Copper River Watershed Project

In 2024, CRWP's Invasive Plant Program focused on training, identification, and treatment of invasive species threatening habitats in the Copper River watershed and across Alaska through community engagement and partnerships. We involved 60 volunteers and 7 agencies in the manual treatment and survey of the acreage for future control. CRWP also awarded grants to nine organizations in Southcentral and Southeastern Alaska to manage invasive plants on their lands. Additionally, we conducted native plant revegetation at the 2023 Little Tonsina habitat restoration site. The Copper River watershed has a real opportunity for the eradication of certain noxious weeds and protect salmon habitat prior to the need for large-scale intervention and restoration.

Community Tourism: As part of The Organization's mission, they work with local government and business partners to attract small scale independent travelers to the region to help build a sustainable tourism economy. The Organization facilitates organizing the Salmon Jam Festival, a destination weekend event that draws visitors to Cordova from Anchorage and Fairbanks. With post-pandemic innovation, tourism in Cordova is being geared to environmentally-conscious approaches to having visitors engage in the community and wild spaces.

Watershed Education: CRWP offers outdoor, standards-based watershed education for K-12 grade students. The Organization supports a salmon rearing tank and a spring salmon fry release field trip for every school in the Copper River watershed, which engaged 100 3rd - 5th-grade students in 2024. In partnership with federal agencies and other nonprofits, the Organization organized and hosted a leadership-building, field-based fellowship program for 10 local high school students. A ladder approach that highlights stewardship and connection to place has been designed to introduce students to outdoor education opportunities at multiple points over their K-12 school experience.

Recycling: As part of The Organization's mission, they work to promote recycling throughout the Copper River area. The Organization strives to maintain sustainable practices within its own operations and encourages community members to do the same. The Organization has a focus on fish net recycling within Cordova, reducing marine debris and waste ending up in the landfill. As a ROAR partner, we help facilitate recycling and on-site cleanup of recycling containers in the Copper basin.