Smith Lake WPA Additions
Over the course of a decade, Flathead Land Trust implemented five conservation projects to help protect the Smith Valley wetland complex
The Smith Valley wetland complex is located west of Kalispell with Smith Lake in its center and Ashley Creek flowing through it. Due to its excellent habitat, it is a vital area to conserve. Each spring, the Smith Valley floor fills with water and provides an important refueling stop for tens of thousands of migratory waterfowl and other birds during their epic migrations.
Today, the block of conserved lands safeguarding the large wetland complex in the Smith Valley totals almost 3,000 acres in size. Flathead Land Trust (FLT) has helped conserve 732 acres of this block. In total, FLT has facilitated the addition of 588 acres to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2,000-acre Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) surrounding Smith Lake. Private landowners also conserved an additional 147 acres of land adjacent to the WPA with conservation easements through Flathead Land Trust in 2011 and 2012.
Over the course of a decade, Flathead Land Trust implemented five conservation projects to help protect the Smith Valley wetland complex near Kila, one of the largest and most productive wetland complexes in the Flathead. The most recent addition to the WPA was purchased from Larry and Maureen Baer, private landowners who wanted to sell their land. In 2019, Flathead Land Trust facilitated the addition of this 257-acre parcel, primarily of wetlands, to the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area. Prior to this, in 2016, Flathead Land Trust facilitated the benevolent donation of 142 acres of private land to add to the WPA. In 2013, Flathead Land Trust purchased a 189-acre property to add to the WPA. This unusual project utilized a grant from the National Wetland Conservation Act to purchase the land from a local bank who owned the property after it had gone into foreclosure.
Other conserved lands safeguarding the wetland complex include almost 300 acres of private lands with conservation easements held by Montana Land Reliance and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
