Elkhorn Forever On Track to Raise $12 Million

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation has raised $11 million toward its $12 million goal for Elkhorn Forever—a campaign to protect and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. One of California’s rare ecological gems—Elkhorn Slough is a breathtaking expanse of tidal wetlands teeming with wildlife, from southern sea otters and migratory shorebirds to endangered plants and amphibians.

Launched in April, this landmark initiative is the Foundation’s most comprehensive effort yet to secure the future of this precious resource. 

The campaign kicked off with a celebration held at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve’s Visitor Center for supporters, local leaders, and conservation advocates. The Foundation detailed their vision for the Slough’s future, one that is centered on long-term resilience, restoration, and land protection. 

“Our goal is to secure the long-term health of the Slough and ensure that future generations can experience its beauty, just as we do today,” said Mark Silberstein, the Foundation’s executive director. “The threats facing this ecosystem are real, and now is the time to act boldly and decisively.”

Elkhorn Slough is California’s largest tidal wetland south of San Francisco Bay. Not only is it a beautiful place, it also helps filter water, prevent coastal erosion, and provide habitat for over 700 species of plants and animals, 16 of which are threatened or endangered. Despite four decades of conservation success, the Slough now faces growing challenges from development, groundwater depletion, and climate-related pressures like wildfire and sea-level rise.

The Elkhorn Forever campaign is structured around two key objectives: a $9 million Rapid Response Land Acquisition Fund and a $3 million Stewardship Fund. These resources will empower the Foundation to act quickly when critical lands become available and ensure that both new and existing properties are expertly cared for into the future. Every dollar raised will directly support the long-term health of the Slough’s unique ecosystem. 

“Federal investments in Reserves are often the seed that leads to funding from other sources,” said Rebecca Roth, Director of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association. “Thanks to the leadership and dedication of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, the federal investment in the Elkhorn Slough Reserve has been multiplied many times over—bringing even more resources to protect the estuary and support the communities that depend on it.”

With $11 million already raised, the community has shown strong support. But there’s more to do. The Foundation is calling on local residents, nature lovers, philanthropists, and policymakers to get involved. Whether it’s through financial contributions, volunteering, or advocacy, each act of support brings the Foundation closer to its goal of conserving 30% of the slough’s watershed by 2030. 

“Elkhorn Slough is not just a place of stunning beauty—it is a living, breathing ecosystem that provides countless benefits to the region,” says Steve Dennis, Elkhorn Forever co-chair. “It belongs to all of us, and together, we can ensure that it remains a thriving sanctuary for wildlife and a cherished place for people to experience nature.”To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit www.elkhornslough.org/forever.