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Elakha Alliance

@elakhaalliance.bsky.social

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Working towards the reintroduction of sea otters to help create a more robust & resilient ecosystem in Oregon. #elakhaalliance


Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Did you catch us on Eugene's @npr.org yesterday? Don't worry, we've got it right here for you to listen to ๐Ÿ‘

#seaotters #elakhaalliance #oregon #oregoncoast #seaotter #otters #kelp #kelpforest #NPR

www.klcc.org/podcast/oreg...

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐ŸŽฅ We're excited to share this stunning video, captured by Brett Willyard on June 8th, 2024, featuring two male sea otters off the coast of Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Please do let us know if you spot the sea otters by emailing Info@ElakhaAlliance.org. #seaotters #seaotter #oregon #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Sea otters are not a migratory species, hence why they haven't naturally repopulated on the Oregon coast for over a century. It's only through a translocation process where a stable population could once again thrive along our coastline, which is what we are working towards.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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They are both confirmed male. It's extremely uncommon for females to travel as they are almost always preoccupied with raising a pup. Males have the freedom to search for new rafts of females to mate with.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿ“ฃATTN ๐Ÿ“ฃ The Elakha Alliance is excited to report the sighting of two sea otters at Ecola Point, Cannon Beach on June 28th, 2024. #seaotters #oregon #oregoncoast #seaotter #otters #kelp #kelpforest #elakhaalliance #pnw

elakhaalliance.org/two-sea-otters-spotted-in-cannon-beach-oregon/

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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If you're new to following the #ElakhaAlliance, let us introduce ourselves ๐Ÿ‘‹ We are a non-profit working to restore Oregon's sea otter population to help make our marine ecosystems more robust and resilient ๐Ÿฆฆ๐ŸŒŠ.

#seaotters #oregon #oregoncoast #kelp #kelpforest #marinemammals #pnw #wildlife #ocean

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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We're excited to join Portland resident and author, Joselyn Takacs, on Wed June 26th at 7pm for her debut book release at @powells.bsky.social ๐Ÿฆช!

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Correct!

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Did you know that #graywhales are getting smaller? ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Recent studies show a noticeable decrease in the average size of these majestic giants. Factors like climate change, food scarcity, and human activity are taking a toll on these incredible creatures.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Erik Urdahl, @urdahlphoto #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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โ€ผ๏ธ Researchers have observed a fascinating yet concerning change in our marine ecosystems. During the study period, sessile invertebrates like mussels and barnacles have thrived and become more abundant, while seaweed species, have seen a decline. phys.org/news/2024-06... #oregon #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Peter Hatch and Chanel Hason from the #ElakhaAlliance were recently featured in an Atmos article discussing the reintroduction of sea otters in #Oregon and the cultural importance of this effort. We'd love to hear your thoughts ๐ŸŒ…
#seaotters #otters #OregonCoast #Indigenous #kelpforest #ocean

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Interested in learning how returning #seaotters could economically impact wildlife tourism on #Oregon's south coast ๐Ÿšฃโ€โ™€๏ธ?

Check out our webinar to discover how much income sea otter viewing could benefit our coastal communities ๐Ÿฆฆ!

youtu.be/0hnpghqYPqc #oregoncoast #seaotter #otters #wildlife

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒฒ Happy #WorldEnvironmentDay from Elakha Alliance! ๐ŸŒฒ๐ŸŒŠ

Today, we celebrate the incredible beauty and biodiversity of our planet, with a special focus on the #OregonCoast and its magnificent oceanic ecosystems.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Erik Urdahl | #graywhale #whales #oregon #pnw #wildlife #ocean #whalewatching

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿพ Exciting news! The @elakhaalliance.bsky.social will be tabling at the @orcoastaquarium.bsky.social (๐Ÿ“ธcred) on Saturday June 8th for #WorldOceanDay!

Come by and learn about our efforts to restore #seaotter ๐Ÿฆฆpopulations and protect our beautiful coastal ecosystems.

๐ŸŒŠSea you there! #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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We agree, that combination of beautiful creatures along Oregon's coast again would be magical.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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A network of orgs, researchers, tribes, community leaders, & others has joined to discuss potential sea otter reintroduction to nor. CA & OR with all stakeholders โ€“ including you! This collective is advancing the science needed to decide whether & where to reintroduce #seaotters. #worldotterday

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Reintroduction is a conservation tool that can return a species to historical habitats & restore meaningful ecological connections. A 2022 USFWS assessment concluded that #seaotter reintroduction to historical range would benefit marine ecosystems & help population recovery. ๐Ÿงต๐Ÿฆฆโฌ‡๏ธ

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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After near extinction, the southern sea otter, now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, has made a remarkable comeback but still only inhabits 13% of its historical range. #SeaOtters #WorldOtterDay ๐Ÿงต๐Ÿฆฆโฌ‡๏ธ

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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As a keystone species, #seaotters are vital to maintaining ecosystem biodiversity and resilience. They hunt species like urchins and , which allows kelp and seagrasses to thrive, creates space for other species, and helps combat climate change effects. #WorldOtterDay ๐Ÿงต๐Ÿฆฆ

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Yes, it's going to take a multifaceted approach to combat these urchin barrens. Sea otters aren't the silver bullet, but they are a key puzzle piece to helping restore balance in the marine ecosystem again.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Read the full story here: yachatsnews.com/rise-in-sea-...

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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"This is a good example of an ecosystem that lacks redundancy due to the loss of sea otters. The system could not sustain itself without both the otters and the sea stars." ๐Ÿ‹ ๐Ÿ“ฃ Leigh Torres, who leads the GEMM Lab at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR #graywhales #kelp #seaotters #oregon

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿพ Gather your trivia enthusiasts and ocean lovers for an unforgettable evening at Pelican Brewing Company โ€“ Siletz Bay, where weโ€™re celebrating #WorldOtterDay in style on May 29th!

๐Ÿฆฆ RSVP: www.elakhaalliance.org/event/world-...

#seaotters #seaotter #otters #oregoncoast #oregon #trivia #pelican

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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There's a familiar furry face on the cover of Science Magazine ๐Ÿฆฆ!

Read the full research paper here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

#seaotters #science #research #montereybay #seaotter #otters #marinemammals #california #marinescience

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿคฟ Oregon's southern coast offers scuba divers stunning underwater landscapes, featuring rocky reefs, kelp forests, and abundant marine life, including sea stars, crabs, and various fish species.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Brandon Cole, #oregoncoast #oregon #kelpforest #kelp #pnw #scuba #scubadiving #ocean

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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#Seaotters were once hunted to near extinction for their thick, luxurious fur. Thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have started to recover, but they still face numerous threats, including oil spills, fishing net entanglements, and #climatechange ๐ŸŒ.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Kyle Warren, warren_16

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Teaching our youth about the vital relationship between sea otters and kelp forests is essential. These adorable otters aren't just cute; they play a crucial role in maintaining healthy kelp ecosystems by keeping sea urchin populations in check.
#seaotters #seaotter #kelpforest #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Update from Seaside Aquarium: Last week we monitored two unique yearlings, a Guadalupe fur seal and a Steller sea lion. While small and super cute, both animals were already weaned and off on their own adventure. Thank you to the community who gave them space. #marinemammals #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐ŸคMentally squeezing those wittle cheeks๐Ÿค

DYK sea otters are the only otters to give birth in the water ๐Ÿ’ง and they generally just have one pup a year. When born, sea otter pups weigh from three to five pounds.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Donald M. Jones/Minden Picture #seaotters #seaotter #mothersday #babyanimals

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿ˜ฏ Oh no, did you miss our webinar last week with Environment Oregon on ๐Ÿฆฆ sea otter reintroduction next steps?

๐Ÿ˜„ Not to worry, the recording is now available on our Youtube Channel. #seaotters #seaotter #oregon #oregoncoast #pnw #ocean #kelpforest #kelp

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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"Caught momma sea otter in full embarrassing mode today! ๐Ÿ™ˆ๐Ÿ˜‚ She's always trying to groom me in public. Can't a sea otter pup have a little dignity? ๐Ÿ˜…"

๐Ÿ“ธ: Kyle Warren, @warren_16 #seaotters #seaotter #otters #marinemammals #ocean #kelp #kelpforest #mothersday

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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WEBINAR MAY 8th - 11am PST: ๐Ÿฆซ & ๐Ÿฆฆ
Register at: lnkd.in/grzhJvij
Sleek waterproof fur and webbed feet are just a few of the remarkable similarities between these two mammals who share a gift for shaping their environments. #seaotters #beavers #oregon

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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With the grant support, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians will acquire and safeguard a 42-acre beachfront property that holds immense ecological, cultural, and historical significance. #oregoncoast #Indigenous #oceanconservation theworldlink.com/news/local/6...

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐ŸŸ Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, located off the southern coast of Oregon, is not just a haven for marine life; it's also a historical site. The area was named after the redfish, a species of rockfish abundant in its waters.
๐Ÿ“ธ: Patrick Webster, @underwaterpat.bsky.social | #oregoncoast

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿ“ฃ ๐Ÿฆฆ WEBINAR ALERT: Join us on Thursday May 2nd at 5pm PST as the @elakhaalliance.bsky.social presents the next steps to returning this charismatic marine mammal back to #Oregon waters. The webinar is hosted by our friends at Environment Oregon.

RSVP: t.co/8lmg1NkcbY

๐Ÿ“ธ: Allison Gregor #seaotters

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Hey there! Cape Perpetua is off of the central Oregon coastline.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Discover the enchanting array of creatures inhabiting our nearshore marine ecosystem, contributing to its remarkable diversity and beauty ๐Ÿฆ€๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿš! Thanks to the Cape Perpetua Collaborative for putting this together. #marinelife #ocean #oregoncoast #tidepools #tidepool #pnw

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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That'd be a fun experiment... let us know ๐Ÿ˜€!

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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How wild! Nature is so cool ๐Ÿ’œ

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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OoooooO that is something we are not sure of, let us know if you find out the answer!

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Great question - this particular sea otter was found washed up deceased on the beach in Morro Bay. Morro Bay State Parks collected the skull, and it is now on display for educational purposes in their museum. For this photo, they wet the skull to showcase the saturated purple color.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Appreciate you!

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Glad we could teach you something fun today ๐Ÿ’œ

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Sea otters eat the orange gonads of purple sea urchins, and sometimes parts of their test (shell) get consumed in the mix. But, sea otters also ingest the chemical compound from the sea urchins that give them their purple color - hence, what we have on display here.

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Is that really a purple #seaotter skull ๐Ÿฆฆ๐Ÿ’€?! Why, yes it is.

This phenomenon is known as echinochrome staining. It occurs when sea otters consume copious amounts of echinochrome-containing prey items like #seaurchins.

๐Ÿ“ธ: Peter Monteforte & Morro Bay State Parks #funfact #seaotters #ocean

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿ’™ Today, we presented to a class of kindergartners about #seaotters and their role as a keystone species in the #kelp forest ecosystem . As a thank you, we received this adorable drawing and letter from one of the students .

#seaotter #otters #education #seaurchins #seaurchin #funfact

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Over 150 students at the @uoregon.bsky.social petitioned to return #seaotters back to #Oregon ๐Ÿฆฆ for #EarthDay!

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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May the 4th be with you ๐Ÿ’ซ, and with #seaotters ๐Ÿฆฆ !

Register bit.ly/Ocean5k

Join us for the first ever Corvallis 5K Fun Run & #Ocean Awareness Event on May 4th from 1-5pm! This event is a fundraiser for the Elakha Alliance's efforts to restore #Oregon's sea otter population. #Corvallis #FunRun

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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Happy #EarthDay ๐ŸŒ ! Today, let's take a moment to celebrate the breathtaking beauty and incredible biodiversity of the #OregonCoast. From the rugged cliffs to the pristine beaches, this coastal wonderland reminds us of the importance of preserving our planet's natural treasures. #Ocean #PNW #Oregon

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Elakha Alliance's avatar Elakha Alliance @elakhaalliance.bsky.social
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๐Ÿ’™๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿฆฆ Today, Chanel Hason, Elakha's Director of Outreach & Community Relations, had the privilege of virtually presenting to 120 enthusiastic 4th graders & 5th graders at Ocean Park Elementary School about the wonders of #seaotters and the vital role of #kelpforests in our marine ecosystems.

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