Conservation and Restoration
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New conservation project protects critical north shore wetlands
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A new conservation easement project completed this spring protects 45 wetland acres on the North Shore of Flathead Lake. Linda and David Kurfess, in partnership with the Flathead Land Trust, placed a conservation easement on their property along the north shore of Flathead Lake.
The property is adjacent to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area and provides vital bird habitat.
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River to Lake partners have now conserved 542 acres on the north shore, protecting its unique combination of beauty, birds, wetlands, and water.
This projects adds to an existing network of 2,600 acres protected on the north shore through public lands and private conservation easements, including the Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area. Read more...
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Volunteers plant buffers along the Flathead River
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Over 30 volunteers planted more than 600 native trees along the Flathead River last April to expand vegetated riparian buffers. These riparian buffers provide habitat for fish and wildlife, help filter pollutants from runoff, reduce flooding, and stabilize banks.
MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Flathead Lakers, and the Flathead Conservation District, planted an additional 2,100 trees in two other locations along the river with the help of a Montana Conservation Corps crew.
Special thanks to MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks Restoration Ecologist Franz Ingelfinger, who lead these restoration efforts, and to our volunteers!
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Dr. Anita Ho, Associate Professor of Geology, and Wendy Jeschke, Student Engagement Coordinator at Fathead Valley Community College were presented the Flathead Lakers Volunteer Award at the Lakers annual meeting in July. The educators were honored for their support and dedication for riparian restoration and for encouraging FVCC students to volunteer along with them planting trees over the past five years.
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Flathead Lake Boat Tour celebrates north shore conservation
More than 120 friends of conservation joined the Flathead Land Trust and the Flathead Lakers to celebrate completion of the newly completed 45-acre conservation project on the North Shore on a FarWest boat tour. They got a glimpse of this expansive, undeveloped, and beautiful shoreline stretching from Somers to Bigfork and the project area just as the sun broke through light clouds to spotlight the north shore.
The tour helped raise over $7,700 to help conserve a 155-acre farm along the Flathead River just north of Flathead Lake, with valuable riparian wetland habitat vital for birds, fish and wildlife, and water quality.
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If you missed the tour, you still have an opportunity to give to this exceptional project by making a donation to the R2L - North Shore Conservation Fund dedicated to supporting collaborative River to Lake Initiative conservation projects. Or, contact Paul at 752-8293 or Constanza at 883-1341 for more information.
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Succession Planning Workshop a success
Eighteen people participated in a workshop for landowners on ways to involve family members in succession planning to preserve their lands last April.
The workshop, "Ties to the Land: Succession Planning for an Orderly Transition,” addressed challenges landowners face when planning for the future of their property and ways they can involve family members to discuss their wishes and plans for the land.
We thank workshop creators and facilitators Madeline and Kirk for generously donating their time to bring the workshop to Kalispell.
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The workshop was sponsored by Flathead Lakers, Flathead Land Trust, Montana Land Reliance, and MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, in partnership with Forest Stewardship Foundation and Montana Association of Land Trusts.
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Bird tours showcase protected and restored critical lands
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There is no shortage of appreciation for birds in the Flathead. Five bird tours offered last spring quickly filled up. Tours led by the Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Audubon, and other R2L partners, showcased R2L conservation and restoration projects that protect important bird habitat for migratory and resident birds. Learn more about the Flathead Valley's birds at Birding Guide to Flathead Valley and Important Bird Areas.
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August 10, 8:30 - 11:00 pm
Going Batty
Flathead Audubon and MT Fish Wildlife and Parks are offering a bat field trip on Friday, August 10 at 8:30 pm to learn about the amazing adaptations bats have for navigating, catching food, and hibernating. Here in the Flathead, bats depend on cottonwoods for roosting and rearing young and on rivers, ponds, and lakes for foraging. To sign up or for more information contact Kathy Ross at 406 837-3837 or mtkat67@gmail.com.
August 11, 9:00 am - noon
Explore Owen Sowerwine with Jeannette Oliver
Join retired Biology Professor Jeanette Oliver on Saturday, August 11 for a walk along the Stillwater River at the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area's Big Island to learn about native vegetation and birds. For more information and to sign up contact Jeanette at jopjoliver74@gmail.com or 755-8622. The field trip is cosponsored by Flathead Audubon Society and Montana Audubon.
August 12, 12:00 pm
Paddle for Clean Water
Join the Flathead Lakers and the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, August 12 in Bigfork for an afternoon of fun on Flathead Lake paddling for a good cause, music, silent auction, and prizes. The event benefits the Flathead Lakers’ education programs and community work to prevent the spread of invasive mussels, promote clean water practices and the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce’s promotion of business and tourism. For more information and to register go to Flathead Lakers.
August 15, 1:00 pm
Wetland Training Webinar: Wetlands in a Watershed at the Landscape Scale
This is the second webinar in a nine-part training series on wetlands developed jointly by the Association of State Wetland Managers and Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information and to register go to ASWM Webinars.
August 16, 5:30 pm
The Land Affair
Join the Flathead Land Trust on Thursday, August 16 at the Cypress Yard in Whitefish for their annual fundraising event to help protect and celebrate open spaces in northwest Montana. The event will include live music, food, a silent auction and a live drive. Proceeds will help protect bird and wildlife habitat, clean water, working family farms, and beautiful open spaces. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at www.flatheadlandtrust.org or by contacting Paul Travis at 406-752-8293 or ptravis@flatheadlandtrust.org.
September 12, 9:00 am - noon
Flathead River to Lake Initiative meeting
Mark your calendars for the next R2L Initiative quarterly meeting on September 12 at the MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks office in Kalispell. For more information, contact Constanza at 883-1341 or criticallands@flatheadlakers.org.
October 6, 5:00 pm
Grand Opening West Valley Bird Viewing Area
Join the Flathead Land Trust and partners to celebrate the conservation of the West Valley Wetlands, the grand opening of the bird viewing area, and see sandhill cranes during the fall migration. For more information contact the Laura Katzman at 406-752-8293 or lkatzman@flatheadlandtrust.org.
October 10-12
2018 Watershed Symposium
The Montana Watershed Coordination Council is holding the 2018 Watershed Symposium, Advancing Conservation through Effective Communication, on October 10-12 at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, in Whitefish. MWCC is currently accepting applications for abstracts to present at the Symposium. Early registration with a discount is by September 1st. For more information click here: 2018 Watershed Symposium. Check the National Geographic Pre-Conference workshop on October 9 showcasing the Platte Basin Timelapse project and showcasing the use of multiple media techniques to amplify storytelling.
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