The Elk River Alliance is hosting it's 2019 Annual General Meeting on Saturday February 29th. Come learn what the Elk River Alliance has been doing this year, and what is in store for 2020.  We are meeting at the Fernie Nordic Warming Hut for a social ski from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, and then hosting the AGM from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. Bring a potluck snack to share and enjoy a relaxed and informative evening among friends. All are welcome. 

Pamphlets summarizing the Elk River WCT Research Initiative for 2019/2020 and the results found. Click image to enlarge.

Join the ERA on January 31st, 2020 at the Fernie Arts Station from 6-8:30pm to learn about some of their ongoing projects, followed by a screening of Patagonia’s film "Artifishal”. There will be FBC beer and door prizes donated by FBC and Patagonia, so be sure to arrive by 6pm to be entered into the draw and grab a beverage before the evening begins.

SCHEDULE:
6 PM - Doors Open
6:15 PM - Updates & presentations on ongoing ERA projects
6:45 PM - Break
7 PM - Film Screening

Admission by Donation.

For more info, check out our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2862796207105845/ 

Artifishal trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-MMlQ5AIzQ

Looking for a fun and educating week of programming for 10-14 year old(s)?

Sign them up for the last week of the 2019 Elk Watershed Discovery camps! Day camps run from 9am-4pm with pick up/drop off at the College of the Rockies (Fernie Campus). 

Campers will explore the watershed by foot, canoe, SUP and WHITEWATER RAFT. They will meet and learn from local professionals to develop skills in water safety, orienteering (i.e. map/compass and GPS), fly-fishing, yoga, paddling and so much more. They will learn about geology and human history of the area. 

These awesome day camps run from 9am-4pm with pick up and drop off in FernieRegistration is at the College of the Rockies. Sign up today to avoid disappointment! The other 2 weeks of camp sold out... 

Click here to watch a short video on past Elk Watershed Discovery Camps. 

Once again, Chris Coole will be performing as part of an Elk River Alliance fundraiser. This time, he will be joined by Ben Winship. We are so excited for another night of great music and good times! There will be live music and a silent auction. As always, 100% of proceeds will go to the Elk River Alliance's mandate of keeping the Elk River drinkable, fishable & swimmable for future generations. 

Tickets are $25 and are available at the Elk River Alliance office (891 2nd Ave), the Fernie Distillers (531 1st Ave) or online here. Limited quantity available, so don't delay--get yours today! 

Ben Winship is a world-class mandolinist, singer and songwriter based in Victor, Idaho. When not in his studio recording, or burning up the roads playing music all over the place, he can be found with a fly-rod in his hand. Ben has produced 2 acclaimed fishing-themed albums (Fishing Music Vol. 1 and 2) that have been sold in fly-shops around the world!

Last year, Canadian folk musician Chris Coole released an album entitled Road to the River, inspired by his passion for banjo-playing, fishing and wild rivers. His connection to the Elk River is sparked from playing at Fernie's GillBilly music festival multiple times. Chris has toured with the likes of The Foggy Hogtown Boys, Erynn Marshall, Ivan Rosenberg, David Francey, and currently, The Lonesome Ace Stringband. 

Chris lives in Toronto and visits Fernie every opportunity he gets. He loves the Elk River SO MUCH that he decided to donate 100% of proceeds from 'the Road to the River' album sales to the Elk River Alliance! 

"Fernie has become a home away from home for me when I'm on the road and there's nothing I like more than fishing in the Elk River and its tributaries. I know some of the folks who work with the ERA and I respect their dedication and inclusive approach to protecting the water in a way that serves the whole community (not just, but including, fisherpeople)."

Click here to visit the website, have a listen and buy yourself a copy today! Physical CDs are $20 + shipping (or stop by the office to pick one up). Downloads also available for only $9.99!

Fernie, BC - Last week ERA hosted a Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) workshop at the Best Western in Fernie. The workshop aimed to educate the public on the WCT population in the Elk Valley and to discuss community member’s concerns for the species.

The workshop began with a presentation by Brett Elmslie, who is ERA’s Fish and Fish Habitat Project Coordinator. This presentation educated attendees on WCT’s life history, the negative effects that human activity can have on the species and the initiative that ERA has launched to promote the conservation and understanding of the Elk River watershed population.

The workshop concluded with a mapping activity that had small groups identify areas where important WCT habitat has been degraded and/or areas sensitive to negative impacts. Participants identified more than 15 areas of concern and as a group discussed the possible past and/or future drivers of degradation. These identified areas will be evaluated by ERA to determine the severity of degradation and the most severely degraded habitats will be the focus for future habitat restoration projects.

The information gathered from this workshop will contribute to the success of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout Research Initiative, a project launched by ERA in March 2019. This initiative aims to identify and map important WCT spawning and rearing habitat, evaluate habitat restoration opportunities, and communicate easy-to-understand, current WCT information to the community. By gathering and sharing this information, fisheries managers, industry and community members will be better able to actively work towards reducing threats and ensuring a sustainable and healthy WCT population.

To learn more about WCT in the Elk Valley and what you can do to help protect the species around this time of the year, click here.

Attention all you river lovers and fishers! Come learn and join the conversation.

Join the ERA on June 11th, 2019 from 6-8pm for an interactive workshop at the Best Western in Fernie. Participants will help in identifying degraded Westslope Cutthroat Trout habitat and provide input on their concerns for the species through group discussion and activities. Come and learn about the Elk River Alliance’s initiative to improve our understanding of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the Elk Valley and help us protect this important population. Snacks and refreshments provided!

6-6:30 - Open House & Mingle (with snacks!)

6:30-7 - Presentation on WCT & ERA’s Initiative

7-8 - Questions & Interactive Exercise

Let us know if you can attend: https://www.facebook.com/events/2279245135660220/

We're hiring! If you're a student looking for a fun, rewarding job this summer, check out our job posting below!

Job Title: Elk River Watershed Outreach Educator

Responsibilities:

• Raise community awareness about Elk River Alliance activities by attending local community events and markets (Sundays required)
• Participate in the delivery of the Elk River Watershed Discovery Day camps (July 8-12, July 22-26, and August 12-16)
• Assist with restoration, stewardship and research activities
• Update ERA website, Facebook and Instragram accounts with current news
• Other duties assigned by the ERA Program Managers

Qualifications:

• Must be student intending to return to school in fall 2018
• Criminal record check or willingness to have one done
• Passion for healthy river ecosystems and familiarity with the Elk River watershed
• Willingness to learn and take direction
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently and take initiative
• Experience working with children
• Interest in biology, environmental science, social outreach etc.
• Current first aid certification e.g. OFA Level 1 is an asset
• Drivers license and access to a vehicle is preferred

Location:  Based out of ERA’s Fernie office 891 – 2^nd Ave, Fernie, in the Southern Canadian Rockies SE BC.  Job will involve traveling to various locations in the watershed. 

Term/Rate of Employment:  July 1-August 26, 2019 (8 weeks) for a total of 240 hours. Rate of pay $13.65/hour.

ERA recently asked Teck the following questions regarding their 2019 Implementation Plan Adjustment (IPA) to the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (EVWQP). Teck's responses are posted in blue. 

Please click below to read questions and responses.