Conservation and Restoration
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Progress on Flathead River Conservation Project
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A picture is worth a thousand words” rings true for this 155-acre property along the Flathead River, where wetlands, forests, farmland, and the river come together.
Nearly half of the funds needed to conserve this River to Lake Initiative project’s special wetland, river, habitat and farm land attributes have been raised from grants and special donations.
"Thanks to generous individual donations and grants, we have secured over $61,000 dollars toward the funds we need to match a significant federal grant to complete this project,” said Paul Travis, Flathead Land Trust Executive Director.
River to Lake Initiative partners have until October to secure the remaining $66,000 needed to protect this special place.
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Partners are planning fun events to showcase the project and raise the needed funds, including a summer solstice party on the North Shore of Flathead Lake, guided boat tours of the property, and more.
Stay tuned for events, or email Laura Katzman at lkatzman@flatheadlandtrust.org to receive information about events. To host a fundraising party, contact Constanza von der Pahlen at 883-1341 or criticallands@flatheadlakers.org.
Help us spread the word by sharing this video about the project! Special thanks to the Horne Family Foundation, Vital Ground, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Conoco Philips Spirit of Conservation Program for their support.
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78 Acres Protected in the North Fork Flathead River Watershed
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The North Fork Flathead River valley is a natural jewel. Many North Fork landowners have placed conservation easements on their properties over the years to conserve clean water, habitat, and all they support for future generations.
Molly Shepherd recently worked with the Flathead Land Trust to place 78 acres in a conservation easement. The easement allows her to manage the land under the Tree Farm Program while conserving wildlife habitat. Her woods and seasonal wetlands are known to host moose, bear, mountain lions, wolves, lynx, elk, fox, and over 80 species of migrant birds.
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North Fork Flathead River Valley photo by Lock
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A Conversation with Ashley Creek Landowners
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The Flathead Lakers organized a meeting for landowners near Ashley Creek to discuss water quality problems and potential solutions in the creek. Twenty-four landowners and 11 River to Lake Initiative partners and speakers participated in the December meeting.
“Ashley Creek needs our help. The creek’s water is polluted. There are lots of algae and the water is warmer than it should be,” said landowner and Flathead Lakers board member Dick Siderius who planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs along half a mile of the creek with the help of our local River Steward Program and FVCC volunteers. He hopes his project will inspire other landowners to help restore Ashley Creek.
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 Ashley Creek is listed as impaired by the Montana DEQ. Because it is listed, there is state and local funding available to help landowners make improvements to the creek. If you would like more information about fencing or restoring streamside riparian vegetation along Ashley Creek, please Contact Constanza von der Pahlen, criticallands@flatheadlakers.org. Watch our River Steward Program video to learn more about protecting and improving water quality in streams.
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Ranching for Rivers Funding Opportunity
The Ranching for Rivers is a cost-share program to help landowners along streams and rivers build fences, stream crossings, and watering systems for livestock, to protect water quality. This program is currently accepting applications. For more information or to apply, contact Samantha Tappenbeck at 406-291-6314 or stappenbeck@macdnet.org, or visit the program's website.
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Fence protects young trees planted along creek. Photo by Will Parson.
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Network for Landscapes Conservation (NLC) published Pathways Forward: Progress and Priorities in Landscape Conservation, a 2018 report assessing trends, innovative case studies, and major new facts and figures in support of landscape conservation. The report highlights the importance of protecting large resilient landscapes.
It points out that there is growing private and public support to fund land conservation that provides ecosystem services, in particular when it helps protect drinking water supplies. However, surveys also indicate that most people do not know where their water comes from. Education is needed to show the linkage between water quality and water utility fees, bonds, and taxes that support landscape conservation.
The report also stresses that a key to landscape conservation success is having the capacity to coordinate and convene stakeholders to advance collaboration. Yet, this receives little funding support. Click here to read the report.
“Healthy, connected natural landscapes are essential – for clean water, healthy ecosystems, cultural heritage, vibrant communities and economies, climate resilience, climate mitigation, flood and fire control, outdoor recreation, and local sense of place.” - Pathways Forward
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February 4, 8:30 - 10:30 am
Flathead County Trails Plan
Flathead County Parks, Recreation, and Weed Board will meet Monday, Feb. 4 8:30-10:30 am, at 311 FFA Drive, Kalispell, to review the draft Flathead County Trails Plan. The plan, last updated in 2010, focuses on connectivity between existing and planned trail systems. The draft plan is available at the County website, along with a map of existing and proposed trails.
February 5, 6 pm
Science on Tap: How fish otoliths can be used as a forensic tool
The Flathead Lakers and Flathead Lake Biological Station sponsor the Science on Tap at the Flathead Lake Brewing Company in Bigfork. Next Tuesday, Feb. 5, Sam Bourret, Fisheries Biologist, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, will discuss how tiny bones in a fish's ear are used to help understand fish migration, stock composition, and natal origin, and how they can also reveal important information about illegally introduced fish. For more information or to reserve a seat, check the Science on Tap-Flathead website.
February 9, 10 am - noon
Winter Birds and Tracks with Denny Olson
Want to see a Pileated woodpecker or a Cedar waxwings? This field trip scouts an area of Kalispell where these and other woodpeckers are frequently observed. Audubon Educator Denny Olson will lead this field trip on Saturday Feb. 9 from 10 am to noon. Participants will learn natural history facts and lore about winter birds, their songs, tracking, and botanizing. For more information visit www.flatheadaudubon.org. To register contact Denny at 249-3987 or auduboneducator@gmail.com.
February 17, 10 am - 1 pm
The Great Backyard Count
You can participate in your backyard in this annual count of birds to create a snapshot of bird populations around the world. Or you can join Audubon members on Sunday, Feb. 17 from 10 am to 1 pm for a fun outing to identify and count birds. If you participate on your own, report your sightings online at birdcount.org. For more information contact Kathy at 837-3837 or visit www.flatheadaudubon.org.
March 13-15
Montana Lakes Conference
The Whitefish Lake Institute is hosting the Montana Lakes Conference on March 13-15. Diverse resource professionals will share information about scientific research and management strategies that promote clean and healthy lake and reservoir ecosystems. Visit the Montana Lakes Conference website for more information and to register. Conference registration ends February 19. Contact Cynthia, cynthia@whitefishlake.org, for information on lakefront landowner and student scholarships, and other discounts available.
March 20, 9 am - noon
Flathead River to Lake Meeting
Mark your calendars for the next R2L Initiative quarterly meeting on Wednesday, March 20 from 9:00 to noon at the Flathead Land Trust office in Kalispell. For more information, contact Constanza at 883-1341 or criticallands@flatheadlakers.org.
March 21, TBD
Montana Wetland Council Meeting
The Montana Natural Heritage Program is sponsoring the next Montana Wetland Council meeting on Thursday, March 21 in Helena. The program will include presentations on adaptive wetland management and indicators of disturbance related to wetland function. For more information contact Stephen Carpenedo, Senior Wetland Specialist, MDEQ Wetland Program, SCarpenedo2@mt.gov, (406) 444-3527.
June 21, TBD
Summer Solstice Party
Mark your calendar for a fun evening on the beautiful North Shore of Flathead Lake! Singer-songwriter Mike Murray is donating his musical talents to entertain and help us raise funds for our project to conserve a very special property on the Flathead River (see above for more information about the project). Stay tuned for more information or contact Laura at 752-8293 or lkatzman@flatheadlandtrust.org.
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