Conservation and Restoration
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Flathead River Conservation Project funded
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Generous donations from the Flathead Lakers, Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited, and local foundations helped the Flathead River to Lake Initiative (R2L) partners raise over $128,000 needed to receive a federal grant of $513,000 from the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Thank you!
The funds will allow R2L partners to protect 155 acres along the Flathead River, just upstream from the lake, that help sustain our clean water and natural heritage.
With funding in hand, the Flathead Land Trust will now work with Bob Danford and Terri Peterson to permanently protect the Flathead River Conservation Project by next summer.
Protecting the wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, and important farm soils not only provides important benefits for the community, but it also helps the landowners and future generations continue farming these rich soils.
Click here to see a video about this project.
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Donate to the Flathead River Conservation Project and help conserve the natural beauty and heritage of Flathead River and Lake. The Fund helps R2L partners secure significant federal funding - a boost to our local economy. Thank you!
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Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area gains bird habitat
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This September, the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) along Ashley Creek, west of Kalispell, grew by 257 acres of mostly wetlands and important bird habitat thanks to a partnership between landowners Larry and Maureen Baer, Flathead Land Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Conservation Fund.
The Smith Lake WPA wetland complex provides a critical refueling stop for thousands of birds each year during their epic migrations. It is also a popular fishing and bird watching area, and provides incredible views to people using the Rails to Trails bike path or traveling on Highway 2.
The protection of this land was made possible by funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. The fund helps protect migratory bird habitat throughout the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System.
The Conservation Fund was a critical partner on the project by purchasing the property from the landowners in July, in order to hold it until the US Fish and Wildlife Service could obtain the funds to add these lands to the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area in September. Read more...
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Cow Creek Restoration to reduce pollution to the Whitefish River
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This October, nearly 1,400 trees and shrubs will be planted along Cow Creek, a tributary of the Whitefish River, to reduce sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus pollution in the creek and the Whitefish River. Grazing by livestock and past channelization of the creek are the principal causes of pollution.
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Restoration work also includes fencing along the creek and providing reinforced creek crossings for livestock. These efforts will help reduce nutrients and sediments from entering the creek. Over time, the plants will provide shade to the creek and help reduce water temperatures in the summer, which can reach 75 F.
The Flathead Conservation District worked with the landowners, River Design Group, and numerous partners to submit a grant to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to fund the restoration work.
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Restoration Ecologist Franz Ingelfinger, with MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, is helping implement the project.
The Flathead Conservation District and MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks are partners in the River Steward Program, formed by the R2L Initiative together with the Flathead Lakers, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Soil & Water Conservation Districts of MT to help landowners restore riparian buffers and improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.
Click here to read the Daily InterLake article.
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American birds declining faster than expected
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A recent study published in the journal Science estimated that more than 1 in 4 birds in the United States and Canada have disappeared in the last 50 years. The sheer decline in bird numbers was a surprise. But surprisingly, common backyard birds that are traditionally abundant had declined too, and not just threatened bird species.
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Grassland birds showed the greatest decline in numbers (53%), followed by shoreline (37%) and forests birds (22%). Concerted conservation efforts, however, have made a difference. Thus, wetland birds and raptors, such as the Bald Eagle, saw an increase in bird numbers. "The numbers show that taking steps like wildlife management, habitat restoration, and political action can be effective to save species in steep decline," wrote Jillian Mock, a reporter for Audubon Magazine. Read more...
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*Index of population gain/loss among 392 bird species (placed into 3 groups) designated as “greatest concern” by one or more U.S. states. (2019 Cornell University)
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Wednesdays in October - Waterfowl Wednesdays
Join Flathead Audubon Society bird experts to learn about waterfowl every Wednesday in October from 4 - 5:30 pm at the Park and Ride at the corner of Hwy 93 and Hwy 82 near Somers (weather permitting). Bring your binoculars and/or a spotting scope. For questions, email Jake at jake@hike734.com.
First Tuesday of the Month - Science on Tap-Flathead
Join the Flathead Lakers and the Flathead Lake Biologtical Station for Science on Tap in The Cellar at the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Pubhouse in Bigfork. Presentations begin at 6 pm, but the Cellar opens at 4 pm for beer and food. For more information, visit the SOT website.
Saturday, October 5 - Owen Sowerwine Natural Area Work Party
Explore this beautiful hidden treasure along the Stillwater River near Kalispell while helping Flathead Audubon Society weed and keep these forests healthy. Volunteers will meet at the Montessori School on Willow Glen Drive at 8:30 am. Bring drinking water, work gloves, a hand nipper, dandelion digger, or trowel, and waterproof shoes or rubber boots. For questions, contact Bob Lee at 270-0371 or RML3@centurytel.net.
Monday, October 14 - Restoring Montana's Rivers Program
Ryan Richardson, a Fluvial Geomorphologist with River Design Group, will speak at Flathead Audubon's meeting on Monday, October 14, from 7 - 9 pm, at the Gateway Community Room in Kalispell. For more information visit FAS website.
Wednesday, December 11 - Flathead River to Lake Initiative meeting
Mark your calendars for the next R2L Initiative quarterly meeting on Wednesday, December 11, from 9:00 am to noon at the Flathead Land Trust office in Kalispell. For more information, contact Constanza at 406-883-1341 or criticallands@flatheadlakers.org.
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