OUR VISION
We believe the Copper River watershed can have a vibrant, healthy future.
It`s Alaska Invasive Species Awareness Week!
One stubborn invasive plant that we tackle each year in Cordova is Orange hawkweed.
Orange hawkweed was introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental gardening and medicinal plant in Vermont in 1875 and has since spread across the country and into Alaska. Orange hawkweed aggressively competes with surrounding plants for space, light, and soil nutrients, forms dense mats, and produces a chemical that prevents other plants from growing nearby.
You can identify orange hawkweed by looking for:
🌱 Single, mostly leafless stems growing up to 1 ft.
tall
👉🏼Clusters of 5-30 orange-red flowers at the top of
the plant when in bloom
🍃Hairy, basal leaves up to 6 in. long
— Alaska Invasive Species Partnership
How do you get rid of it? Pluck the flower heads and collect them in a trash sack instead of pulling the roots. Breaking the plants roots/stems spreads the rhizomes further. Pluck it and bag it for best results.
Report any sightings in the backcountry at 1-877-INVASIV (1-877-468-2748) or using the AK Weeds ID App.
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CopperRiver.org
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📷 Photo 1 - Serena Herschleb/CRWP: Girls Scout Troop plucking Orange hawkweed from a yard in Cordova. Photo 2 - Mia Siebenmorgen and Samaya Faber removing Orange hawkweed in Cordova. Photo 3 - Michelle McAfee/CRWP: Close-up of Orange hawkweed flowers.
#invasiveplantmanagement #AKISAW #AKISP #Cordova #orangehawkweed
On Saturday, June 13, the Copper River Stewardship Program crew went to McCarthy. They hiked on Root Glacier, were sworn in as junior park rangers, and helped remove white sweetclover, an invasive plant that can fill in gravel bars and change salmon habitat. We`re so happy we had these stewards to help respond!
They returned to Kenny Lake on Sunday where they wrapped up the last day of their adventure through the watershed.
This is an incredible program — thank you to all of our partners and funders for giving this opportunity to our Copper River youth!
ahtnainc, akcommunityfoundation, alyeska_pipeline_service_co, mypubliclands , svitekfoundation, fireweed400, noaa, pwssc, Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council, wise.education.alaska, wrangellstenps.
📷 Kate Trudeau/PWSSC - Stewards in McCarthy exploring Root Glacier, getting sworn in as junior rangers, and helping to pull white sweetclover from a riverside gravel bar.
Yesterday, Kirsten Valentine with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and CRWP`s Field Technician, Maddie Tharp, assisted with fish rescue during dewatering of the Cop 3 site. They saved all they could find and relocated the fish to safer waters during construction of the fish-friendly culvert replacements going in at Copper River Highway (Cop 3) and Sheridan Road (Sher 3).
For more information on our fish passage projects, visit https://copperriver.org/programs/fish-habitat-restoration/culverts-are-the-culprits/
📷 Darcy Saiget/CRWP - Kirsten Valentine and Maddie Tharp rescuing fish during dewatering of the Cop 3 site.
#fishpassage #Cordova #CopperRiverHighway #CopperRiverDelta #fishhabitatrestoration usfws
🐝 Alaska Pollinator Week is June 22-28 and we`re celebrating with fun activities at the Native Plant Garden in Cordova! Join us for a tour of the Native Plant Garden to learn about pollinators and the invasive plants that threaten them. There will be rock painting for kids and information on how to plant native pollinator-friendly gardens.
🗓️ WHEN: June 24, 3-5pm
📍 WHERE: Native Plant Garden behind CCMC along the path around Odiak Pond
👉🏼 For more information contact invasives@copperriver.org
#AlaskaPollinatorWeek #AlaskaNativePlants #Cordova
Fishing season is in full swing across the Copper River region!
The salmon are making their way home, up the Copper River and into the streams that connect this vast, abundant watershed. Together, we can make sure these rivers, streams, and spawning grounds remain healthy for future generations of salmon—and the communities that depend on them.
We`re committed to this work year-round, from monitoring invasive species and stream temperatures to replacing damaged culverts and restoring fish habitat. We`d love for you to be part of it!
🐟 Volunteer at upcoming watershed events
📧 Join our email list to stay informed
💙 Donate to support on-the-ground stewardship efforts
Donate: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/copperriverwatershed/
Email Signup: https://copperriver.org/email-signup/
📸 Michelle McAfee/CRWP — Dipnetters fishing the Copper River.
#CopperRiver #CopperRiverWatershed #SalmonSeason #SalmonFishing #Alaska #WatershedStewardship
The Copper River Stewardship Program crew made it to the Copper Basin!
After an epic ferry ride, they had fun on another ocean cruise yesterday. Next, they head to McCarthy after a visit to the National Park Service visitor center.
Follow the stewards journey here: https://crwp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/9470c6963d924dd19c913570d73598b2
📷 CRSP Team - Stewards making a ferry ride, then exploring another ocean journey on their way to the Copper Basin.
#CopperRiverStewardshipProgram #youtheducation #outdooreducation #copperriverwatershed #copperbasin
The Copper River Stewardship Program (CRSP) crew had some fun in the sun here in Cordova!
Earlier this week, they kayaked at Sheridan Glacier and hiked to Saddlebag Glacier. They learned painting techniques from David Rosenthal, an amazing artist based here in Cordova, and played in the silt at 27 mile on the Copper River Delta.
They boarded the ferry this morning for their journey to Valdez. Stay tuned for more updates!
You can track the stewards daily updates on the mapper: https://crwp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/9470c6963d924dd19c913570d73598b2!
Learn more about the Copper River Stewardship Program at https://copperriver.org/programs/watershed-education/copper-river-stewardship-program/
📷 Kate Trudeau/ pwssc - Stewards having fun in the water and silt at Sheridan Glacier.
The Copper River Stewardship Program is in full swing this week! On Sunday, June 7th Kate Morse spent the day with the stewards on the Copper River Delta. They learned about how the increased melting of glaciers can impact both salmon habitat and our roadways.
Then they embarked on a mission to check minnow traps at different types of wetlands and streams on the floodplain. They found a lot of coho and stickleback, and checked out a construction site where CRWP is replacing a couple failed and undersized culverts. The stewards confirmed there will be some happy coho salmon when restoration is complete!
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Click our bio link and select the Copper River Stewardship Program button to learn more.
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📷 Kate Morse/CRWP - Copper River Stewardship Program participants exploring the Copper River Delta.
#CopperRiverStewardshipProgram #copperriverwatershed #CopperRiverDelta #YouthEducation #OutdoorEducation #Cordova
CORDOVA - This is a construction zone reminder!
Out the road on the Copper River Highway, the speed limit is posted as 15mph where 2 culverts are being replaced at the Copper River Highway and Sheridan Road. Speed should also be reduced over the temporary pipe on Sheridan Road. This is for the safety of personnel working on site.
Thank you for keeping everyone safe while we work to improve fish passage!
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CopperRiver.org
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📷 Darcy Saiget/CRWP - Speed limit posting on the Copper River Highway where Cop 3/Sher 3 culverts are being replaced.
🌎 Happy World Ocean Day!
The Copper River watershed and the ocean are deeply connected. Every year, Copper River salmon journey from freshwater streams to the ocean`s rich feeding grounds and back again, linking ecosystems far and wide.
🌊 Prince William Sound supports an incredible amount of life—220 bird species, 30 land mammal species, and over a dozen marine mammal species with 150 glaciers that shape this powerful landscape.
🐟 On World Ocean Day, we`re grateful for the ocean`s abundance. The health of the ocean directly affects the health of the salmon returning to the waters of Copper River watershed, and the communities that depend on them.
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CopperRiver.org
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📷 Michelle McAfee/CRWP - Prince William Sound.
#WorldOceanDay #copperriverwatershed #PrinceWilliamSound
🎶 Salmon Jam is around the corner! Come to Cordova this summer for a fun, jammin` music and art festival. While you`re having fun, you`ll also be supporting salmon habitat restoration in the Copper River region, and year-round cultural and art activities in Cordova! Bring the kids - there`s something for everyone at Salmon Jam!
💃🏻Come join the fun!
👉🏼WHEN: July 17-18, 2026
📍WHERE: Cordova!
For more information on purchasing tickets, visit www.SalmonJam.org
#SalmonJam #CordovaAlaska #musicandartfestival #fundraiser
CORDOVA - Construction on the culvert replacement project on the Copper River Highway at Sheridan Glacier Road (Cop 3/Sher 3) is underway. Please slow down for the safety of personnel working on site and for other road users coming in the opposite direction.
Crews are installing two culverts that will open fish passage for coho salmon, improve surface conditions, enhance drainage, and support long-term maintenance and access in this area.
Thank you to our partners for helping make this project possible: eyakcorp, the u.s.forestservice, and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.
Find more information on our fish passage projects at https://copperriver.org/programs/fish-habitat-restoration/culverts-are-the-culprits/
📷 Darcy Saiget/CRWP - Cop 3/Sher 3 construction site for the culvert replacement project on the Copper River Highway.
#Cordova #copperriverhighway #roadconstruction
We’re Hiring!
The Copper River Watershed Project is seeking a Stewardship Engagement Specialist to provide educational stewardship experiences for youth and adult participants throughout the Copper River watershed.
Programs will largely be field-based and involve hands-on stewardship activities, including stream and lake clean-ups, habitat restoration, removal of invasive species, collection of native seeds, involving youth and adults in activities that result in positive, tangible impacts to the watershed.
⬇️ For more information on how to apply, click the button below.
Our Programs Making a Difference
