Selkirk Conservation Alliance
Keeping the Wild in the Selkirk Ecosystem
Our Mission:
Engage the public in southern Selkirk resource and land management issues through cooperation, scientific inquiry, education and economic diversity.Our Vision:
The Selkirk Conservation Alliance is the leading and faithful advocate to all who live, love and benefit from Priest Lake and its surroundings. We are committed to understanding, supporting and protecting the environment and all living beings found here. We are dedicated to the educational programs and scientific research that support and maintain this rare and exceptional environment for future generations.Who We Are
Protecting Your Selkirks
Selkirk Conservation Alliance (SCA)
The Selkirk Conservation Alliance (SCA) is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan environmental nonprofit organization founded in 1986. SCA is one of north Idaho’s oldest environmental nonprofits and has been working to protect the land, air, forests, wetlands, wildlife and WATER of the lower Selkirk Mountains and Priest Lake Watershed (over 1.75 million acres) for the past 36 years.Learn More About the SCA & The Selkirk Region
What We Do
SCA is one of north Idaho's oldest environmental nonprofits and has been working to protect the land, air, forests, wetlands, wildlife and WATER of the lower Selkirk Mountains and Priest Lake Watershed for the past 35 years (est. 1987). Recently (winter 2020), through a strategic planning effort and development of a five year Strategic Plan, SCA has decided to focus our limited staff time and funding on WATER quality conservation and protection work in the watershed. SCA has three formal pillar programs that support our work to protect regional surface and groundwater resources; SCA Education Program, SCA Advocacy Program and SCA Scientific Research Program.
Selkirk Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears originally ranged throughout most of western N. America, but were nearly extirpated by the 1970s and were federally listed as a threatened species in 1975. We support one of just 6 grizzly recovery zones here in the Selkirk Ecosystem.
Selkirk Mountain Caribou
Today, woodland caribou are found in only one location south of Canada, which are the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho and northeastern Washington. This small population, which historically numbered in the hundreds of caribou, has been reduced to less than 15 animals.
Campground Safety
From 2012 through 2014, the SCA worked with several eagle scout candidates and boy scout troops to install 16 bear proof food storage lockers in state and federal campgrounds around Priest Lake.
Hydroelectric Projects
SCA is involved in several dam projects, including Sullivan Dam Surrender Project, Boundary Dam Re-Licensing Project, Albeni Falls Dam, and Box Canyon Dam. These waterways are important to native peoples, local communities, and wildlife such as Bull Trout and other fish.
Highway 57 Cleanup
For more than a decade, the SCA has been responsible for litter patrols along a one-mile section of Highway 57 between Priest River and Priest Lake. SCA volunteers meet bi-annually on the first Sunday in May and then again on the first Sunday October to clean our section.
Priest Lake Thorofare
SCA conducts periodic water sampling projects to examine water quality and has deployed remote cameras along the waterbody to try and gain a better sense of how many watercraft are using the channel and document wake zone violations.
Priest Lake Water Studies
SCA participates in the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s Watershed Advisory Group (WAG) for the Priest Lake and Priest River area and conducts routine water quality monitoring on Priest Lake in conjunction with Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
Remote Camera Studies
With the help of our 7 remote motion sensing cameras SCA captures encroachments of critical habitats in non-motorized areas, documents the variety and abundance of wildlife in these areas, and documents recreational use and motorized traffic
Timber Sales & Wildfire
The SCA and many of its member activists closely monitor timber sales within our Advocacy Area to make sure that impacts from timber harvest on wildlife, fisheries, and water quality are mitigated as much as possible
Winter Habitat Studies
From 2008 - 2015 the SCA supported several aerial monitoring flights over critical habitat areas which are closed to motorized vehicles. Each flight documented motorized tracks and activity within the critical habitat closure areas.
Selkirk Ecosystem
The Southern Selkirk Mountain ecosystem encompasses portions of Idaho, Washington and British Columbia. It contains a flora and fauna assemblage unique to the lower 48 States. The SCA continues to be engaged with land management agencies in regards to proposed management activities within the Selkirk Ecosystem.
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Announcing our new Electronic, bi-monthly Newsletter
Our new E-Newsletter is sent out to our members via email.
