Shifting Tides | Every Adventure Gives Back

Total Positive Impact To Date | Membership Since April 2026

10

individuals receive education on the cultural and environmental significance of sea otters for every $10 dollars donated

100 %

donated to Elakha Alliance Oregon

$ 1

dollar per ticket purchased funds Elakha Alliance Oregon

Charity MIssion

Restore a healthy population of sea otters to the Oregon coast and to thereby make Oregon’s marine and coastal ecosystem more robust and resilient.

 

Why is it important?

Sea otters have been missing from Oregon’s ecosystem for 110 years due to the 19th-century fur trade, but that is only a fraction of the amount of time they thrived here. One of the Elakha Alliance’s tasks is to advance the understanding of Oregon’s former sea otters, from before recorded history through to today. As a keystone species, sea otters are critical to maintaining the productivity and diversity of kelp forests. Without these marine mammals actively keeping the urchin population in check, kelp forests could turn into barren marine deserts, leading to a significant drop in biodiversity, and harming the overall marine ecosystem. Sea otters are often deemed “climate warriors” as they help in sequestering carbon by promoting healthy kelp forests. These forests absorb CO2 thereby reducing its concentration in our atmosphere. The return of these magnificent aquatic creatures represents a massive stride not just for Oregon but the entire ecosystem. 

How do they do it?

  • The Southern Oregon Coast was determined to be the best suitable habitat location for a potential sea otter reintroduction based on Elakha 2022 Scientific Feasibility Study. Their small non-profit of three remote employees operates with a primary focus on the 362 miles of Oregon Coastline. In September 2019 along with continual updates, the Alliance’s board of directors adopted a Strategic Plan following a process that involved conversations with dozens of stakeholders representing tribal, government, fishing, nonprofit, and other perspectives. Their strategic initiatives include completing a scientific assessment and public policy analysis necessary to determine the feasibility and impacts of restoring and protecting a healthy sea otter population in Oregon. Building a regional consensus that a restored, healthy Oregon sea otter population is an important goal worth pursuing. After these first two are warranted, they will continue to reintroduce a viable population of sea otters to one or more suitable sites on the Oregon coast, with follow-up monitoring, and build the Alliance’s organizational capacity to implement this Strategic Plan.
  • Community engagement will be crucial to the success of Elakha in order to reach good decisions about sea otter restoration, especially those groups and individuals most likely affected. This includes tribes, shellfish harvesters, fishermen, ports, businesses, conservation organizations, and local, state, and federal governments. A key goal in the Alliance strategic plan will be forging partnerships. Key pieces of the work needed will be accomplished by other entities that share the Alliance’s Vision and have the appropriate resources, skills, and/or legal authority. 

How you can #TravelKindly:

 

 

  • Reserve an adventure at Shifting Tides in Oregon, where every adventure gives back. Each adventure includes a donation to the Elakah Alliance. Reserve Now.
  • Visitors can get involved with the efforts of the Elakha Alliance by following their efforts' latest updates on Instagram @ElakhaAlliance
  • Future volunteer efforts can be found here
  • Sign up for Elakha’s monthly newsletter
  • To learn more and stay up to date, follow Shifting Tides on Instagram or subscribe to the newsletter .

 

About Shifting Tides

Shifting Tides is an educational platform dedicated to sharing the wonders of wild intertidal ecosystems along the Oregon Coast. Through hands-on tidepool tours and coastal foraging workshops, it helps participants connect more deeply with the marine environment—exploring seaweeds, shellfish, and the intricate ecological relationships that define the shoreline.

By blending science, stewardship, and immersive experience, Shifting Tides fosters meaningful connections to coastal ecosystems while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

Learn more about the partners

Shifting Tides Elakha Alliance

Learn more about Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back community impact program