Stillwater Riverfront Property Near Whitefish Newly Protected With Conservation Easement

On November 22, Flathead Land Trust helped Sally Ericsson and Tom Garwin protect their stunning Stillwater riverfront property near Whitefish in perpetuity with a conservation easement.

Ericsson and Garwin dreamed of protecting their property along the Stillwater River even before they owned it. Over two decades ago, they initiated a collaboration with Flathead Land Trust to find a property to purchase and conserve. When they found and fell in love with their 36-acre parcel just west of Whitefish, it came with significant challenges, but Ericsson and Garwin rose to the occasion.

Many locals remember when Twin Bridges Road followed the Stillwater River through this parcel. In the mid-1990s, three major slumps along the riverbank damaged this road, and even temporarily blocked the river. The county eventually relocated the road, which now follows the southern boundary the Ericsson/Garwin property. Local experts helped restore slumped areas on the property, replanting native vegetation to stabilize the soil and revitalize the riparian ecosystem, which is now thriving habitat for wildlife.

Encompassing diverse forests, wetlands, and seasonally wet areas, the easement protects vital wildlife habitat and winter range for grizzly bear, elk, deer, birds, and other wildlife that regularly utilize the property. Intact riparian forest along a quarter mile of the Stillwater River within the property offers a critical travel corridor for wildlife, connecting to 255 acres of State land and eventually linking to thousands of acres of public land. The easement also protects exceptional agricultural land, currently in hay production. Over 80% of the property contains soils classified as “prime farmland” by the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Conservation and sustainability were at the forefront when Ericsson and Garwin designed their home on the property. Completed in 2015, the residence blends into the landscape and overlooks the stunning Stillwater River. The modern “green” house, designed by Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects and built by Denman Construction, is energy efficient, uses geothermal heat, passive solar design and has beetle kill lumber siding.  The residence subsequently won the award for Craftsmanship in the American Institute of Architecture Seattle 2020 Design Awards competition.

Upon completion of the conservation easement, Ericsson and Garwin reflected on the milestone. “When we purchased our land in 2013, we knew we were buying riparian habitat corridor and we now really understand its importance to the wildlife in the Valley, to the water quality in the Stillwater River and to preserve farmland. We are delighted to permanently conserve our property in partnership with the amazing Flathead Land Trust.”

Working with and enhancing the landscape, Ericsson and Garwin have now completed their dream of owning and protecting an ecologically significant parcel in the Flathead Valley. The Montana way of life, wildlife and water quality are all safeguarded in perpetuity under their conservation easement.