Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area gains bird habitat

This September, the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) along Ashley Creek, west of Kalispell, grew by 257 acres of mostly wetlands and important bird habitat thanks to a partnership between landowners Larry and Maureen Baer, Flathead Land Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Conservation Fund.

The Smith Lake WPA wetland complex provides a critical refueling stop for thousands of birds each year during their epic migrations. It is also a popular fishing and bird watching area, and provides incredible views to people using the Rails to Trails bike path or traveling on Highway 2.

The protection of this land was made possible by funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. The fund helps protect migratory bird habitat throughout the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Conservation Fund was a critical partner on the project by purchasing the property from the landowners in July, in order to hold it until the US Fish and Wildlife Service could obtain the funds to add these lands to the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area in September. Read more…

Take a virtual tour of this place and listen to some of the birds that visit this place with a short Video!