|
Welcome to the quarterly River to Lake newsletter.
|
|
Conservation and Restoration
|
|
A decades long conservation dream along the Flathead River
|
|
|
|
Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project, Photo by Laura Katzman, Flathead Land Trust.
|
|
River to Lake Initiative partners are excited to support Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and the Flathead Land Trust proposal to purchase 800 acres of critical lands along 1.6 miles of the Flathead River at the mouth of Bad Rock Canyon east of Columbia Falls, to create a new public Wildlife Management Area.
“This project creates a unique opportunity to protect wildlife habitat and public access on the doorstep of the Gateway to Glacier and along the Flathead River,” said MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Supervisor Jim Williams.
The land is owned by the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, across the river from, but not including, the former aluminum plant site. The Company gave R2L partners until December of 2021 to obtain the funding to purchase the property. MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Flathead Land Trust have secured $5.3 million toward the purchase so far. The Land Trust, Flathead Lakers, and others are committed to help FWP raise $500,000 in non-Federal match needed to bring this important conservation project, named Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project, to fruition.
“Protecting this parcel along the river has been our goal for nearly two decades. It is a hidden gem between Glacier Park and Flathead Lake that provides incredible benefits” said Constanza von der Pahlen with the Flathead Lakers.
The property is located on a narrow passage connecting core grizzly bear habitat between the Whitefish and Swan mountains ranges, just downstream of Bad Rock Canyon - hence the name for the project. This strategically located land also provides winter range for elk and white-tailed deer, is a vital stopover for migratory birds to refuel on their migration, and provides important habitat for 43 Species of Greatest Conservation Need and 192 species of birds.
The property includes 700 acres of healthy riparian forest, 80 acres of wetlands, a mile of a warm spring creek. The wetlands and cottonwood gallery forests also help safeguard the healthy function and excellent water quality of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake. The project would also add to a 12,000-acre network of critical lands conserved by R2L partners along 50 miles of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake downstream of Columbia Falls.
The project will also create new public access and recreational opportunities near Columbia Falls. FWP Wildlife Management Areas are managed with wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation as the foremost concern, but FWP will seek public input on the types of potential public access opportunities such as a trail for hikers, bikers, and birdwatchers, and continuation of the youth and disabled hunting opportunities for deer and elk. Click here to view more photos and information about this project.
|
|
Bird's eye view of Bad Rock Canyon
Take this video tour of the 800 acres of land along the Flathead River, and discover what makes this place special and in need of protecting.
Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project - created by the Flathead Land Trust.
|
|
|
Help us protect 800 acres of critical habitat along the Flathead River. You can help support this important conservation project by making a donation today. Thank you!
|
|
New conservation easement along Goodrich Bayou
|
|
|
Goodrich Bayou is a back channel to the Flathead River frequented by numerous waterfowl, otters, bears, coyotes and herons. In September, Chrysta Bourne donated a conservation easement on her 37 acres bordering the Bayou to be held by the Flathead Land Trust to protect its wildlife values. A large portion of the property also has prime farming soils if irrigated, an important resource in the Flathead Valley. Special thanks to the landowner for the conservation gift to the Flathead community!
|
|
When Randy Hohf heard about the Flathead Rain Garden Initiative program, he quickly jumped on the opportunity to build a native plant garden in his backyard.
“I’ve long wanted native plants in my yard, both for the sake of pollinators and to help me feel more like I’m in the places I love, such as Glacial National Park. This way I can bring a piece of the wilderness and mountains into my city backyard. It added a beautiful component to my yard while helping to protect the aquifer and our local lakes from pollution.” -Randy Hohf
Randy, a public-school science teacher and education coordinator for sustainability programming, liked the fact that this program also helps clean water during stormwater events by filtering rain off our roofs and redirecting it into the ground and our aquifers, before flooding our streets where they pick up pollutants.
This first year, six landowners received assistance to design and build rain gardens, including help with funds to buy native plants. The Rain Garden Initiative program was created through a partnership between the Flathead Conservation District and the City of Kalispell. For more information and to learn how to sign up next spring visit Flathead Rain Garden Initiative, DIY Workbook.
|
|
|
|
Rain garden during and after construction.
|
|
Planting assistance programs for landowners
by the Flathead Conservation District
|
|
|
New Watershed Support Program: Landowners along Ashley Creek may now qualify for funding to improve the health of the creek and its surrounding lands. Projects may include stream bank stabilization, riparian plantings, livestock fencing, and off-site water for livestock.
Seedlings Program: Landowners can order young plants for conservation practices from the Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery through the Flathead Conservation District. Large orders can be made directly with the nursery.
Flathead Pollinator Initiative: Free wildflower seeds are available to landowners to create or improve pollinator habitat - large and small.
Native Grass Seed: Locally developed native grass seed mixes for the Flathead Valley are now available for purchase at CHS Kalispell.
For more information and questions about any of these programs check the Conservation District's website or contact Samantha Tappenbeck at samantha@flatheadcd.org or 406-752-4242.
|
|
|
Wednesday, December 16 - Flathead River to Lake Initiative meeting
The next R2L Initiative quarterly meeting will be virtual on Wednesday, Dec. 16, starting at 9:00 am. For more information, contact Constanza von der Pahlen at constanza@flatheadlakers.org or 406-883-1341.
Flathead Conservation District's online webinars:
Fall Planting for Pollinators
Noxious Weeds Management
Gardening for Water Conservation
Wildfire Ready! Preparing for Fire Season in the Flathead
All archived webinars
|
|
|
|
|
