It is hard to…
Blue Banner Abalone, the remarkable history and uncertain future of California’s iconic shellfish Prized for their iridescent shells and delectable meat, abalone have a long and rich cultural history on…
Elakha Board Member, Cameron La Follete, and Dr. Doug Deur, a cultural historian who is on our Advisory Committee, co-authored an article for We Proceeded On (WPO), the journal of the…
Our Elakha Board President, Bob Bailey, was recently interviewed by Andrew Collins-Anderson on Coast Range Radio. Bob and Andrew discussed sea otter ecology, why sea otters are absent from the…
Blue Banner Dive into the Underwater World with Brent Durand Brent Durand is an avid scuba diver, surfer, writer, photographer and marketer living in Northern California. He has been scuba diving…
Sea otter moms are heroes, raising their pups on their own without the help of males or other females. Immediately after giving birth, a sea otter spends hours fluffing and…
Congratulations are in order to the Oregon Coast Aquarium who was the recipient of a $5 million dollar grant from the Roundhouse Foundation. The Roundhouse Foundation is located in Sisters,…
Blue Banner Culture & Sea Otters in Oregon It is hard to appreciate the cultural importance of a species that disappeared from Oregon’s coastal waters over a century ago. What…
Blue Banner Restoration Of Sea Otters In Oregon Emerging science reveals that Oregon's kelp ecosystem is undergoing dramatic shifts such as large increases in purple sea urchin barrens following the…
Even with a successful translocation of sea otters in Oregon, sea otter population growth and dispersal takes time. If an initial reintroduction occurs on the south coast where most of…
2014 was the start of an ecological upheaval on the California and Oregon coasts. It started with the collapse of the sunflower sea star due to sea star wasting disease…