Elakha Alliance

The Sea Otter Comeback: Reviving Oregon’s Marine Ecosystem (Oregon Wild Webcast)
2025-01-15 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Elakha (ee-LAK-uh) is a Chinook trading language word for sea otter. Founded in 2018, the Elakha Alliance is an organization of 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.
Oregon Wild is otterly thrilled to be a partner in this mission and effort. Please join us on Wednesday, January 15th as we hear from Chanel Hason, Elakha Alliance’s Director of Outreach and Community Relations, about the history of sea otters in Oregon, their cultural significance to Oregon’s coastal Tribes, and important steps being taken to reintroduce the species to our nearshore environment.
We will be raffling off a copy of Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A Hiking Guide and one of our new “Let Nature Live. Let Nature Last” t-shirts. Tickets are $5 and are an optional purchase below. Raffle tickets not only help us continue these Wednesday presentations but also support our work safeguarding Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters.
Register for Webcast

Where Have All the Sea Otters Gone?
2025-01-29 17:30 - 19:30 | Pine Grove Community House, 225 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR, 97130, United States
Oregon once had a flourishing population of sea otters. Since about 1910, we have had none. What happened? An overview of the history of the fur trade and local hunting in Oregon, tracing the disappearance of our sea otters, how it happened, and who some of the major players were.

Where: Pine Grove Community House
225 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR
When: January 29th, 2025
5:30pm Doors
6:00pm Presentation
In Partnership With: Nehalem Bay Watershed Council, Nehalem Valley Historical Society, North Coast Land Conservancy, Elakha Alliance, Oregon Shores

PRESENTER: CAMERON LA FOLLETTE
Cameron is a coastal historian, and the Executive Director ofOregon Coast Alliance, a land use advocacy organization and the coastal affiliate of 1000Friends of Oregon. She is on the board of the Elakha Alliance, whose mission is to return sea otters to Oregon.

Drink Sáke - Save The Sea Otters Fundraiser
2025-01-31 - 2025-02-02 | SakéOne, 820 Elm St, Forest Grove, OR, 97116, United States
Elakha Alliance and SákeOne have teamed up to support returning sea otters back to Oregon!
Did you know that sea otters are native to Japan (the birthplace of sáke)? The species was absent from Japan for over a century before transient individuals began turning up in the late 1900s (Hattori et al., 2005) and a permanent population took hold in 2014 (Kogen, 2023). Today the country’s sea otters are on the road to recovery, but progress has been slow and research limited.
Visit the SákeOne tasting room Jan 31st-Feb 2 to benefit the Elakha Alliance by purchase any of the sea otter themed items below. Representatives from the Elakha Alliance will be tabling on Saturday Feb 1st if you want to learn more about our organization and our mission.

Flight: Sea Splash Spectacular: Otterly Sensational Saké

Hakutsuru Sho Une
Daikoku Masumune Summer Night
Limited Edition Momokawa Illumination
Hakutsuru Superior
Moonstone Coconut Lemongrass

Cocktail: Otter’s Delight

Margarita with Sake

Snack: A Local Charcuterie Board

Cape Perpetua Land-Sea Symposium
2025-01-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Yachats Commons, 441 Hwy 101 N, Yachats, Oregon, 97498, United States
Attend the Cape Perpetua Collaborative’s annual Land-Sea Symposium, the capstone event of their organization’s calendar. This dynamic gathering brings together partner organizations, artists, scientists, decision-makers, and community members to explore pressing issues facing our coastal environment. Through engaging presentations and vibrant discussions, attendees have the opportunity to delve into topics ranging from marine conservation to climate resilience and beyond. This event is free to attend but requires reservations via Eventbrite, so be sure to secure your spot and join us for an inspiring day of learning and collaboration!

SECURE FREE TICKETS HERE

The Care and Conservation of Sea Otters: Heroes of Our Nearshore Ecosystems
2025-02-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, 333 SE Bay Blvd., Newport, OR, 97365, United States
Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for an inside look at the care and conservation of sea otters,
with speaker Brittany Blades. Sea otters, often described as charismatic marine mammals, are
more than just a cute face. Attend this free talk to discover why they are the heroes of our
nearshore ecosystems! The plight of the sea otter is an encouraging story about the recovery of a
near extinct species, a journey that continues to this day. In Oregon, sea otters have long been
absent from our shores as a result of centuries of intense hunting. The only places in Oregon
where you are guaranteed to find one are the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Oregon Zoo. Learn
how Brittany Blades found herself immersed in a career caring for sea otters as well as getting
involved with sea otter conservation efforts. Hear personal stories of hilarious sea otter antics and
discover actions you can take to help sea otters in Oregon!

Title: The Care and Conservation of Sea Otters: Heroes of Our Nearshore Ecosystems
Time: Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Location: Pacific Maritime Heritage Center
333 SE Bay Blvd., Newport, OR 97365

Zoom Registration: Click Here
Speaker: Brittany Blades, Curator of Marine Mammals at Oregon Coast Aquarium
Brittany is the Curator of Marine Mammals at Oregon Coast Aquarium. She has worked with sea
otters since 2008, getting her start with an internship at Oregon Zoo where she was inspired to
focus on the care and conservation of sea otters and has now cared for sea otters at Oregon Coast
Aquarium since 2011. Brittany manages the care for sea otters as well as collecting Washington
sea otter foraging data, participating in the Washington Sea Otter Annual Census, and collecting
data on sea otters in California. She has always called the Pacific Northwest home growing up in Washington and Oregon as a child and graduating from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s of science in biology. Brittany has now called the Oregon Coast home for 14 years and has recently taken the next the next step in sea otter conservation by becoming a board member for Elakha Alliance.

Oakshire Inspires Fundraiser for Elakha Alliance
2025-02-11 05:00 - 20:00 | Oakshire Beer Hall, 5013 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, Oregon, 97218, United States
Join us on Tuesday, February 11th, at Oakshire Beer Hall in Portland (5013 NE 42nd Avenue) for an Oakshire Inspires Fundraiser supporting Elakha Alliance.

Indulge in fantastic craft beers, mingle with like-minded individuals, and contribute directly to the conservation efforts of Elakha Alliance. Stop by our table at the event to learn more about our work on the coast. Every dollar raised will make a significant impact. $1.00 per core pint of Oakshire Beer & 10% of Brew Fare food sales from the whole day will be donated to Elakha’s efforts to restore sea otters back to Oregon.

Elakha Alliance representatives will be on site tabling from 6pm-8pm. Come say hello and grab dinner or a drink and learn all about sea otters!

Science on Tap: Sea Otter Trivia Night!
2025-02-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Pelican Brewing Company – Pacific City, 33180 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City, OR, 97135, United States
The Nestucca, Neskowin & Sand Lake Watersheds Council partnered with Chanel Hason from the Elakha Alliance and Pelican Brewing Company to host Sea Otter Trivia Night on Wednesday February 19th, at Pelican Brewery in Pacific City at 6pm!
This will be an exciting night, filled with delicious food and drink for purchase and a lot of fun sea otter facts and prizes for the winning team. This event is free and open to the public, we hope to see you there!

Restoring Oregon’s Coastal Balance: Bringing Sea Otters Back (Lincoln City, OR)
2025-02-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR, 97367, United States
The OCCC Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the Williams Lecture Series. Briefly interrupted by the Pandemic, the annual series has brought thought-provoking speakers to Lincoln County for three decades.
Join Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach and Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, for an engaging presentation about the organization’s efforts to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast. Discover how these charismatic marine mammals are vital to the health of our coastal ecosystems, the history behind their disappearance, and the collaborative work being done to bring them back. Learn how you can support this critical conservation mission and help make a lasting impact on Oregon’s marine environment.
SPEAKER: CHANEL HASON
SPONSORS: OCCC FOUNDATION & LINCOLN CITY CULTURAL CENTER
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 • 6-7:30PM – FREE
540 NE HWY. 101 • LINCOLN CITY

Saltwater Sportsmen's Show
2025-02-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Venue Jackman-Long, Cascade Hall, 2330 17th St NE, Salem, Oregon, 97301, United States
Come visit the Elakha Alliance table at the 2025 Sportsmen Show at the Oregon State Fairgrounds (Salem, OR) on Saturday February 22nd.
he Saltwater Sportsmen’s Show is the Northwest’s only saltwater fishing show. This two-day event features a variety of seminars focused on boating safety, offshore navigation, tuna, salmon and bottom fishing and a panel discussion. There’s also a show attached to the seminars that features a variety of a tackle manufacturers and retailers, boat dealers and marine accessories vendors — all focused on saltwater sportfishing. This is a one-of-kind event produced to support and fund the efforts of OCEAN, a non-profit organization committed to extending offshore fishing seasons and enhancing offshore fisheries. OCEAN also provides deep water release mechanisms at no charge as a worldwide offshore fisheries conservation effort. The event is located in the Jackman-Long Building at the Oregon State Fair Grounds in Salem, OR. Admission is $20 to attend both the seminars and trade show or $10 for admission only into the trade show. Join us for what should be two days of ocean-fishing fun!
Learn more about the Saltwater Sportsmen Show.

SWOCC Biology Lecture: Sea Otters in Oregon: Road to Return
2025-03-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Southwestern Oregon Community College, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, OR, 97420, United States
Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:00 pm, for “Sea Otters in Oregon: Road to Return” with Kyle Motley, Coastal Community Coordinator, Elakha Alliance. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Lecture:
Join us for an in-depth exploration of sea otters, their ecological role, and their historical significance along the Oregon Coast. As the Coastal Community Coordinator for the Elakha Alliance, Kyle Motley will share the fascinating history of these iconic marine mammals, discuss the vital ecological functions they serve in coastal ecosystems, and outline the considerations involved in their potential reintroduction to Oregon. This presentation highlights the intersection of science, culture, and community in restoring balance to our coastal waters.
About the Presenter:
Kyle has an extensive background working with endangered species, threatened ecosystems, stakeholder engagement, and watershed restoration projects on private and public lands. He received his Master of Science (MS) degree in natural resources from the University of Vermont, where he focused on forest ecology. He has worked on monitoring, restoration, and forestry projects with the United States Forest Service, the National Park Service, and several local government agencies around the country. Since moving to the south coast six years ago, Kyle has worked with local non-profit groups to successfully implement habitat restoration projects focused on coho salmon and oak woodlands. He is extremely excited to be able to use his stakeholder engagement and community outreach skills for the Elakha Alliance.
For more information about the lecture series contact Amy Burgess, Assistant Professor of Biology at amy.burgess@socc.edu or 541-888-7496.

Webinar: Kelp Communities in Transition: Consequences for Oregon’s Marine Species of Greatest Conservation Need
2025-03-12 18:30 - 19:30
Join us for an Elakha Alliance webinar with guest presenter, Steve Rumrill of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Register for Webinar Here
Webinar Description: Nearshore ocean conditions are changing along the west coast of North America. These recent shifts in ocean drivers have contributed to broad-scale impacts to marine and estuarine habitats, and include unfortunate consequences for several of Oregon’s Marine Species of Greatest Conservation Need. This talk will summarize historic and ongoing work undertaken by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife / Marine Resources Program to characterize the current status and changes to the complex community of bull kelp, abalone, sea urchins, and sea stars within Oregon’s rocky reef habitats. Considered together, the magnitude of ecological change is unprecedented in recorded history. The new surveys establish fresh baselines to assess future changes to Oregon’s rocky reef communities, and help us ponder some key questions: Do the current communities represent a shifting baseline or “new normal” for Oregon’s rocky reef habitats? Will the community continue to respond and adapt into an alternative stable-state? Is it possible to help enhance recovery of abalone, sea stars, and kelp by the deliberate reduction of sea urchins and re-establishment of sea otters?
Presenter Biography: Dr. Steve Rumrill is the Leader of the Shellfish Program at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife where his team conducts habitat characterizations, stock assessments, monitoring activities, and scientific studies for a diverse group of bay clams, razor clams, mussels, abalone, crab, shrimp, sea urchins, and other shellfish. Steve is a marine biologist, estuarine ecologist and invertebrate zoologist who has been working on the Oregon coast for over three decades. He earned his PhD in Zoology (1987) from the University of Alberta where he investigated critical early life-history events and natural mortality of echinoderms along the west coast of Vancouver Island, and his MSc thesis (1983) documented the reproductive biology of brittle stars in Monterey Bay.

Nerd Nite Eugene
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Drop Bear Brewery, 2690 Willamette St., Eugene, OR, 97405, United States
Nerd Nite is a monthly presentation series held in nearly 100 cities globally during which several folks give fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along! Katie Russell of the Elakha Alliance will be presenting on our efforts on March 13th in at Drop Bear Brewery in Eugene – we hope to see you there!

1970's Oregon Sea Otter Translocation - What Happened?
2025-04-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Coos History Museum, 1210 N Front Street, Coos Bay, OR, 97420, United States
What happened to the 93 sea otters who were flown from Amchitka Island, Alaska, to Port Orford and Coos Bay for release into the ocean? Why were they brought to southern Oregon in the first place? And how did they, by 1981, all disappear?
Bob Bailey, Board President of the Elakha Alliance, will tell the tale, discuss what we can learn from the past, and answer your questions at Coos History Museum’s First Tuesday Talk on April 1st, 2025 from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

2025 Oregon Otter Beer Festival
2025-04-12 19:00 - 22:30 | Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97214, United States
SOLD OUT

Mark your calendars for the 4th Oregon Otter Beer Festival fundraiser on April 12, 2025 (7:00pm-10:30pm) at OMSI in Portland! Hosted by the Elakha Alliance, Oregon Zoo and Straightaway Cocktails, this otter-ly exciting event will celebrate Oregon’s vibrant craft beverage scene while supporting our mission to bring sea otters back to the coast and restore a thriving marine ecosystem.
VIEW THE FULL EVENT DETAILS ON THE MAIN WEBPAGE
In 2024, we raised over $37,500 to aid sea otter conservation—and we’re ready to make an even bigger splash in 2025!
This year’s festival isn’t just about beer—it’s a full celebration of Oregon’s diverse beverage artistry. Alongside breweries crafting special sea otter-themed beers with Maris Otter Malt, guests can enjoy wine, cider, sake, and spirits from local producers. Indulge in delicious drinks, cast your vote for your favorite creation, and cheer on a panel of expert judges as they crown the best otter-inspired beverages.
The evening will also feature:

Engaging talks and Elakha trivia to highlight the importance of restoring Oregon’s sea otter population and its impact on marine ecosystems.
Photo Booth to make long lasting memories.
Tasty gourmet eats, from wood-fired pizzas to delectable desserts.
Live music to keep the atmosphere lively and fun from local Vinyl DJ – Bryson Wallace.
Exciting Raffle and Silent Auction offering local artwork, unique gift packages, and outdoor adventure experiences from PNW businesses.

The Elakha Alliance, founded by tribal and conservation leaders, is dedicated to restoring sea otters to Oregon’s coast while creating a more resilient marine environment. Your participation in this fundraiser helps raise awareness and funds for this critical mission.
Come sip, sample, and celebrate with us—all for a great cause! For more information, contact Chanel@ElakhaAlliance.org.

Sea Otter Pint Night at Leikam Brewing
2025-04-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Leikam Brewing, 5812 E Burnside St, Portland, OR, 97215, United States
Join us at Leikam Brewing in near Mt Tabor on April 16th (UPDATED DATE) for a drink and a snack in support of the Elakha Alliance! Leikam has been a dedicated participant in our Oregon Otter Beer Challenge for the past four years and continues to be a huge supporter of sea otter restoration in Oregon. Plus, a representative from Elakha will be tabling, so stop by to chat, learn more about our work, and raise a glass for conservation!

Sea Otter Trivia Night at Cooper Mountain Ale Works (Sherwood, OR)
2025-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Cooper Mountain Ale Works – Old Town Sherwood, 22793 SW Pine Street, Sherwood, OR, 97140, United States
🌊🍺 Dive into the depths of knowledge at our Sea Otter Trivia Night! 🍺🌊
Join us for an evening of aquatic adventure and brain-teasing fun as Elakha Alliance and Cooper Mountain Ale Works – Sherwood team up to bring you an unforgettable experience! 🐠🍻 Games are free and open to all ages. Arrive early to fuel up on pizza and beers. Games start at 7pm and include four rounds of trivia that cover everything from marine biology to ocean conservation. Prizes await the most knowledgeable ocean enthusiasts!
📅 Date: Thursday, April 17
🕖 Time: 7pm
📍 Location: Cooper Mountain Ale Works, Old Town Sherwood
Bring your friends, family, and fellow ocean lovers for a night of laughter, learning, and libations. Let’s raise a glass to our oceans and the fascinating creatures that call them home!

Care & Stewardship: Art & Ecology Stewarding Oregon's Coastline
2025-04-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Road, Sisters, OR, 97759, United States
Join us for the first lecture in our 2025 Lecture Series Care & Stewardship: Art & Ecology Stewarding Oregon’s Coastline with invited speakers Jane Bacchieri , Chanel Hason and Josie Iselin!
RSVP HERE
Date: April 24th
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture
We are excited to host Jane Bacchieri and Chanel Hason of the Elakha Alliance in conversation with Josie Iselin, co-director of Above/Below.
Lecture Highlights:
– Discover the Elakha Alliance’s mission to restore sea otters to Oregon’s coast and how art is central to fostering community-driven conservation efforts. Learn about innovative outreach projects such as the Sea Otter Art Silent Auction and interactive workshops merging art and science.
– Journey into the underwater world with Josie Iselin as she unveils The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, a web-based book celebrating kelp forests and their vital role in marine ecosystems. Josie will also highlight the intersection between kelp forest health and sea otter restoration.
Expect a lively dialogue among the speakers, captivating visuals, and an opportunity for robust Q&A.
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required.
For ages 16 and older. Those under age 16 may attend accompanied by an adult.
About the Speakers:
Jane Bacchieri (she/her)is the Executive Director of the Elakha Alliance, a nonprofit working to restore sea otters to Oregon’s coast. With over 25 years of experience in natural resources management, Jane previously led watershed planning and management teams for the City of Portland and served as a natural resources policy advisor for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. She has also worked with the National Policy Consensus Center at Portland State University and managed coastal and watershed programs for organizations like the National Park Service and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Jane holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Vermont.
Chanel Hason serves as the Director of Outreach and Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, where she leads efforts to engage communities in restoring sea otters and enhancing marine ecosystems. Chanel’s diverse background includes marine biology, animal husbandry, environmental education, and nonprofit management. She has conducted research on the Great Barrier Reef, worked with sea and river otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and developed environmental programs for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment. Chanel earned her MS in Sustainability Education from Portland State University and volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation. Fun fact: Chanel was crowned 2013 Miss Scuba USA and represented the U.S. at the Miss Scuba International Pageant in Malaysia.
Josie Iselin is a photographer, author, and designer specializing in the world of seaweeds and kelp. Her most recent work, The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, is a web-based book celebrating kelp forests’ intricate ecosystems. As co-director of Above/Below, Josie brings attention to the underwater forests that mirror terrestrial ones. She holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard and an MFA from San Francisco State University, where she now teaches. Josie’s passion lies in synthesizing scientific stories through art, encouraging thoughtfulness and stewardship of coastal ecosystems.

We Otter Bring Them Back Campaign
2025-05-09 - 2025-06-08
The Elakha Alliance is leading the effort to bring sea otters back, and we need your help. We Otter Bring Them Back is an individual fundraising and social media campaign designed to empower passionate individuals like you to spread awareness, inspire action, and raise critical funds for sea otter restoration in Oregon.

Campaign Runs: May 9th-June 8th, 2025

By joining the campaign, you become an Otter Advocate—sharing the story of Oregon’s missing sea otters with your community, and directly contributing to the return of this essential species. We’re encouraging each Otter Advocate to aim for a $250 fundraising goal to help us reach our ultimate target of $10,000!
This is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement to restore an entire ecosystem. Every conversation you spark, every social media post you share, and every dollar you raise brings more awareness to the importance of sea otters and their vital role in Oregon’s coastal ecosystem. Your participation helps the Elakha Alliance educate communities, inspire action, and build a movement dedicated to restoring balance to our oceans.
Will you help us bring them back?
REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE

Corvallis Kaleidoscope: 75th anniversary of the NSF
2025-05-10 10:00 - 18:00 | PRAx – Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, 450 SW 15th Street, Corvallis, OR, 97331, United States
We are proud to share that Oregon State University will celebrate National Science Foundation’s 75th Anniversary from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 with a public STEAM Festival and Fair, Corvallis Kaleidoscope: Changing the Spectrum of STEM Through a Day of Wisdom and Wonder. This event will take place at the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx).
You are cordially invited to help us celebrate by attending with colleagues, family and friends, sharing your research or organization at a table, creatively featuring your work in a STEAM Slam, or by taking part in discussions on Indigenous ways of knowledge and Western science. The event will culminate in a live version of the Indigenous Education Institute’s speaker series, A Sense of Place: Indigenous Perspectives on Earth, Water, and Sky.
Event features:

STEAM Slam: 10 a.m. to noon. Short, creative presentations combining science and art in engaging and fun ways.
Science Festival: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore robots, oceans, and engage with scientists about their innovative work. Experience a ride on a gigantic kinetic structure.
Sense of Place Discussions: 12:30-6 p.m. Sharing and discussions on the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing and Western science in the Willamette Valley. Panel discussion at 1 p.m. with conversations and sharing to follow, ending with a discussion on allyship.
Live demonstrations.
Food trucks will be in the parking lot. Breakfast burritos will be available starting at 10 a.m., with more trucks arriving for lunchtime.
Live speaker series in the rehearsal classroom, 4-6 p.m.

To participate:

Table request form.
STEAM Slam request form.

Yachats Wild Things Festival
2025-05-11 09:00 - 16:00 | Yachats Commons, 441 Hwy 101 N, Yachats, Oregon, 97498, United States
Wild Things is an environmental festival, a joyful gathering honoring our unique coastal animals and plants, a day of education and exploration, and a time to revel in the magic of our natural world.
Imagine the Commons and surrounding areas filled with music, plant and animal walks and demonstrations, viewing stations, tide pool adventures, and more. Picture a colorful parade of Wild Things marching joyfully, led by five giant puppets and followed by folks of all ages dressed as their favorite coastal plants and animals. That’s Wild Things!
The festival’s unique blend of art, fun, and environmental awareness offers something for everyone: Last year’s celebration featured the following:

Art and Creativity:. Michael Gurierro created and gathered folks to make art in the form of bigger-than-life animal puppets, and kids and adults alike can join in crafting their own Wild Things accessories for the parade.
Educational Booths and Activities: Learn about our coastal ecosystem through engaging demonstrations, plant and animal walks, and educational booths hosted by an incredible lineup of organizations.
Wild Plant Sale: Hosted by the MidCoast Watersheds Council and Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, this plant sale is a great opportunity to support local conservation efforts while adding some beautiful native plants to your garden.
Music and Entertainment: The festival will feature interactive performances by Your Song My Song, an environmental justice-focused children’s entertainment group. Their shows are filled with music, puppets and storytelling that celebrates Earth’s beauty while inspiring audiences to take.

Birds of a Feather Spring Festival
2025-05-11 11:00 - 15:00 | Wildlife Center of the North Coast, 89686 Highway 202, Astoria, OR, 97103, United States
ALL ARE INVITED TO THIS FUN, FREE EVENT – Hosted by the Wildlife Center of the North Coast.
Birds of a Feather Spring Festival
May 10th & 11th, 2025 – 11am to 3pm
–> Find the Elakha Alliance table on Sunday May 11th!
This fun, two-day festival is our Annual Spring Open House & Native Plant Sale, with free tours of our facility, fun activities for the kids, awesome raffle prizes, and visits with our Education Ambassadors.
We will be announcing the winners of our 2025 Birds of a Feather Youth Art Contest & displaying all of the artwork that was entered.
Bring the whole family. Everyone is invited to this free-community event.
All money raised from the Birds of a Feather Spring Festival will support our 2025 Birds of a Feather Annual Campaign. Donations to our Annual Campaign support our mission of promoting compassion, empathy, and respect for all life through wildlife rehabilitation, ecological teachings, and wildlife conservation

Coos Watershed Mayfly Festival
2025-05-17 11:00 - 15:00 | Mingus Park, Coos Bay, OR
The Coos Watershed Mayfly Festival is returning to Mingus Park on May 17 from 11-3!

The Mayfly Festival is an event created by the Coos Watershed Association and other local groups that aims to shed light on the connections between community, the environment, and water. This is a free, all-ages, hands-on celebration of watershed ecology and interconnectedness through activities, games, live music, science, and art! At the Mayfly Festival, you can plan to dance to good music, eat some really good local food, make a costume, dip a net into the Mingus Pond to see what lives there, and learn about fish, insects, plants, compost, marine debris, gardening, the connections between human health and environmental health, and so much more!

If you are a fan of music, nature, art, good food, and science, this is an event you will not want to miss!

Want to volunteer with us? Contact kklietz@cooswatershed.org. We need help with setup, cleanup, food court, activity booths, prepping art materials, and everything in-between!

For updates, visit https://cooswatershed.org/mayfly-festival/ and follow the Coos Watershed Association on social media.

86th Annual Azalea Festival, Brookings OR
2025-05-24 - 2025-05-25 | Brookings, Brookings, OR, United States
This long-time event celebrates the beauty of the Southern Oregon coast and has been awarded the “Oregon Heritage Tradition” award. Come and enjoy the activities and weekend we have planned on the beautiful coast of Brookings, Oregon.
This event includes a Friday night Dance Party in Azalea Park, Saturday morning Azalea Festival Parade in downtown Brookings, Street Market Fair, and Azalea Park Concerts! New this year “Brookings Got Talent” show on Sunday in the park. Enjoy Memorial Day weekend on the coast and join the fun!

Marie Lamfrom Birthday Glass Float Search in Lincoln City
2025-05-24 - 2025-07-31
This year, the Marine Lamfrom Charitable Foundation is partnering with schools and nonprofits on the Oregon Coast to help young people visit and explore new places, spaces, and environments — getting out of their comfort zones.
In partnership with Explore Lincoln City’s Finders Keepers program — and in celebration of Marie Lamfrom’s 129th birthday — they are donating $129,000 between Oregon coastal nonprofits and schools each time a special ‘Marie Lamfrom’ float is discovered and reported.
Elakha Alliance has been awarded FOUR yellow glass floats, and if found and registered here, we will be awarded $1,000 per float!
1) The search begins! Starting May 24, float fairies will be hiding the MLCF yellow glass floats along the Lincoln City coastline. Floats will be hidden through the month of June, so rally your friends, neighbors, and community members to go searching! Learn more about the boundaries and hiding spots here.
2) Registering floats: Floats must be reported to and registered with Explore Lincoln City – do that here – in order for non-profits to receive funding. Remember, only the labeled yellow floats are eligible for this program.
3) Last call: While many floats will be found in early June, some still are discovered months later. As such, they will leave discovery open until July 31.

IOSF World Otter Day Webinar
2025-05-28 09:00 - 12:00
Each year, International Otter Survival Fund holds a World Otter Day webinar involving otter experts and enthusiasts from across the world.
REGISTER FOR WEBINAR
The webinar is split in to two sections, a morning and evening session, to allow people from all across the world to join.
Bob Bailey, Elakha’s Board President, will be one of the event’s guest speakers.
The webinar will take place on Wednesday 28th May. There will be two sessions with different speakers in each. The sessions will take place at the following times:
Morning Session – 09.00 – 11.30am (UK Time)
Evening Session – 17.00 – 19.30pm (UK Time)
The webinar will include the following presentations – although, exact presentation titles will change:
Morning:

Hiroshi Sasaki: Eurasian otters in Japan and their possible return
Saeid Naderi: The status of Eurasian otters in Iran
Nitya Navelkar: In search of Smooth-coated otters in India
Gleb Sedash: The status of otters in Kyrgyzstan
Josep Xarles Ribas: Otters in Barcelona

Evening:

Michael Salami Olalaken: Otters, conflict and community awareness in Nigeria
Dr Pablo Hernandez: The discovery of a ‘new’ species of otter
Bob Bailey, Elakha Alliance: The reintroduction of the Sea otter in Oregon
Eric Flores: Otters in Panama
Linda Wilinski: North American River Otters in Florida and the importance of non-disturbance and respectful photography/watching

All links to the Webinar will be sent directly to you at the beginning of the week commencing Monday 25th May.
Thank you and we look forward to celebrating otters together on 28th May.
Should you have any questions about the webinar please contact ben@otter.org

World Otter Day Trivia - Pelican Brewing, Siletz Bay
2025-05-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Pelican Brewing Company – Siletz Bay, 5911 US-101, Lincoln City, OR, 97367, United States
Gather your trivia enthusiasts and ocean lovers for an unforgettable evening at Pelican Brewery – Siletz Bay, where we’re celebrating World Otter Day in style! Join us for a night of fun and facts as we test our knowledge on all things otters while supporting the Elakha Alliance’s vital conservation efforts. From fascinating trivia rounds spotlighting these charismatic creatures to enjoying Pelican Brewery’s finest brews and delicious bites, it’s a night dedicated to raising awareness and funds for otter conservation along the Oregon coast. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a splash for a cause close to our hearts!
Trivia night will be located upstairs in Pelican Brewing Company’s private area with the best view of Siletz Bay as our backdrop. There will be a suggested $5 donation to participate in trivia to help fundraise for the Elakha Alliance’s efforts to restore sea otters back to Oregon.
A special otter-themed prize package will be given to the otterly-most-knowledgable trivia team!

World Otter Day Trivia - 7 Devils, Coos Bay
2025-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | 7 Devils Brewing Co., 247 S 2nd St., Coos Bay, OR, 97420, United States
Gather your trivia enthusiasts and ocean lovers for an unforgettable evening at 7 Devils Brewery & Public House, where we’re celebrating World Otter Day in style! Join us for a night of fun and facts as we test our knowledge on all things otters while supporting the Elakha Alliance’s vital conservation efforts. From fascinating trivia rounds spotlighting these charismatic creatures to enjoying 7 Devils’s finest brews and delicious bites, it’s a night dedicated to raising awareness and funds for otter conservation along the Oregon coast. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a splash for a cause close to our hearts!
A special otter-themed prize package will be given to the otterly-most-knowledgable trivia team!

Bloom Newport Festival
2025-05-31 15:00 - 19:00 | Newport Performing Arts Center, 777 W Olive St., Newport, OR, 97365, United States
Celebrate the creativity, culture, cuisine, community, and commerce that make Newport vibrant at the annual Bloom Newport festival. This event offers fun for all ages with free admission.
Time & Location

May 31, 2025, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Newport Performing Arts Center, 777 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365, USA

About the event

Celebrate the creativity, culture, cuisine, community, and commerce that make Newport vibrant at the annual Bloom Newport festival. This event offers fun for all ages with free admission.

Date & Time: Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Newport Performing Arts Center, 777 W. Olive Street, Newport, OR 97365
Admission: Free
Details: https://www.facebook.com/bloomNewport/

Pints and Plates for Sea Otters at PLAY Eugene
2025-06-04 17:00 - 20:00 | PLAY Eugene, 232 W 5th Ave, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join us for a fun evening in support of sea otter conservation! On Wednesday, June 4th, Elakha Alliance is partnering with PLAY Eugene & Cece’s Seafood for a special fundraising event as part of our “We Otter Bring Them Back” campaign.
From 5–8 PM, PLAY will generously donate $1 from every draft beverage sold, and Cece’s Seafood will contribute 20% of all food sales, including delicious new specials created just for the event!
Come enjoy great food and drinks while learning more about Elakha Alliance’s mission to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast. We’ll have a table set up with information about why these incredible animals are vital to our coastal ecosystems—and how you can help bring them back. This event is open to guests of all ages.
Whether you’re an ocean lover, a conservation supporter, or just in it for the tasty food and local brews, we otter see you there!

World Ocean Day at Oregon Coast Aquarium
2025-06-08 10:00 - 17:00 | Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, Oregon, 97365, United States
World Ocean Day is Sunday, June 8!

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, OR is hosting animal feeds and presentations throughout the day, their Gleason Room will transform into a mock marine rehab center, and their Discovery Zone will be open all day for ocean-themed fun. They’ve also invited local partners to join the celebration and share their work.

Learn more here: https://aquarium.org/visit/calendar/world-ocean-day/
