New Conservation Project Protects Critical North Shore Wetlands

A new conservation easement project this spring helped protect 45 wetland acres on the North Shore of Flathead Lake!

Linda and David Kurfess, in partnership with Flathead Land Trust, placed a conservation easement on 45-acres of 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 along the north shore.

Tundra Swans on the north shore of Flathead Lake by Jan Wassink

It is especially important for birds during their migration with its seasonal open shallow water habitat, including hundreds of northern pintail, mallards, American widgeon, northern shoveler, and Canada geese as well as dozens of tundra swans.

This project was completed with funding support from a North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWCA) grant Flathead River to Lake Initiative partners secured. This is the third NAWCA grant, all close to $1 million dollars, partners helped secure. Since 2003, R2L partners have secured over $15 million in grants –  a significant boost to our local economy.

The project helps protect a rare gem unmatched anywhere else in the western United States. The north shore includes seven miles of largely undeveloped shoreline on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River and one of the cleanest lakes in the world because it is fed by the Flathead River with headwaters in Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex.

River to Lake partners have now conserved 542 acres on the north shore, protecting unique combination of beauty, birds, wetlands, and water. This projects adds to an existing network of 2,000 acres protected on the north shore through public lands and private conservation easements, including the Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Flathead River to Lake Initiative partners have helped conserve over 5,700 acres on the north shore of Flathead Lake and along the Flathead River since 2003.

Learn more how You Can Help Conserve Special Places