About Us

The Elakha Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Oregon’s marine and coastal ecosystems and communities by working to restore a thriving population of sea otters along the Oregon coast.

The word Elakha (pronounced ee-LAK-uh) comes from the Chinook trading language and means “sea otter.” For over 10,000 years, sea otters thrived in Oregon’s coastal waters, playing a vital role as a keystone species in maintaining ecological balance. However, by 1910, they were hunted to local extinction, leaving the marine environment less resilient.

The idea for the Elakha Alliance first emerged in 1999 when the late David Hatch, a Siletz Tribal Member, was searching for a name for a boat he was building with his son, Peter. He discovered the word el-la-ke, which ignited a journey of curiosity and advocacy, ultimately leading him to champion the restoration of sea otters to the waters where they once thrived alongside Indigenous peoples.

Following David Hatch’s unexpected passing in 2016, his vision lived on through a dedicated Board of Directors organized by Bob Bailey. In 2018, the Elakha Alliance was officially founded, bringing together Tribal members, nonprofit leaders, scientists, and conservation advocates with a shared goal: an Oregon coast where future generations coexist with a vibrant sea otter population and a healthy marine ecosystem.

Initially fiscally sponsored by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation, the Elakha Alliance became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in April 2020. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

To delve deeper into our origins and mission, we invite you to read a comprehensive publication in the Open Spaces online magazine, authored by Board President Bob Bailey and Board Member Peter Hatch.