Copper River Watershed Project

Fish Habitat The Organization works to identify, monitor and restore salmon habitat throughout the Copper River drainage. By convening state and federal agency, community and Tribal partners, we form planning teams and partnerships to identify salmon habitat data gaps, and key salmon habitat locations in need of restoration. Watershed-scale planning enables maximizing restoration dollars to ensure the best outcomes for supporting salmon and other fish species, ensures healthy hydrology and buffers the surrounding landscape for inclement weather changes and flash flooding or changes in hydrology associated with climate change. By supporting and improving fish habitat, we support healthy salmon populations, culturally significant traditions, and all the salmon economies associated with this important natural resource.

Watershed Education: The Organization offers outdoor, standards-based watershed education for K - 12 grade students. In partnership with federal agencies and other nonprofits, the Organization organizes and hosts a leadership building, field-based program for high school students every summer. The Organization supports a salmon rearing tank in every school in the Copper River watershed and a spring salmon fry release field trip, as well as other field-based programming as requested. The Organization presents during summertime teacher professional development workshops in order to inspire teachers to engage their students in outdoor learning. A ladder approach has been designed to introduce students to outdoor education opportunities at multiple points over their K-12 school experience. Stewardship and connection to place are highlighted in programming.

Invasive Plant Management The Organization is working to facilitate partnerships among public and private land managers and land owners in both the Copper River basin and the Copper River delta area to identify and treat invasive plants. Invasive plants are particularly aggressive and threaten fish and wildlife habitat by cording out native plants, reducing the foraging opportunities for native fish and wildlife. While many places in the North America are simply trying to mitigate damage associated with invasive plants, the Copper River watershed has a chance for eradication of some noxious weeds. By treating wetland invasive plants in the town of Cordova, for example, we have held back the spread to the Copper River delta, one of North Americas largest intact wetlands. The Organization works to engage partners and key stakeholders in reducing the introduction of invasive plants and treatment of known infestations through volunteer events and targeted education programs.