News

Significant Farm and Wildlife Conservation Easement Completed Along Stillwater River

by jen

Flathead Land Trust is excited to announce that in December 2022, the Kohrs family placed 655 acres of rich farmland and wildlife habitat under conservation easement with Flathead Land Trust.

While land has been rapidly subdivided in the Flathead Valley, Doug and Carolyn Kohrs have been buying parcels of land to reassemble a large tract of farmland with key wildlife habitat along the Stillwater River southwest of Whitefish. From a 20-acre parcel purchased in 2005, Doug and Carolyn Kohrs have pieced together 655 acres of rich farmland and own it in partnership with their children, Ross, Hannah and Clara. On Dec. 30, 2022, the Kohrs family took another step in keeping this large farm and valuable wildlife habitat intact by placing a conservation easement on their 655 acres.

Three generations of the Kohrs family on their conserved property along the Stillwater River west of Whitefish

The purchased conservation easement will permanently protect the Kohrs investment in farming and wildlife. It will keep over 500 acres of rich farmland in agriculture – some of the best soils in Montana and the nation. The conservation easement will also protect the ecological integrity, healthy river function, and water quality of the Stillwater River as the Kohrs property contains riparian forest and wetlands along 1.7 miles of the river.

The riparian forest and wetlands also provide key wildlife habitat, used by federally listed grizzly bears and a plethora of other wildlife such as black bears, wolves, bobcat, coyote, fox, mountain lion, elk, and deer – all documented with a wildlife camera on the property. Elk calve and whitetail deer winter on the property, and over 100 species of birds also use this area that is now protected under conservation easement. The habitat provided by the Kohrs property enhances winter range and wildlife habitat provided by the adjacent 1,557-acre Kuhns Wildlife Management Area and an additional 1,800 acres of contiguous public land.

Doug and Carolyn Kohrs are thrilled to be able to place this special area under conservation easement. “Our family is excited to preserve this special property that serves as a wildlife corridor along the Stillwater River. Whitefish and Kalispell have seen many changes and much development in the last several years and our family wants to provide the space for both farming and wildlife to continue to thrive in the Flathead”.

Doug and Carolyn Kohrs on their conserved property, photo courtesy of KPAX

We are grateful for the many sources of funding that made this important conservation project possible: the Natural Resource Conservation Service Agricultural Land Easement Program, Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation through the Heart of the Rockies “Keep it Connected” Program, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Mitigation Program.

News

Conserving Family Farmland in the Mission Valley

by jen

On December 27, 2022, an agricultural gem in the Mission Valley was protected in perpetuity under a conservation easement held by Flathead Land Trust. For over 50 years, a Mission Valley family has been farming this area south of Polson. Their 315-acre family farm contains rich lakebed sediments at the base of the Valley View Hills with a backdrop of the rugged Mission Mountains.

It is just south of Pablo Reservoir which provides water for irrigation that is critical for agriculture on the property. The entire farm incorporates rich soils that have been designated as prime farmland and farmland of local importance by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). For two generations the family has been farming the productive land – first raising cattle and now growing wheat and hay.

Even though the third generation has decided not to take over the family farm and instead elected to go into non-agriculture related careers, the family wanted to see their productive land stay in agriculture. They decided the best way to do this was with a purchased conservation easement through the NRCS Agricultural Land Easement program. Not only will the conservation easement ensure that their rich soils can stay in farming in perpetuity, but the family also receives cash they can use for retirement or their farming operation without having to sell any of their land.

The conservation easement on the family farm will not only keep rich farmland available for agriculture, but it will also benefit birds and wildlife. Cultivated fields and wet areas associated with the irrigation system and ephemeral waterways on the property provide good bird habitat. The family regularly observes trumpeter swan, Canada geese, great blue heron, a variety of ducks, as well as birds of prey, including bald eagle, prairie falcon, hawks, barred owl, and short-eared owl.

While many of these species use the nearby Pablo Reservoir for feeding and nesting, the waterways, wet areas and cultivated fields on the property provide habitat for a diverse array of birds. In fact, over one hundred bird species have been observed in the vicinity of the property. A group of 50 to 75 sandhill cranes regularly use the property as well as species of concern such as bobolink. The property is also adjacent to a 1,849-acre ranch protected with a conservation easement held by Montana Land Reliance that contains some of the grass-covered Valley View Hills. The grassy uplands on this neighboring conservation easement, combined with the moist lowlands of the family farm, provide nesting and feeding habitat for another species of concern, the long-billed curlew, which are also often seen on the property.

News

2022 Conservation Leadership Award – Liz and Rusby Seabaugh

by jen
Liz Seabaugh accepts the 2022 Conservation Leadership Award presented by Executive Director Paul Travis and Board President Bill Corwin.

We are thrilled to announce that the Flathead Land Trust Conservation Leadership Award has been awarded to Liz Seabaugh and her late husband, Rusby (who passed away earlier in 2022). The award was presented at the Flathead Land Trust holiday and member appreciation party on December 13th.

Landowners are the heart and soul of our work. They are the integral piece that makes private-land conservation possible. Any landowner that chooses to conserve their land through a conservation easement is taking a bold step and is a hero in our book, but some landowners go above and beyond in their commitment to conservation.

Liz and Rusby Seabaugh are exemplary partner landowners who not only conserved their farmland in the lower valley in 2004, but also served as advocates for other landowners to do the same and pioneered efforts to restore riparian vegetation along the Flathead River.

The Seabaughs first moved to the Flathead Valley in 1970 where Rusby started a urology practice. In 1973, they moved to their home on lower valley to farm and ranch.

About twenty years ago, Flathead Land Trust and our Flathead River to Lake Initiative partners were putting to use new funding sources from the Bonneville Power Administration and the Natural Resources and Conservation Service to conserve private land in the Flathead. It took a leap of faith for landowners to work with us in implementing these complicated and time-consuming funding programs. Liz and Rusby stepped forward to be among the first landowners in the lower valley to conserve their land using these programs. In fact, the Seabaughs delayed the closing for the conservation easements on their properties to ensure that available funding went first to some of their neighbors also conserving their land with this funding.

In the years that followed, Rusby and Liz publicly advocated for the need to conserve the farmland in the valley and steered their friends and acquaintances to Flathead Land Trust’s door. They also contributed greatly to our community through other organizations over many years including Rusby’s service on the Flathead River Commission and Liz’s service on Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, among others.

Many farms along the Flathead River have historically cleared vegetation all the way to the river bank. This has reduced available habitat, negatively impacted water quality and caused bank instability. The Seabaugh farm suffered from this historical clearing as well and Rusby took it upon himself to do something about it. He spent a lot of time and money planting new native vegetation along a third of a mile of their farm’s river bank to address these impacts. Now you might think this involves just planting some vegetation and walking away, but of course, it is not so simple. You have to protect the vegetation from browsing deer and beaver, from the gnawing teeth of voles and from the smothering competition of noxious weeds. When the vegetation is young, you have to water them regularly during the summer heat and you have to accept and replace a great deal of vegetation loss not only from all of the above, but also from the eroding river bank caused by fluctuations in lake levels from Kerr dam and from boat wakes on the lower river. It is not an easy endeavor and by being among the first to do it in the valley, the Seabaughs provided us with many lessons learned through trial and error that allowed our partners to do it right the first time on other farms along the river.

Since 2014, this annual award has recognized individuals that have gone beyond the call of duty for the benefit of Flathead Land Trust’s conservation efforts. Whose leadership, vision, support, volunteer service and stewardship of our incredible land and water resources has furthered meaningful conservation throughout the Flathead Valley and across NW Montana. Liz and Rusby are true conservation champions and we are proud to honor them with this year’s award.

News

Somers Beach State Park Ribbon Cutting

by jen

On May 12th, we were fortunate to have a beautiful sunny day to celebrate the transfer of the new Somers Beach State Park property from the Sliter family to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). The ribbon cutting and dedication were attended by FWP Region 1 and Helena staff, Montana State Parks and Recreation Board members, Governor Gianforte, the Sliter family, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal members, Montana State Parks Foundation, Flathead Lakers, Flathead County and State elected officials, and many community supporters.

Flathead Land Trust started working with the Sliter family over a decade ago in order to find a public access and conservation solution for their beautiful property along the north shore of Flathead Lake. The north shore is a special place and to have this property now protected with secured public access to Flathead Lake as Montana’s newest State Park is beyond exciting.

So many partners and people helped along the way, too many to mention here. But, we want to acknowledge and thank several key players including the entire Sliter family, the leadership and staff of FWP, Angie Grove and Coby Gierke of MT State Parks Foundation, Dr. Mark Lorang, Senator Mark Blasdel, Flathead Lakers and Taylor Luther Group.

And finally, thank you to the people of the Flathead Valley and Montana. In spring of 2020, we received over 250 letters showing overwhelming public support for Somers Beach to become a state park. This preliminary support is what provided the momentum needed to get approval of the proposal by the State Park and Recreation Board. In addition, we received 73 donations totaling $30,300 in response to a generous $25,000 matching challenge by the Sliter family. The resulting $55,300 combined with over $125,000 raised by the MT State Parks Foundation will help steward the new state park for many years to come.

Thank you to all who played a part and to the passion, leadership, generosity and persistence that brought Somers Beach State Park to fruition.

Click HERE for more info about Somers Beach State Park.

News

Farmland and Habitat Conserved Near Flathead River

by jen

December 29, 2021 – Flathead Land Trust just completed a conservation easement that protects 38.9 acres of land owned by siblings, Charles and Diane Taylor, located south of Columbia Falls. This scenic property is less than a half mile from the Flathead River and three miles from the Swan Mountains. The farmstead on the west side of the property looks out over a hayfield nestled in the valley to forested slopes on the eastern side of the property with the Swan Mountains in the distance. The hayfield is underlain by rich agricultural soils including “prime farmland” and “soils of statewide importance” as determined by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The forested slopes of the hill to the east are regularly used by elk, white-tailed deer, and many birds including great-horned owl, wild turkey, and ring-necked pheasant; an occasional black bear, mountain lion, coyote, or fox also use the property.

The property has been in the family since 1965 and Charles and Diane wanted it to remain a farm with bird and wildlife habitat in perpetuity.

“My sister and I were thankful to be able to work with Flathead Land Trust in order to place a conservation easement on our land to assure the property will remain agricultural and that the flora and fauna will remain relatively undisturbed into the future.” Charles Taylor

News

It’s official! Purchase of the Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area complete!

by jen

From FLT and FWP joint press release.

On December 21, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) finalized the purchase of 772 acres of intact forestland along the Flathead River near Columbia Falls from former landowner Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC), a subsidiary of Glencore, Inc. FWP will now manage the property as the Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area and safeguard critical wildlife habitat while allowing public access.

“CFAC is extremely pleased to see the unanimous support for this project and we are pleased to be a partner in the project,” said Cheryl Driscoll, Head of US Corporate Affairs for Glencore, Inc. “The Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area will preserve a section of Montana that residents, visitors and future generations can enjoy. I congratulate everyone who worked so diligently to make this a reality. The Flathead Land Trust and FWP are to be commended for leading this collaborative effort.”
“The City of Columbia Falls is thrilled to have the Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area purchase finalized. This area greatly enhances and gives the citizens of Columbia Falls and the surrounding area a wonderful opportunity to recreate and enjoy the pristine nature of this land and access to the beautiful Flathead River, right next door to our community,” said Don Barnhart, Mayor of Columbia Falls and members of the Columbia Falls City Council. “The City of Columbia Falls would like to give a hearty thanks to all who made this project possible.”
“Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is grateful for the outpouring of community support and hard work by our partners to achieve this exciting project,” said Jim Williams, regional supervisor for FWP. “Collaboration is the key to successful conservation. This new protected forestland will benefit the entire watershed, wildlife and the public for generations to come.”
The property is located just east of Columbia Falls and south of the Flathead River and is one of the Flathead Valley’s largest remaining undeveloped riverfront properties. This property serves as critical winter range for elk, moose and white-tailed deer, and provides important habitat connectivity for grizzly bears, bull trout and 43 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. In addition, the wetlands and quality riparian habitat on the property help safeguard the healthy function and excellent water quality of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake. The protected property will add to a 12,000-acre network of conserved land along 50 miles of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake downstream of Columbia Falls.

The acquisition also secures permanent public access to the property, which will include a limited opportunity for hunting and a 3-mile community trail constructed by Gateway to Glacier Trail, Inc. for use by hikers, bikers, birdwatchers and others.

FWP’s Wildlife Management Areas are managed with wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation as the priority. The property will be closed to the public Dec. 2 through noon on May 15 each year to protect big game winter range.

FWP partnered with the Flathead Land Trust to purchase and conserve the outstanding habitat and natural values of the property. Two years ago, CFAC entered into an option agreement with the partners allowing until the end of 2021 to raise the necessary funds and complete the purchase.

The appraised value of the acquisition was $7.26 million. Funding for the purchase includes $4 million from the US Forest Service Forest Legacy Program which is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and $2.5 million from Habitat Montana, which uses big game license fees for habitat conservation. Flathead Land Trust was tasked with raising the remaining $590,000 with help from funding partners, the Flathead Lakers. The majority of the donations were from local individuals and organizations as well as large grants from Heart of the Rockies Initiative, The Kendeda Fund, Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, AGL Foundation, Cinnabar Foundation, Cross Charitable Foundation, Whitefish Community Foundation, Headwaters Montana, Montana Trout Unlimited, Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited, Flathead Wildlife, Flathead Audubon, and Vital Ground Foundation. Large donations from individuals were also received from Dean Marsh, David and Chet Barclay, Bob and Betty Moore, Molly Miller and Mark Jungerman, Walter Rowntree and Laura Reynolds, George and Kimberly Ruhana, and an anonymous donor. Over 250 individuals stepped up to financially contribute to the project.

“We have finally reached the finish line of what was only a dream two years ago”, said Paul Travis, Flathead Land Trust Executive Director. “The extraordinary level of local support is truly why this critical block of land is now conserved and in public hands. Thank you to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, CFAC, and our many other partners and donors for ensuring this wild place would be protected for this and future generations to enjoy.”

News

2021 Conservation Leadership Award – MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Jeff Jones

by jen

We are excited to announce that the Flathead Land Trust 2021 Conservation Leadership Award has been given to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Region 1 with special recognition of Kris Tempel and Alan Wood, as well as to long-time FLT Board Member and Treasurer Jeff Jones.

The two awards were presented at Lone Pine State Park on November 29th to recognize the recipients for going beyond the call of duty for the benefit of Flathead Land Trust’s conservation efforts. Whose leadership, vision, collaboration, and ability to get things accomplished have furthered conservation efforts in the Flathead Valley and across NW Montana in a significant way.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Region 1 with special recognition of Kris Tempel and Alan Wood.

As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little. Together, we can do so much”. FWP’s collaboration with our organization over the past several decades epitomizes that statement. Our strong partnership together has produced a lot of good for both our organizations, our communities and most importantly for lasting conservation of important land and water here in NW Montana.

It’s hard to do justice in recognizing FWP for all that the agency has done (and continues to do). There’s just too many conservation success stories to share…so here are some of the high notes of our collaborative work together.

We partnered on more than 14 conservation projects using Bonneville Power Administration Mitigation Funding for a total of 2,900 acres of important farmland, habitat, and floodplain conserved along the main stem of the Flathead River through the River to Lake Initiative. We have also worked extensively with the agency to conserve important migratory bird habitat along the north shore of Flathead Lake, a result of which is FWP’s 426-acre North Shore Wildlife Management Area. The agency has had a hand in helping us complete just about all of our conservation easement projects through Wildlife Mitigation Funding which helps pay due diligence conservation easement project costs.

In 2018, we partnered on the 400-acre West Valley Wetlands conservation project where FWP stepped up to develop and now manages a bird viewing area for the public at one of the only staging areas for sandhill cranes in the Flathead. And of course, there’s Somers Beach which is Montana’s newest State Park thanks to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks….and the Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project, which when completed this month, will protect 772 acres of some of our finest wildlife habitat in the Flathead and secure public access as a new FWP Wildlife Management Area.

It should be noted that without FWP, Flathead Land Trust would never have had the capability of doing projects of this scale and complexity. But, by working together, we have been able to achieve so much more…and I think after Somers Beach and Bad Rock, the sky’s the limit!

Finally, we acknowledge that any partnership is only as good as the people you’re working with. We have many people in the agency to thank but I want to give special recognition to two folks who we have worked with the most – Kris Tempel and Alan Wood. Alan, as you may know, recently retired after a distinguished career at FWP where he helped to conserve hundreds of thousands of acres of critical habitat, forest and ag lands in NW Montana. Alan believed in the power of good partnerships and his collaborative spirit helped us to get some truly extraordinary conservation projects accomplished.

Kris is also a force for conservation. A gifted grant writer who always seems to pull a rabbit out of the hat with large federal funding proposals. Last year, Kris’s two funding proposals from the USFS Forest Legacy Program were ranked in the top 5 – in the nation! This includes a $4 Million grant we received for Bad Rock. Kris’s skills and talent are critical to the projects and our work together, especially as we navigate the many steps of complex public acquisitions. We can’t thank her enough for all that she does to ensure success and get important conservation projects like Bad Rock across the finish line.

Jeff Jones, long-time FLT Board Treasurer

Jeff joined the Flathead Land Trust board in May 2013. He then became board Treasurer in 2014 and has held the position ever since. Jeff has a Master’s degree in Wildlife Resources from University of Idaho and worked as an ecologist and wildlife biologist for the US Forest Service, working for the Flathead National Forest from 1998 until his retirement.

When Jeff joined the board and then agreed to become the Treasurer, the organization was financially in rough shape. Through Jeff’s keen eye for finances as Treasurer and his strong leadership as a committed board member, we are now more financially strong than ever. He is also one of a handful of past board members who have served for a full 9 years and has had to step off due to term limits which shows his commitment for this organization and the conservation work we do.

Jeff many times would bring a differing perspective to board discussions and financial issues which ultimately lead to better decisions being made for the organization. He spent countless hours analyzing, raising questions about and troubleshooting financial reports as board treasurer. He was always fully prepared and engaged leading productive finance committee meetings each month, and put in countless hours of time with the executive director working on annual budgets and day to day financial policy and procedures. His attention to detail, oversight and ability to raise tough questions are what have made us a more capable, more professional organization these past 9 years. An organization that would not have even contemplated doing big community conservation projects like Somers Beach and Bad Rock Canyon even 5 years ago.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the FLT Conservation Leadership Award – Montana FWP, Region 1 and Jeff Jones! Thank you for your exceptional partnership and commitment to conservation of our most cherished open spaces and wild places in northwest Montana.

News

Big News! FWP Acquires Somers Beach for Future State Park

by jen

Interim amenities are also proposed for public safety, sanitation, and parking needs. 

 The following is an October 7 Press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks acquired the 106-acre Somers Beach property on the northwest shore of Flathead Lake with plans to add it to Montana’s state park system. The previous owners, the Sliter family, permitted public access to the property for many years, and its designation as a state park will perpetuate public enjoyment and access into the future.

Since the site is suitable for a variety of recreational offerings and amenities, such as trails, hand-launch boat access, picnic tables, and more, FWP is working on a long-term vision and development plan for the park that will include extensive public involvement.

While that comprehensive process is expected to take several months, FWP is starting with an interim plan to address immediate needs for public safety, sanitation, and parking. The proposed amenities are outlined in a draft environmental assessment that is available online at https://fwp.mt.gov/news/public-notices and open to public input through Nov. 6. A public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. through Zoom. The meeting information will be posted online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/regions/region1.

Written comments can be mailed to: Somers Beach Acquisition EA; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; 490 N. Meridian Road; Kalispell, MT 59901 or sent by e-mail to: Stevie Burton at [email protected].

FWP asks the public to recreate responsibly at the property and follow all day-use rules – No camping or campfires; Leave No Trace; and Pack It In, Pack it Out etiquette – while also respecting neighboring private property.

The acquisition of the Somers Beach property marks an achievement many years in the making thanks to community collaboration and support. The property represents a significant undeveloped portion of the north shore of Flathead Lake and will complement habitat protections already in place along the lakeshore. Once it becomes a state park, it will provide more public access to Flathead Lake, which currently has less than 20 public access points along its 185 miles of shoreline, all of which are heavily used by residents and tourists alike.

Throughout the year, there is enormous demand for opportunities to recreate on or near the lake; and state, city, and county parks and Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are at or above capacity throughout much of the year. Seeing this need for more recreational access, multiple entities have been working together to add the proposed Somers Beach property to the Montana State Park System and ensure future public access.

FWP worked with the Sliter family and Flathead Land Trust to consider the project. The Flathead Land Trust previously solicited public input on the initial acquisition, and several hundred people provided comment. Funding for the acquisition was provided by the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and required matches from Parks Earned Revenue funds.

Through an extensive public process and private fundraising, support flourished for the park.

“For more than a decade, we have worked with the Sliter family with a shared goal to find a conservation outcome for this special property and expand much needed outdoor recreation opportunities along the north shore of Flathead Lake,” said Paul Travis of Flathead Land Trust. “We are beyond excited that it is now a new Montana State Park and give a big thank you to the Sliter family, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and all donors and partners who helped make it happen.”

Coby Gierke, Executive Director of the Montana State Parks Foundation, added, “After a couple years, a lot of hard work, and after building some amazing partnerships, we’re finally here, opening an amazing new park on the north shore of the lake. We definitely wouldn’t be here today without all the great support we’ve received for this project from donors and organizations in the Flathead area and beyond.”

“Over the last five years, we’ve seen how much Montanans love their state parks, especially the sites on Flathead Lake. Adding another park on the lake is an amazing opportunity and we’re very glad our partners at FWP didn’t let it pass them by.”

News

Lex Blood and Mike Conner receive the 2015 Flathead Land Trust Leadership Award

by jen

December 14, 2015 – The conservation achievements and leadership of Dr. Lex Blood and Mike Conner were recognized at the FLT holiday party and membership meeting on Thursday, December 3rd with the Flathead Land Trust Leadership Award. This is the second year the award has been given to recognize the conservation achievements, leadership, and incredible volunteer service individuals have given to the community through their work with Flathead Land Trust.

“It’s only appropriate as we celebrate our 30th year as the Flathead’s local, community-based land trust that we recognize both Lex and Mike, who were instrumental in the beginnings of this organization, as well as with its success over the years” said Paul Travis, Flathead Land Trust executive director.  “This well-deserved award acknowledges their leadership, vision and ability to get things done which has made this organization what it is today and has created a land and water legacy for the benefit of all of us in the Flathead.”

Mike Conner led a distinguished career with the Forest Service over many years.  While at the Flathead National Forest in the early 1980’s, he was approached to help develop a conservation easement donation program and to partner with a private nonprofit organization to help implement this relatively new concept.   Because of Mike’s efforts and the momentum that he helped to create, the idea of a local land trust caught on the Flathead which resulted in the formation of the Flathead Land Trust in April, 1985.

Mike has played just about every role in the organization, from advisor and member of the advisory board for many years, to even time as an executive director.  We are very fortunate that he continues to lend his knowledge and leadership to the organization and our conservation efforts which he was instrumental in getting started.

Dr. Lex Blood is a trained geologist, long-time Flathead educator, and a leader and invigorator of conservation efforts across the Flathead for many years. Lex retired from a distinguished teaching career as a Geology/ Geography/Earth Science instructor at Flathead valley Community College, and an adjunct professor of Natural Resources at the University of Montana. He was co-founder, president emeritus, executive director, and instructor for the Glacier Institute and is the founder of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem Education Consortium (COCEEC). He also began the Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership and is the managing director for The Sustainability Fund which offers grant funding to sustain nonprofit and conservation efforts throughout northwest Montana.

Lex continues to be very active in conservation and educational efforts in the Flathead, giving his knowledge and leadership experience to numerous organizations, consortiums, and institutes.  He also continues his work as a geologic consultant with Flathead Land Trust.  His leadership, involvement, generous financial support through the Sustainability Fund, and desire to see this local land trust achieve its mission and goals are big reasons why we can celebrate much of the conservation work that has been accomplished over the years throughout northwest Montana.