Curious about water quality in the Elk Valley?

Join the ERA from 6-7pm on March 28th in Elkford to learn about our community-based water monitoring program. We will share data from 8 years of monitoring on 2 Elk River tributaries (Lizard & Alexander Creeks) as well as future plans to expand this program! 

6:00-6:30— Open house, mingle (with snacks!)

6:30-6:45— Presentation on results and future monitoring plans

6:45-7:00— Q & A session

ERA is now accepting applications for an Executive Director, closing date is March 22, 2019.  

The Position. As Executive Director of the Elk River Alliance, you will lead important initiatives aimed at connecting people to the Elk River watershed in ways that deepen our understanding and contribute to the stewardship of this wonderful river system.  You will work with a small, dedicated team, a diverse Board, and a wide variety of funders on a range of projects.  You will have many opportunities to innovate and to learn along-side an energetic team.

The Elk River Alliance.  The Elk River Alliance was formed in 2010. We work to raise community awareness and knowledge, facilitate community engagement to better inform sustainable water decision-making, monitor aquatic health, and promote safe and sustainable river recreation. ERA’s vision is a watershed where well managed human activities result in healthy ecosystems and a robust economy.  Over the past 8 years, we have successfully completed dozens of projects while engaging with the community and building our reputation as champions of the Elk River and its surrounding watersheds

Join the Elk River Alliance (ERA) on February 21st from 6-6:30pm for our Annual General Meeting. All members can vote at the meeting and will also have the opportunity to be nominated to join our board of directors. To sign up online to become an ERA member (a lifetime membership is ONLY $20!) click here.

Stay for dinner and a movie! We will be serving pizza, beer and wine. At 7pm, we will be screening the film Where The Yellowstone Goes, by donation. This documentary follows a 30-day drift boat trip down the Yellowstone River, the longest undammed river in the US. 

"Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River, illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure."

Continue to read more and watch the film trailer.

Join the Elk River Alliance for Streamkeepers training on beautiful Boivin Creek in Elkford!

Get your hands wet and feet muddy while learning Streamkeepers water monitoring protocols to assess aquatic health. Become a certified Streamkeeper and collect meaningful water quality data on local streams to contribute to community-based water monitoring efforts.

'Streamkeepers' is a BC developed water monitoring protocol designed by the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation. Data is collected by trained citizen scientists and can be used for many purposes, including, providing data to community members, industry and all levels of government as well as prioritizing sites for restoration/enhancement activities. For more information on the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, visit their website.  

The cost of this 2 day workshop training is $25 for ERA members and $50 for non-members with subsidies available if required. 

Please register online, click here. If you have any questions, please e-mail info@elkriveralliance.ca

Thanks to our funders and partners for supporting this opportunity! 

The Elk River Alliance has just released a report on water quality in Alexander Creek after 3 years of monthly monitoring (April-October 2015-2017). Please check it out here and let us know if you have any questions or comments! This project was completed in partnership with Lotic Environmental and the Columbia Basin Water Quality program, and funded by the Columbia Basin Trust. 

The ERA is now accepting applications for an Executive Director, closing date is September 19, 2018.  

The Position. As Executive Director of the Elk River Alliance, you will lead important initiatives aimed at connecting people to the Elk River watershed in ways that deepen our understanding and contribute to our stewardship of this wonderful river system.  You will work with a small, dedicated team, a diverse Board, and a wide variety of funders on a diverse array of projects.  You will have many opportunities to innovate and to learn.

Responsibilities.  The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the Elk River Alliance.  Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, community engagement, and supervision, coaching and collaboration with staff.  The position reports directly to the Board of Directors. 

As part of the 'Making Community Water Data Matter' initiative, ERA is conducting a community survey to assess monitoring priorities. ERA aims to incorporate community values and concerns into all projects. In order to accomplish this, it is essential that community members take these opportunities to provide feedback. 

Please take 5 minutes to share your opinions on how ERA should move forward with our community-based water monitoring program. Click here to take the survey! 

Canadian folk musician Chris Coole recently released a NEW album 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 the album image 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! 

Local students have been working hard to enhance the West Fernie Wetland, making it more turtle-friendly. The project is part of Wildsight’s EcoStewards program, in partnership with the Elk River Alliance, as part of their Accepting Beavers and Enhancing Wetlands initiative. Wildsight’s EcoStewards offers an opportunity for teachers and students to combine in-depth ecosystem learning with meaningful action, inspired and guided by student interest.

On June 4th, 19 students from Mrs. Bock’s Grade 6 class at Jaffray Elementary Secondary School constructed a turtle nesting site adjacent to the wetland. “Turtles have been nesting in a poor, unsafe location,” said Lee-Anne Walker with the Elk River Alliance. “After constructing an improved south-facing nesting site, reproduction success is expected to improve.”