FEATURED PROJECTS

Little Bitterroot Beauty

December 9, 2011 - Flathead Land Trust closed on a 183-acre conservation easement bordering Little Bitterroot Lake about 26 miles southwest of Kalispell. The property is owned by Section Seven, L.L.C. and is bordered by Plum Creek on the west and some U.S. Forest Service land on the south. The land is primarily upland forest habitat rising about 900 feet from lake level to a high point at about 4,800 feet in elevation.

Views from the high point on the easement are breathtaking with Little Bitterroot Lake, the Swan Mountains, and Pleasant Valley-Fisher River drainage in sight. There are currently no structures on the land and the easement will continue to provide natural forest habitat for wildlife with limited timber harvest. The easement allows for some limited structures to be built in the future, such as a warming hut and boat dock. The 500 feet of riparian area along the lake will be buffered with 100 feet of natural vegetation up from the high water line.

In addition to its open spaces and natural lakeshore which provide scenic views for folks spending time on the lake, this spectacular property has relatively natural forest habitat for a variety of native plants and wildlife such as grizzly bears, osprey, bald eagles, black bears, mountain lions, grey wolves, elk, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer, and many small mammal and bird species.

A Haven for Wildlife

In December, we also wrapped up a project with Jack and Judy Moses, placing a conservation easement on 121 acres of their property about 10 miles east of Kalispell just northeast of Creston. Bordering the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Creston Fish Hatchery and an existing FLT conservation easement, this is a good example of how FLT works to increase the impact of its conservation by expanding "neighborhoods" where there are other lands already protected.

The conservation easement protects important wildlife habitat, agricultural soils, and scenic views from Hwy 35. One of the standout features of this property is that it contains a variety of habitat types important for wildlife including forested areas, open meadows, wetlands, and a plant community listed as “Imperiled” by the Montana Natural Heritage Program, containing Engelmann spruce and skunk cabbage. Over 50% of its soils are classified as “prime farmland” by the U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service.

There is a home and associated outbuildings on the property and agricultural use will continue. However, only a limited area can be grazed in the future to protect the wetlands and wet forest types including the “Imperiled” Engelmann spruce/skunk cabbage habitat.

To view other projects, click here.