From record shoreline cleanups to a community-funded field truck, 2025 demonstrated what the Elk Valley community is capable of when it rallies around its river. The Elk River Alliance (ERA) is building its next five years on that foundation, releasing its Annual Report and 2025-2030 Strategic Plan to signify these achievements alongside what comes next.

The updated strategic plan builds directly on ERA’s growth over the past five years, deepening core program areas in education and outreach, community-based water monitoring, and streamside restoration.

The central focus is strengthening community partnerships and shared stewardship vision with Yaq ̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation, recognising that diverse ways of knowing and collective action are integral to meaningful watershed management.

Chad Hughes, ERA’s Executive Director, says this reflects who ERA has become and the relationships built over the last 15 years.

“Our growth has always been community-informed and community-driven and this exciting next chapter is no different. We want to continue strengthening our partnerships, knowledge, and stewardship work so the Elk River and all of us who live and depend on it continue to thrive for generations to come,” said Hughes.

The 2025 Annual Report demonstrates just how much ERA’s community-grounded approach can achieve. A standout moment was when the organisation invested in a small scale native plant nursery as part of the streamside restoration program.

“In year one we were able to raise more than 2,500 native saplings and plant them on priority sites across the Elk Valley,” continued Hughes.

“This would not have been possible without the hundreds of dedicated volunteer hours from our local community. This success has encouraged us to triple our nursery size to 10,000 for 2026, increasing our capacity for positive environmental impact.”

Community generosity was also on full display when ERA raised more than $40,000 to purchase a dedicated field truck after facing the prospect of not being able to undertake any watershed fieldwork in 2025.That same spirit extended to ERA’s 14th Annual Shoreline Cleanup event, where 390 volunteers came together to remove a record 11,261 pieces of trash from the Elk River watershed.

“Whether it’s planting trees, cleaning up the river, or helping us raise valuable funds to achieve our work, the Elk Valley community continues to believe in and support our mission.

“This is why we continue to do what we do. Knowing we have a community of support both behind us and working with us, we can steward our local watershed for years to come. We can’t thank our community enough,” concluded Chad.

ERA marked these achievements at its Annual General Meeting on July 7 at Three Sisters Garden Centre. Held at the 2026 cottonwood nursery, it brought together members, volunteers and partners to reflect on ERA’s work and a look ahead to another season of shared stewardship on the Elk River.

ERA’s Annual Report and Strategic Plan are both available at elkriveralliance.ca.

Lead image: Elk River Alliance 2026 AGM at Three Sisters Garden Centre. Elk River Alliance photo

Elk River Alliance

Article Share