Cody and Elizabeth Sherman are ensuring that their family’s farming legacy in the Mission Valley will endure. Today, with the help of Flathead Land Trust, they placed a conservation easement on their 387 acres of rich farmland west of Pablo, protecting their heritage of over a century. This important measure preserves fertile farmland as well as vital wildlife habitat west of Pablo.

Tristan, Elizabeth, Cody, Kiara, and Coleton Sherman (from left to right).

long-billed curlew

Cody Sherman on the family’s newly protected conservation easement

Elizabeth is secretary/treasurer for the Rural Fire Board of Ronan and the Mission Valley FFA Alumni. It is fitting that part of the Sherman family’s agricultural legacy in the Mission Valley will come from ensuring that their rich farmland remains available for farming in perpetuity. Agriculture can continue to thrive in a community in which their family has been deeply embedded for generations.

In a significant win for conservation and local heritage, Paul and Sharon Guenzler have ensured the permanent protection of 290 acres of their rich farmland in the Mission Valley. The Guenzler family collaborated with Flathead Land Trust to place a conservation easement on their property, finalized on March 31. This vital step safeguards not only the family’s deep agricultural roots and the land’s prime soils, but also crucial habitat for a diverse array of birds and wildlife on their property west of Ronan.

Paul Guenzler is deeply committed to the vitality of agriculture in the Mission Valley. His dedication is evident through his extensive involvement with the Western Montana Stockman’s Association, where he served as a Board Member, Vice President, and President. Recognizing the importance of fostering the next generation, Paul also spearheaded the creation of a scholarship program supporting local 4H and FFA students pursuing careers in agriculture and the cattle industry. Furthermore, he has demonstrated his leadership as Chairman of the Flathead Irrigation District for the past 12 years and continues to support local youth as a Board member of the Mission Valley FFA Alumni. It is therefore a natural extension of his family’s long agricultural history that a portion of their rich farmland will now be permanently available for farming.

This project would not have been possible without federal funding from the Natural Resource Conservation Service Agricultural Land Easement program. This approach aims to protect the nation’s food supply by preventing the conversion of productive agricultural land to non-agricultural uses, thereby keeping rich farmland in agriculture through conservation easements. Through this program a landowner can receive cash for placing a conservation easement on their land; keeping it available for agriculture, preventing future subdivision and limiting future residential and commercial development of the property.

The Guenzlers have great peace of mind knowing their land will perpetually remain available for farming. Paul summed it up, “Conservation easements allow the opportunity for agriculture to persist for future generations while retaining our open space in western Montana.”

Originally owned by a photographer for “Wild Kingdom,” the larger 160-acre parcel encompassing the easement was utilized for wildlife filming. “I purchased our piece in 1990. I was in awe right from the start,” Darrell recalls. Serving as part of a critical wildlife travel corridor between the Swan Range and Swan River, the property is visited by grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, moose and gray wolf. Within the forest-wetland mosaic on the parcel, numerous other animals find refuge and resources. Kingfishers, osprey, geese, ducks of all kinds and great blue herons are regular visitors. Frogs, snakes and dragonflies are abundant. Two ponds and a network of several creeks running through the property provide essential water for wildlife. “The ponds are a magnet for wildlife,” the Grays report.

The property radiates a magical feel, clearly enjoyed by both wildlife and humans. Darrell’s whimsical sculptures stand watch over his artfully crafted ponds and grounds. Occasionally a bear or otter will take a swim among these inanimate guardians. A mile of personal walking trail is as likely to harbor boot prints as a steaming pile of mountain lion scat. Together, the Grays have set up a studio onsite, where Darrell spends many hours creating his large-scale multi-media sculptures while Lael paints. “Living in such a beautiful natural area gives me an endless amount of inspiration and subject matter for my paintings,” Lael, former owner and designer at Northwind Shirt Company in Whitefish, expressed. The majority of the property remains as undeveloped open-space, however, allowing for undisturbed wildlife use within the mixed coniferous forests, wetlands and riparian areas.

Conserving the Gray property through a land protection agreement strengthens the ecological integrity of the entire region. This easement, nestled within a large interconnected network of open space critical habitat, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and water quality of the Swan River watershed. As a vital piece of the region’s forest and wetland mosaic, it will serve as an enduring oasis for both wildlife and humans.

Darrell was interested in protecting the wild nature of the property since he purchased it. “From the beginning it was very important to be a knowledgeable and good steward of the land. We strive to integrate with the forest and keep our impact light.” Today, with securing a conservation easement, the Grays have cemented their profound commitment to stewardship, a legacy that will endure for generations.

Map of the Gray Conservation Easement and surrounding public and protected lands

On November 25, 2024, Mark Schmidt permanently protected his 30-acre parcel along the Whitefish River under a conservation easement with Flathead Land Trust. The property protects prime agricultural lands and riparian habitats, providing wildlife habitat and connectivity.

For decades, Mark Schmidt and his team of mules hayed his agricultural fields along the Whitefish River. Prior to this, the property had a long history as farmland dating back decades before the Schmidts acquired it. Open space in a rapidly developing area, the conservation easement on this parcel just southeast of Whitefish safeguards agriculturally important soils along with wildlife habitat along the Whitefish River. The USDA classifies over 70% of the conserved property as “prime farmland”. As a protected working farm, these critically important soils can continue to be cultivated without the threat of development.

Encompassing a nearly quarter-mile stretch of the Whitefish River just below the confluence with Haskill Creek and above the confluence with Walker Creek, the Schmidt property offers habitat and respite for wildlife moving along the river. Riparian, wetland and aquatic habitats, along with the agricultural fields, support a variety of mammals, birds and fish in a region of Whitefish that has experienced substantial development.

Mark Schmidt affirmed the value of protecting his property while looking out at more than 150 mallards on the Whitefish River flowing through his property. “I just want to keep it how it is.”

The mules have since been retired, but two horses continue to graze the pastures of the property. A neighbor now uses modern machinery to hay the fields. While the methods have changed, the rich farming legacy of the property is preserved, and the fields will remain undeveloped in perpetuity. Wildlife will continue to find refuge, open space will persist and scenic views will endure by virtue of the Schmidt conservation easement.

About the Landowner:

Mark Schmidt spent his early years immersed in quintessential northwestern Montana pursuits, working as a packer in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and as a ski instructor. He and his late wife, Shirley, showed and competed with their mules and horses all across the country and traveled the world, while Mark constructed custom homes.

On November 22, 2024, Flathead Land Trust helped Sally Ericsson and Tom Garwin protect their Stillwater riverfront property near Whitefish in perpetuity with a conservation easement.

Ericsson and Garwin dreamed of protecting their property along the Stillwater River even before they owned it. Over two decades ago, they initiated a collaboration with Flathead Land Trust to find a property to purchase and conserve. When they found and fell in love with their 36-acre parcel just west of Whitefish, it came with significant challenges, but Ericsson and Garwin rose to the occasion.

Many locals remember when Twin Bridges Road followed the Stillwater River through this parcel. In the mid-1990s, three major slumps along the riverbank damaged this road, and even temporarily blocked the river. The county eventually relocated the road, which now follows the southern boundary the Ericsson/Garwin property. Local experts helped restore slumped areas on the property, replanting native vegetation to stabilize the soil and revitalize the riparian ecosystem.

Encompassing diverse forests, wetlands, and seasonally wet areas, the easement protects vital wildlife habitat and winter range for grizzly bear, elk, deer, birds, and other wildlife that regularly utilize the property. Intact riparian forest along a quarter mile of the Stillwater River within the property offers a critical travel corridor for wildlife, connecting to 255 acres of State land and eventually linking to thousands of acres of public land. The easement also protects exceptional agricultural land, currently in hay production. Over 80% of the property contains soils classified as “prime farmland” by the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Conservation and sustainability were at the forefront when Ericsson and Garwin designed their home on the property. Completed in 2015, the residence blends into the landscape and overlooks the stunning Stillwater River. The modern “green” house, designed by Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects and built by Denman Construction, is energy efficient, uses geothermal heat, passive solar design and has beetle kill lumber siding.  The residence subsequently won the award for Craftsmanship in the American Institute of Architecture Seattle 2020 Design Awards competition.

Upon completion of the conservation easement, Ericsson and Garwin reflected on the milestone. “When we purchased our land in 2013, we knew we were buying riparian habitat corridor and we now really understand its importance to the wildlife in the Valley, to the water quality in the Stillwater River and to preserve farmland. We are delighted to permanently conserve our property in partnership with the amazing Flathead Land Trust.”

Working with and enhancing the landscape, Ericsson and Garwin have now completed their dream of owning and protecting an ecologically significant parcel in the Flathead Valley. The Montana way of life, wildlife and water quality are all safeguarded in perpetuity under their conservation easement.

About the landowners: 

Sally and Tom came to Whitefish after long public service careers in Washington, D.C.  Sally worked in the Obama White House as the senior policy official at the Office of Management and Budget overseeing conservation, environmental and science agency budgets and programs and in the Clinton White House Council on Environmental Quality on water and land conservation initiatives including the Everglades and Columbia River salmon conservation.  She also worked on Capitol Hill, at a non-profit climate change organization and for a major California land trust.  Tom worked for major foundations and served in senior positions at the US Agency for International Development and on Capitol Hill.

Swan Lake Gains a Sanctuary for Wildlife, Water Quality and Scenic Beauty

Nestled just above Swan Lake near the confluence with Swan River, a 51-acre parcel of forested land is now permanently protected. Today, Paul Johnson and Candace Greene placed this ecological gem under a donated conservation easement with Flathead Land Trust, safeguarding habitat for birds, wildlife, and forested views for travelers along Highway 83. Preserving this wooded hillside above Swan Lake also safeguards the exceptional water quality of the lake. Keeping this area undisturbed minimizes sediment runoff, the biggest threat to the lake’s health.

The conservation easement honored family ties to the area. “Montana has been a special place to my family going all the way back to when my father drove a red bus in Glacier over 80 years ago. We are pleased to be able to preserve a small piece of what so many people love about Montana. We would also like to thank Flathead Land Trust for working with us to make this preservation a reality,” Paul Johnson summed up after closing.

Previously owned by F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co., the property changed hands multiple times, and was once threatened with development. Driven by a passion for conservation, Johnson and Greene purchased this undeveloped property in 2020. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods to the south and west along the shores of Swan Lake, the newly established conservation easement offers a respite for wildlife. A vital habitat corridor just to the east and northeast consists of a patchwork of state land, Stoltze property, and larger private parcels. This travelway connects the property to the vast expanse of the Swan Mountains within Flathead National Forest, ultimately reaching the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. This significant connection serves a diverse range of wildlife, many of which find refuge on the Johnson-Greene property. White-tailed deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, red fox, and an estimated 63 bird species all utilize this land.

A series of undulating, shallow ridges on the property support healthy coniferous forests. Grand fir, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and western larch tower over the landscape with patches of paper birch and a variety of shrubs and herbaceous plant species thriving in the understory.

This valuable conservation easement was made possible, in part, through a grant from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The family will continue to own and manage the land.

Fox family denning on the Johnson-Greene property, photo courtesy of Hughes Goodwin.
 

Historical photos courtesy of the Loeffler & Rogers families, recent family photo courtesy of Chris Peterson, Hungry Horse News

A diversity of habitats on the easement, including riparian forest, shrublands, wetlands and natural springs, provide foraging opportunities and security for a plethora of wildlife species. Grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, coyote, fox, elk, white-tailed deer, porcupine, and at least 75 species of birds use the property including bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, pileated woodpecker, great blue heron, and many grassland songbirds such as bluebird and western meadowlark.

Continuing the family legacy of community, Luci and her sister, Shirley Folkwien, spearheaded the Upper Flathead Neighborhood Association in 2020 when high-density development was proposed in their neighborhood. The Upper Flathead Neighborhood Association promotes the protection of natural resources, water quality, bird and wildlife habitat and rural landscapes, and maintains the quality of life and economic vitality in the Flathead Valley through citizen participation, education and encouraging land use planning for sensible growth.

Luci concluded, “As land development in the Flathead Valley continues to accelerate, I would encourage any landowner to consider placing their property under a conservation easement. There is no better time than the present to conserve a part of our valley for future generations.”

View of the Weaver Conservation Easements from the Bison Range.

A 122-acre ranch and wildlife haven in the Mission Valley, once platted for subdivision, has been protected in perpetuity with Flathead Land Trust. John Weaver, distinguished retired conservation biologist and land steward, added this parcel along Mission Creek just east of the National Bison Range to his conservation portfolio . Dr. Weaver’s adjacent 159-acre property to the south, containing a section of Sabine Creek, was placed under conservation easement with Flathead Land Trust in 2015.

The Weaver Mission Creek conservation easement also adds to and enhances an 18,000-acre protected wetland complex providing critical nesting habitat and a vital migratory stopover in the Intermountain West portion of the Pacific Flyway. The parcel boasts diverse bird use, with 96 species flourishing in the riverine forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields, including a multitude of songbirds, pileated woodpecker, great blue heron and bald eagle. The property provides critical nesting habitat for at least 50 species, with nearly 40 additional potential nesting species.

Homesteaded in the early 1870s, the ranch has a rich tradition of agriculture. Over half of the property contains “farmland of local importance” as determined by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Now permanently protected, these rich soils will be available for farming in perpetuity.

Rockies Keep It Connected program, Cinnabar Foundation, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Mitigation program.

Photo above: View of the Weaver Conservation Easements from the air. The Weaver Mission Creek easement is along the bottom of the photo.

Conservation Victory Secures Sanctuary, Funds Education

Photo above: Braided section of the Flathead River containing Owen Sowerwine, photo courtesy of GravityShots.com

Photo above: Owen Sowerwine, circa 1970, courtesy of the Sowerwine family

Photo above: Braided section of the Flathead River containing Owen Sowerwine, photo courtesy of GravityShots.com

This distinctive project presented a unique challenge: protecting the property while generating income for Montana’s schools, as mandated for State School Trust Land. A solution was found in a rare purchased conservation easement on State School Trust Land – only made possible by the foresight of Montana lawmakers nearly twenty-five years ago, when they enacted a statute allowing a conservation easement to be placed on this specific parcel of land by a nonprofit.

To fund this massive project, the community rose to the occasion, adding to significant grants and contributions from foundations. When a final grant proposal was unsuccessful, Whitefish philanthropists, Jim and Lisa Stack donated generously to close the funding gap. Through tireless efforts, dedicated partners, and many generous donors, the easement was secured for $970,000, which will be invested in the State School Trust Fund, supporting education for years to come.

Owen Sowerwine’s dream for this land, envisioned five decades ago, has become a lasting reality – a vibrant haven for wildlife and a cherished community resource. Ownership will remain with the state, while Flathead Audubon Society will continue its passionate stewardship of resources and educational programs, as it has for many years. Public access will continue, and Owen Sowerwine’s legacy will live on.

This project would not have been possible without major funding from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust; The Kendeda Fund and Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation through the Heart of the Rockies Initiative; Whitefish Community Foundation; North American Wetland Conservation Act Grant; Flathead River to Lake Initiative; High Stakes Foundation; Cinnabar Foundation; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Mitigation Program and several smaller grants.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support we received from over 300 individuals in our communities that gave to Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Audubon Society and Flathead Lakers,” said Paul Travis, Executive Director at Flathead Land Trust. “The generous donations from Jim and Lisa Stack, James Hollensteiner, Molly Miller and Mark Jungerman, Lauren Pipkorn, Thomas and Teresa Quinn, Carol Bibler and Jim Watson, Lynda Saul, Michael Russell and Sally Cameron-Russell, Julie Baldridge, Alan and Sallie Gratch, and the Sowerwine family, among many other community members, was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.”

For a full list of all of the vitally important donors, click HERE.

To learn more about visiting Owen Sowerwine, explore HERE.

Egan Slough on the Jaquette Conservation Easement.

Prime Time for Preservation:

Flathead Land Trust is thrilled to announce the permanent protection of one of Flathead Valley’s agricultural jewels. On January 17, 2024, Charles and Renate Jaquette placed their 497-acre farm just east of Kalispell under conservation easement with Flathead Land Trust. Containing some of the richest topsoil in the valley, the easement adds to a growing network of conserved farms in the highly productive Creston area, including a 731-acre farm placed under easement by Myron and Vicky Mast with Montana Land Reliance late last year. Safeguarding these fertile farming grounds in the Creston area is vital to preserving the Flathead Valley’s agricultural heritage and way of life. This suite of protected lands also protects scenic vistas and open space that is exceedingly valuable to the public.

The Jaquette farm legacy has been passed down through generations, since 1907 when Charles’ grandfather, also named Charles Jaquette, first settled in the productive Flathead Valley. The family farm has raised everything from wheat, canola, potatoes, barley, peas, corn, soybeans, mint and hay to hogs. They had a few dairy cows in the early years and later switched to grazing some beef cattle. The property is perfect for agriculture, if irrigated, with the majority of it containing “prime farmland”, according to the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Ag with a View: wheat and potato fields on the Jaquette property

The conservation easement will ensure that the family farm stays intact as one parcel and will limit residential and commercial development in perpetuity, protecting its conservation values. The rich soils will forever be available for agriculture and its wetlands will remain intact for birds and wildlife in the future. Encompassing over a mile of Egan Slough, the Jaquette property provides excellent bird habitat and is strategically located for both birds and wildlife at a landscape scale.

Building upon the existing network of more than 13,000 acres of conserved lands along a 50-mile stretch of the Flathead River and north shore of Flathead Lake, the Jaquette property is an integral piece of the preservation puzzle. This conservation network provides vital habitat and an important travel corridor for wildlife, including grizzly bear that travel along the passageway. Lying within a major bird flyway, the Jaquette easement serves as critical stopover habitat for birds to rest and refuel on their long migrations. It also affords nesting habitat for many birds including bald eagle, which nest on an island in Egan Slough within the property. Over 150 species of birds have been chronicled in the area, 24 of which are sensitive or species of concern.

The conservation easement was purchased with funding from the Natural Resource Conservation Service Agricultural Land Easement program. “This NRCS program is a great way for farmers to be compensated for keeping their valuable land in agriculture. The landowners are able to keep their land intact and have some cash for retirement or to pay down a mortgage or whatever the landowner chooses,” says Laura Katzman of Flathead Land Trust. “The easement ensures there will never be a residential subdivision or box store or gas station or dump on the property. The property will remain largely as it is today throughout time.”