Flathead Audubon Society and Montana Audubon Honored with 2024 Conservation Leadership Awards

Breaking with tradition, Flathead Land Trust presented Conservation Leadership Awards on July 10, 2024, at the Owen Sowerwine Celebration. Usually given at our winter party, we simply could not miss this opportunity to honor two of the organizations that have worked tirelessly for decades to find a conservation solution for the Owen Sowerwine property. Both Flathead Audubon Society and Montana Audubon have been instrumental in our ability to place a conservation easement on the 405-acre parcel just east of Kalispell.

The story of each organization’s involvement in the Owen Sowerwine project is intertwined, echoing the theme of collaboration in reaching permanent protection of this ecological oasis. It began during a time of budget shortfalls in Flathead County, when Flathead Audubon helped the Flathead County Parks Board pay the lease while determining a more permanent fix. In 1996, Flathead Audubon stepped forward to assume the lease and manage the area as a natural area. Facing a potential significant surge in lease costs due to a new assessment in 1999, Montana Audubon teamed up with Flathead Audubon to negotiate a long-term license for Owen Sowerwine at a more affordable rate. A series of subsequent licenses and permits held by both organizations allowed Flathead Audubon to continue managing Owen Sowerwine’s natural habitat for many years, but this distinctive project presented a unique challenge: protecting the property while generating income for Montana’s schools, as mandated for State School Trust Land.

Also mandated by law, Montana State School Trust Lands had not previously allowed for conservation easements on any of their properties. Enter Janet Ellis of Montana Audubon, current Montana State Senator, who lobbied for Montana Audubon for almost three decades. Janet was instrumental in changing legislation nearly twenty-five years ago, helping to enact a statute allowing a conservation easement to be placed on this specific parcel of land by a nonprofit.

Flathead Audubon Society and Montana Audubon have both recognized the significance of this incredible piece of property just outside the city limits of Kalispell from the beginning. Members of Flathead Audubon Society have worked tirelessly for decades to steward the land, from managing trails and invasive species to administering environmental education programs for school groups. Knowing that at least 168 bird species utilize the area, Montana Audubon designated the site as an Important Bird Area shortly after it was nominated by Flathead Audubon members in 2003. The Important Bird Area designation, one of only 42 IBA sites in the state, definitely helped to solidify support for the efforts of both Flathead Audubon and Montana Audubon to maintain the natural character of this valuable riparian area.

Pam Willison, Vice President of Flathead Audubon Society and Chair of the FAS Owen Sowerwine Committee, accepted the award on behalf of the local organization. As a retired teacher, Pam spoke eloquently on the significance of this milestone to the local chapter. Larry Berrin, Executive Director of Montana Audubon, travelled from Helena to speak at the program, and accepted on behalf of the statewide organization. Larry spoke earlier in the program, reiterating the significance of the site, both ecologically and as a community and educational resource, especially as a refuge for children, who “spend an average of an entire year in front of a screen by the age of seven”.

Since 2014, this annual award has been given in recognition of those whose leadership, vision, service and stewardship of incredible land and water resources has furthered meaningful conservation throughout the Flathead Valley and across northwest Montana. The dedication of Flathead Audubon and Montana Audubon has had a profound impact, and we are delighted to recognize their achievements!

Read more details about Flathead Audubon Society and Montana Audubon’s roles in securing Owen Sowerwine over the years <<HERE>>.