River 2 Lake

River to Lake Initiative

The River to Lake Initiative is a collaborative effort to conserve and restore our Flathead River and Lake natural heritage – excellent water quality, outstanding scenic and recreation values, abundant fish and wildlife, and prime farm land .

News & Events

Learn about inexpensive ways to add native plants to your landscape. Presentation on Wednesday, May 16 at 7 PM the Discovery Center in Columbia Falls. Learn more..

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Bigfork Bird Club outings. Learn about nesting waterfowl and other birds using our wetlands and river corridors. Meet at the Bigfork Nature Trail on Sunday, April 29 and May 6, 13, 20, 27, from 8 to 10 AM. Learn more…

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Owen Sowerwine Needs Your Help.  Montana Audubon has issued an Action Alert requesting your letters of support for this Important Bird Area near Kalispell. Letters of support are needed by April 30 to ensure this land is included in a “land swap” between Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. For more information and details go to Montana Audubon’s website.

Plan Now for Spring Planting. Thinking about a planting project along your river banks? Visit with our partners the Flathead Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service (if you farm) to find out about technical or financial assistance available for weeding, planting, and fencing (for cattle or wildlife).  Visit the Conservation District’s website or contact Patti Mason, Watershed Coordinator, at 752-4220 for more information.

New Waterfront Landscapes Brochure. Learn how to keep your view plus a whole lot more with the new Waterfront Landscapes brochure. The brochure shows how landowners can create beautiful landscapes with native plants while also protecting clean water and wildlife habitat, and adding value to their property. To view the brochure check our Publications & Maps or visit the Flathead Conservation District (752-4220) or Flathead Lakers (883-1341) to get a hard copy.

Read more News, Events & Publications…

Our Flathead Heritage

“We say we own (the land), but at the end of the day, we’re just tenants. And it’s our obligation to leave it in better shape than when we took it over. We take pride in that. Now we know people will enjoy this place – will enjoy this open space – for a long time.”   –Tom Siderius, Farmer & Flathead River Landowner

The River to Lake Initiative encompasses the main stem of the Flathead River (from the junction of the North, Middle and South Forks) to the North Shore of Flathead Lake in Northwest Montana.

Quality of life: The river and lake support our recreation heritage and benefit the economy in many ways. By protecting the Flathead River to Lake system, we protect our quality of life and the thread that connects us as Flathead Valley residents.

Clean Water: Flathead Lake’s famous clear water depends on the wetlands, floodplains and vegetated stream and river banks upstream. These critical lands naturally absorb, filter and clean stormwater runoff before it reaches the river and lake.

Habitat: The Flathead River and Lake system, in Northwest Montana, provides habitat for native fish and an incredible array of wildlife, including critical nesting and migratory stopover areas for thousands of waterfowl. This habitat supports our fishing and hunting tradition.

Farming: The sediments deposited by the river during the time of glaciers created some of the richest soils in Montana, supporting the Flathead’s farming heritage.

Over 10,000 acres of critical wetlands, riparian areas, habitat and farm lands protected.

What will your legacy be?

River to Lake partners provide incentives and options for interested landowners to conserve critical habitat, restore vegetated stream banks, and sustain farms.

These critical lands help protect water quality and encompass some of the valley’s best native fish and wildlife habitat and agricultural soils. To learn more about how you can participate, please see the how you can help section of this web site or contact us.