About Flathead Land Trust

Flathead Land Trust is dedicated to protecting northwest Montana’s spectacular land and water legacy through community-based conservation.

Our Origin Story

Born from a desire to preserve the essence of the Flathead Valley for future generations, a local land trust was established in 1985 by a group of forward-thinking community members.

Our founders, embracing a thriving Flathead Valley, aimed to preserve its essence amidst growth. They envisioned an organization safeguarding those qualities that make this a remarkable place to live and raise families while continuing our Montana way of life.

A sense of Place

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, 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 for future generations.

How It Works

We partner with private landowners, agencies and the community to ensure that open space, fish and wildlife habitat, clean water and other important conservation values will be maintained forever. Through conservation easements and collaborative community conservation projects, we help to preserve the special places in northwest Montana.

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.

Passionately safeguarding northwest Montana’s legacy

Board of Directors

Margaret Notley

President

Jim Rafferty

Treasurer

Chris Albert

Secretary

Rick Mace

Board Member

Karl Rudbach

Board Member

Jennifer Rogge

Board Member

Rebecca Hughes

Board Member

Lisa Flowers

Board Member

Our Staff

Paul Travis

Executive Director

Ryan Hunter

Land Protection Specialist

Laura Katzman

Land Protection Specialist

Eryn O’Brien

Land Protection Specialist

Jennifer Guse

Communications, Outreach and Special Projects Coordinator

Community Advisors

Flathead Land Trust greatly appreciates the advice and assistance of our many Community Advisors and Volunteers — local residents who serve in a volunteer capacity on our committees, help us organize events or steward easement properties, or who we otherwise turn to for opinions and insights. Bringing diverse experience and perspectives to the table, these advisors are an integral part of the work of Flathead Land Trust.

If you are interested in serving on an FLT committee, please email us at [email protected].

Dr. Lex Blood
Bill Corwin
Greg Gunderson
Jeff Jones
Dave McNutt
Doug Mitchell
Harry Morgan
Don Murray
Lech Naumovich
Mark Schiltz
Dean Sirucek
Doc Smiley
Brian Sugden
Eddie Thomas
Byron & Dana Whitney

Our Partners

Whitefish Legacy Partners

Whitefish Legacy Partners

    Whitefish Legacy Partners is a non-profit organization whose community-minded vision ensures conservation, recreation and education on the lands around Whitefish for future generations.    
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

NRCS works with landowners through conservation planning and funding assistance to help benefit soils, water, air, plants and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems. They administer the ACEP-ALE (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program) to purchase conservation easements on productive agricultural lands.
Flathead Audobon Society

Flathead Audobon Society

Flathead Audubon is dedicated to conserving birds, wildlife habitat and ecosystem diversity; promote awareness and appreciation of the natural world through education and advocacy; work with diverse groups and agencies to achieve sound decisions on natural resource issues; provide community services such as school programs, work projects, and field trips.
Flathead Lakers

Flathead Lakers

The Flathead Lakers work for clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life in the Flathead Watershed.
Heart of the Rockies Initiative

Heart of the Rockies Initiative

The Heart of the Rockies Initiative is a collaboration of land trust and conservancy partners working together to weave the fabric of their individual projects into a tapestry of international, large-scale conservation success. The Heart of the Rockies partners work together to develop strategic direction and scientific vision at a grand landscape scale and build capacity and develop capital to achieve ambitious conservation goals.
Intermountain West Joint Venture

Intermountain West Joint Venture

The IWJV a diverse public-private partnership that works across eleven states to deliver strategic habitat conservation for migratory birds and other priority bird species.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, through its employees and citizen commission, provides for the stewardship of the fish, wildlife, parks and recreational resources of Montana, while contributing to the quality of life for present and future generations.
Montana Association of Land Trusts

Montana Association of Land Trusts

The Montana Association of Land Trusts’ mission is to promote and support excellence in private voluntary land conservation in Montana through leadership, collaboration, education and outreach.
The Land Trust Alliance

The Land Trust Alliance

The Land Trust Alliance is the convener, strategist and representative of land trusts across America.
Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land

The Trust for Public Land has a mission of creating parks and protecting land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.
River to Lake Initiative

River to Lake Initiative

The River to Lake Initiative brings together private landowners, land trusts, conservation organizations, counties, tribes and public agencies to conserve, enhance, and maintain our Flathead River and Lake natural heritage – excellent water quality, outstanding scenic and recreational values, and abundant fish and wildlife for people to enjoy and benefit from, today and tomorrow.
Monana Access Project

Monana Access Project

Montana Access Project works with community-based organizations, businesses and public agencies to create, protect and enhance frontcountry outdoor recreation opportunities at the heart of Montana’s way of life.
Foys to Blacktail Trails

Foys to Blacktail Trails

Foys to Blacktail Trails works to enhance and steward a multi-use, community-focused trail system and advocate for access and trail connectivity between Blacktail Mountain, Herron Park, and the greater Flathead Valley.
Gateway to Glacier Trails

Gateway to Glacier Trails

Gateway to Glacier Trails develops and maintains a network of local trails in order to foster stewardship and connect communities to our open spaces.
Flathead Trails Assoication

Flathead Trails Assoication

The Flathead Trails Association is a coordinated effort between local organizations. We work to preserve and advance trails and paths in the Flathead Valley.

Thank you to our Business Partners who have given $500 or more in donations or in-kind services