Mission: Flathead land trust is dedicated to the conservation of northwest montana's land and water legacy through voluntary agreements with private land owners. Flt's primary program service is private land conservation through voluntary agreements with landowners (conservation easements); within that program service flt develops, negotiates, and accepts donated conservation easements. In addition with both private and federal funds, flt purchases conservation easements.
Programs: Conservation:1. Completed the 28-acre grosswiler dairy and 40-acre marvin conservation easements in october as part of the overall west valley wetlands project. These projects protect 37. 5 acres of an exceptional pothole wetland that is critical for tens of thousands of migratory waterfowl, over 20 species of shorebirds, and hundreds of migrating sandhill cranes each year. This property along with the adjacent wetlands and farmland are the only known staging area for sandhill cranes in the flathead valley and allow these birds to rest and refuel during their long journeys. 2. Staff advanced the 328-acre grosswiler dairy ale purchased conservation easement closed in late april 2018. This is the third and final easement that protects almost 400 acres of the west valley wetlands. The project also will establish a acre bird viewing area for the public overlooking the pothole wetland on the property. We successfully raised the remainder of the funding needed for the required non-federal match of the ale grant. We are also working with mt fwp on improvements needed for the bird viewing area which include an improved access road, bus pullout, parking area, fencing, and interpretive signage which we expect to be completed by early fall. 3. Staff advanced the 44-acre kurfess purchased conservation easement project on the north shore of flathead lake which is closed in april 2018. The property includes rich migratory bird habitat with 11 acres of wetlands and is adjacent to the u. S. Fish and wildlife service flathead lake waterfowl production area. This wetland habitat along the north shore of flathead lake serves as critical feeding and resting stopovers for thousands of migratory birds each year. 4. Staff advanced the 80-acre byrd-rinck donated conservation easement project, located near west glacier. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 and could possibly include an additional conservation easement on the families 41-acre property near coram. The project will protect forested wildlife habitat including important travel corridors for grizzly bear and is surrounded on three sides by u. S. Forest service land. 5. Staff advanced the 30-acre coolidge donated conservation easement project, located near polebridge. The project will protect rich wildlife, grizzly bear and elk habitat in the north fork of the flathead. It will also protect the open space and scenic qualities around the community of polebridge and is adjacent to our frederick conservation easement and bordered by u. S. Forest service land. The project is expected to close by the end of 2018. 6. Staff advanced thecolumbia falls community conservation project which will make improvements to the 28-acre rivers edge city park including a family fishing pond and new trails. The project includes working with the city of columbia falls and other community members as well as local contractors to build the fishing pond in partnership with mt fish, wildlife and parks. The pond will include a trail along its perimeter, fishing piers, and interpretive signage. We are also are planning to build a trail that will connect downtown columbia falls with the park and new fishing pond. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2018.
education and outreach: we finalized our 5-year strategic plan and had a productive year in new outreach and fundraising with the great fish challenge, film screenings, and continued success of the barn bash annual fundraising event.
stewardship - monitored all 57 conservation easements and one restricted covenant.
Flathead Land Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Flathead Land Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Flathead Land Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
