Flathead Land Trust is dedicated to protecting northwest Montana’s spectacular land and water legacy through community-based conservation.
We are a local land trust founded in 1985 by a group of forward-thinking community members interested in maintaining the Flathead Valley’s natural beauty, clean water, and special places that sustain our high quality of life. Like other community members, our founders welcomed the growth contributing to the community’s prosperity and economic vitality, but wanted to establish an organization that, amidst the growth, was dedicated to maintaining the qualities that make the Flathead such a special place to live, raise a family, and enjoy the good things that life here can provide.
We are fortunate to live in one of the most spectacular places in Montana and the world. We enjoy Glacier National Park, millions of acres of public lands on our national forests and state lands, excellent water quality, abundant fish and wildlife, and unsurpassed recreational opportunities. Our watershed is at the head of the great Columbia River system and contains the largest, natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi – Flathead Lake. Our valley also contains some of the richest farmland and soils in the country.
Flathead Land Trust plays a key role in conserving this incredible natural heritage.
Land Protection Snapshot
Conservation easements held: 77 Easement acres protected: 15,047
Acres protected with partnerships: 4,440 Total acres protected: 19,487 (view map)
How we do it
We partner with private landowners who want to continue to own and manage their properties with the assurance that the open space, fish and wildlife habitat, and other important conservation values will be maintained forever.
By partnering with landowners, agencies and the community, we are able to implement effective land conservation strategies in the Flathead Valley and across northwest Montana. We work hard to maintain the qualities that make the Flathead special and a continued treasure for future generations by providing a balance between the exponential growth in our rural countryside and protecting the values we cherish.
Flathead Land Trust is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) nationally accredited land conservation organization. We primarily serve the Flathead Valley in Flathead County, however, we also work throughout northwest Montana and hold conservation easements in Lake, Sanders, and Missoula counties.
We hope you’ll join us in our efforts in protecting our special places in the Flathead forever.
Click here to find out how you can help ⇒
