River Steward Program successes
Between 2006 and 2016, 11 landowners landowners along the Flathead River, nearby streams, and the North Shore of Flathead Lake worked with River to Lake partners to plant over 12,000 trees and shrubs to plant riparian forest buffers that help improve water quality and provide important fish and wildlife habitat.
Native plants along rivers, lakes and wetlands:
- slow down runoff, allowing water and nutrients to be taken up by plants;
- reduce flooding and mitigates its effects;
- provide shade and habitat for fish, including native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout; and
- provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Check out this short video featuring landowner Dick Siderius, who planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs on his property along Ashley Creek with help from River Steward Program partners.
Learn how landowners are making a difference and about the River Steward Program.
Helping people improve lands along rivers and streams.
The Flathead River Steward Program is a collaborative effort helping landowners enhance and restore riparian forests along our rivers to improve water quality, abundant fish and wildlife, productive farm soils, and recreational opportunities in the Flathead Watershed. This program is the riparian and wetlands restoration working group of the Flathead River to Lake Initiative. Meet a landowner and the partners working with landowners to improve stewardship of lands along our rivers! For more information about the Flathead River Steward Program contact:
Franz Ingelfinger, Restoration Ecologist, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Phone: (406) 751-4580
