OUR VISION
We believe the Copper River watershed can have a vibrant, healthy future.
Looking for a job to finish out the summer? CRWP is hiring a Plant Program Field Technician in Cordova.
This is a field-based, temporary, full-time position from August 18 - September 30 with the potential for extension depending on tasks and weather. This position is based out of Cordova, Alaska, 20-40 hours week, Monday-Friday, and includes native seed harvesting, recording data via Survey 123, collecting genetically variable seeds utilizing the Seeds of Success protocol (SOS), and processing seed for germination testing.
The technician will also assist in educational outreach opportunities that will increase awareness and understanding of native seed harvesting to community residents at various community events and with local students.
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For more information and to apply, visit https://copperriver.org/about-us/job-opportunities/
#jobopportunity #CordovaAlaska #PlantTechnician
Each summer, the Copper River Stewardship Program takes 10 youth from communities throughout the region on an in-depth adventure through the Copper River watershed. They raft, hike, and camp giving them an opportunity to see what is thriving in the region, and what challenges the watershed faces.
The participants then do a final project at the end of the program focused one something they wanted to learn more about or focus attention on.
Lilly Simpler recently completed her final project on White sweetclover in the Copper Basin, using art to inform observers about the aggressive invasive plant. It is on display at the CRWP office on Main Street in Cordova. Drop in and take a look!
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For more information on the Copper River Stewardship Program, visit https://copperriver.org/programs/watershed-education/copper-river-stewardship-program/
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#CopperRiverStewardshipProgram #CopperRiver #copperriverwatershed #youthartproject #whitesweetclover
Lakota McRoberts joined the CRWP Invasive Plant Management Team to source new collection locations of native seed for restoration use! The team has traveled throughout the Copper River basin to scout out large spreads of native plant populations that were presenting their seed. The collections are performed through the Seeds of Success program which helps to train Alaskan outdoor entities in the gathering of native plant seeds for reseeding purposes in places such as disturbed areas of recreation, invasive plant infestations, burns, floods, or construction areas.
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Find more information on our invasive plant management program at https://copperriver.org/programs/invasive-plant-management/
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📷 Amanda Jackson/CRWP - Photo 1: Lakota McRoberts and CRWP plant technician Rachel Ryan look for native seed populations. Photo 2: Alvin Albert collects location data of native plants. Photo 3: CRWP`s Rachel Ryan getting an up-close photo of native plants in the Copper Basin.
#nativeplants #nativeseedharvesting #alaskanativeplants #CopperBasin
Our Copper Basin team facilitated a Salmon Education day this month which included a fun game where youth pretended to be a salmon swimming upstream encountering the challenges salmon face in rivers.
It’s a great way for kids to learn about salmon and the healthy habitat they need to make it all the way upriver to spawn.
CopperRiver.org
#copperriverwatershed #youthprogram #salmoneducation
This month Amanda Jackson, our Watershed Stewardship Program Manager, and our awesome Plant Technicians Rachel Ryan and Alvin Albert, facilitated salmon education for Copper Basin youth. They got be salmon for a day, and run "upstream" passing through a "culvert" and tried to reach the source of the river holding a cupful of "salmon eggs." Much fun was had by all and it was a great way for youth to gain a deeper understanding of the journey salmon make uprivers and streams in the region.
CopperRiver.org
📷 Amanda Jackson/CRWP - Copper Basin youth playing a salmon education game.
#salmoneducation #CopperBasin #copperriverwatershed #youthprogram
Flying into Cordova gives just a small glimpse of the Delta. Such a beautiful, amazing place! This is where the salmon begin the upriver journey and the river ends in the sea. We’re grateful for this powerfully abundant place. 🐟🦢🐦⬛🪺
CopperRiver.org
`Tis the season for controlling orange hawkweed before it spreads!
Cordovans can remove and properly dispose of seed heads in one of two ways:
1. Since orange hawkweed seeds remain viable for a minimum of seven years, you can store seed heads in a securely tied bag for at least seven years.
2. Or, enclose seed heads in a securely tied bag and incinerate in a hot fire.
Make sure to ONLY remove the seed heads from the top of the plant and not dig up or pull the plant – digging or pulling the plant causes the plant to spread via the rhizomes.
-DO NOT throw seed heads in the garbage, leave seed heads on the ground once clipped, or throw seed heads directly on a fire without being enclosed in a bag.
-DO NOT burn seed heads in a fire you plan to recreate around, as the smoke can cause an allergic reaction due to the toxins within the plant.
-Always wear gloves when clipping seed heads to avoid contact with the plant`s toxins.
👉🏼 For more information on invasive plant management, visit https://copperriver.org/programs/invasive-plant-management/
Last Sunday, a group of plant enthusiasts rallied for the Tour de Plants walk led by Pete Johnson and Madison Seigler from the U.S. Forest Service - Chugach National Forest and CRWP`s Plant Technician Serena Herschleb and our wonderful intern Maddie Tharp. The group identified native plants on the Ski Hill in Cordova, learning identification tips like "Sedges have edges, rushes are round, and grasses are hollow right up from the ground."
The group then strolled down the hill towards town through neighborhoods where invasive plants began to show up along roadways and in yards, and were given information on how to manage those invasive plants. It was a fun Sunday stroll with plant lovers in Cordova!
CopperRiver.org
📷 Michelle McAfee/CRWP - U.S. Forest Service staff Pete Johnson and Madison Seigler along with CRWP`s Serena Herschleb and Maddie Tharp led a group of plant enthusiasts to identify native plants and invasive species in Cordova.
#nativeplants #CordovaAlaska #invasiveplants #copperriverwatershed #plantlovers #learningplants #plantidentification
Many invasive plants are going to seed right now in the region, including reed canarygrass in Cordova. It can hide in obvious and not so obvious places - even near your yard!
Reed canarygrass reduces shelter for small mammals and waterfowl and traps more sediment than native species, which can eventually restrict the flow of waterways and damage salmon habitat. That may not sound concerning with this invasive plant in your yard, but when the grass goes to seed, those seeds can blow in the wind, and be carried by birds, people, and vehicles right into our waterways and salmon habitats.
The best way to keep this invasive plant in check is to clip the seeds heads into a bag then burn it. If you clip and leave the clippings on the ground, the plant may still be able to finish making seeds, so containing the seeds heads in a bag is important!
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For more information on managing invasive plants visit https://copperriver.org/programs/invasive-plant-management/
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📷 Michelle McAfee/CRWP - CRWP Staff Alexis Cooper spotted reed canarygrass in Cordova and clipped the seeds heads into a bag.
#reedcanarygrass #CordovaAlaska #invasiveplantmanagement
Salmon Jam was a blast! We`d like to give a big, warm shout out to our CRWP Staff who put in a lot of time and effort to help make this event happen. This dream team is creative, works hard, and has a lot fun too! Thanks for making this year`s Salmon Jam one to remember!
CopperRiver.org
#SalmonJam #CordovaAlaska #StaffShoutOut
Big thanks to everyone who participated in our Wish Board at Salmon Jam! Ashley Taylor won the stained glass art and Sarah Sturgess won the Knot Crazy May. Congratulations to the lucky winners! 🎉
CopperRiver.org
The party`s over! Thanks to a great crew of volunteers who stepped up to break down the Salmon Jam festival grounds yesterday. And big thanks to the band members of Good Company who helped take down the big tents! As they say, "Many hands make light work."
#SalmonJam #CordovaAlaska
This is a field-based, temporary, full-time position from August 18 – September 30 with the potential for extension depending on tasks and weather. Based out of Cordova, this position is 20-40 hours week, Monday-Friday, and includes native seed harvesting, recording data via Survey 123, collecting genetically variable seeds utilizing the Seeds of Success protocol (SOS), and processing seed for germination testing. Please apply by August 9, 2025.
Watch our Annual Meeting Presentation to get the full update on the progress and projects of the Copper River Watershed Project.
Our Programs Making a Difference
