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Land Trust Member Profile: Flathead Land Trust

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mission & key programs

What Flathead Land Trust does is summed up in our mission statement: Protecting northwest Montana’s spectacular land and water legacy through community-based conservation. 

We collaborate with landowners, agencies, and the community to craft effective land conservation strategies. Our focus areas encompass landscapes with high biological value and seriously threatened natural resources, including the Flathead River corridor from Columbia Falls up to and including the north shore of Flathead Lake. Priorities include: safeguarding critical fish and wildlife habitat and movement corridors, migratory bird habitat, working farms and ranches, and expanding recreational opportunities for the community.

service area

Flathead Land Trust serves northwest Montana, spanning Flathead, Lake, Sanders, and Lincoln Counties.

unique in the central rocky mountains

Northwest Montana is defined by the largest and one of the cleanest freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi, Flathead Lake, as well as the three pristine forks of the Flathead River. This watershed, along with our untrammeled mountains, rich valleys, forests and rich farmlands, supports a myriad of fish and wildlife and allows for their movement through a vast interconnected landscape. Enveloped within a 2,000 mile stretch of the Continental Divide Ecosystem from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the Yukon Territory, this area is part of one of the last large-scale, relatively intact, habitat continuums in North America, and still contains most of its native species.

"As proud owners of a very small part of The Last Great Place, we realize that we have a role to play in protecting the Montana we love. However, we know that we cannot do this alone. And so we turn to the Flathead Land Trust (FLT). Its dedication to its mission, determination to succeed and professionalism in its work give us comfort that the responsibility to preserve Montana’s precious land is in good hands. We also recognize that progress can best be achieved by an involved, enthusiastic membership. We are honored to be part of that membership and to be able to support FLT's activities. And what is the payback? Huge: the assurance that future generations will be able to enjoy the Montana we know today."
Alan and Sallie Gratch
Alan and Sallie GratchFlathead Land Trust conservation easement landowners and long-time organizational supporters

Project Highlight

For nearly five decades, innumerable individuals, nonprofits and agencies worked together with a common mission – safeguarding the 405-acre Owen Sowerwine property just east of Kalispell. This ecological oasis, containing several miles of braided riverfront of the Flathead and Stillwater Rivers, is designated as an Important Bird Area and serves as a critical wildlife corridor. In February of 2024, this collective dream came true as a conservation easement was placed on the property, held by Flathead Land Trust. This project depicted the ultimate in collaboration of and enlisting community and foundation support, protecting public access and wildlife habitat. Read more of the story here.

 

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