Flathead Land Trust

Tails on the Trails: Dog Day at Harrell Forest
2025-06-07 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | Harrell Forest, 1017 Bigfork Stage Road, Bigfork, MT, 59911
Mark Your Calendars for “Tails on the Trails”!
Please join us for “Tails on the Trails” on National Trails Day – June 7th (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Celebrate National Trails Day at Harrell Forest with a tail-wagging adventure for you and your dog! Hit the trails together and learn tips for responsible trail use while enjoying the beauty of the forest. At 10:00 a.m., Sarah Luna of Last Best K9 will lead a free leash training workshop to help you and your dog build good trail habits. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Throughout the day, dogs can bring their human by the Harrell Forest B.A.R.K. ranger table and earn their very own Harrell Forest B.A.R.K. ranger certification. It’s a pawsome way to explore nature responsibly and keep the trails safe for all!
Join us as we celebrate 40 years of Protecting and Connecting! To register for a hike or the leash training session, contact Jen at 406-752-8293 or info@flatheadlandtrust.com. We can’t wait to see you there!

Harrell Forest Community Day
2025-05-03 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Harrell Forest, 1017 Bigfork Stage Road, Bigfork, MT, 59911
Get Ready to Explore! Harrell Forest Community Day is Saturday, May 3rd!
Mark your calendars: Harrell Forest Community Day is just around the corner, and we’re thrilled to invite you to a day of outdoor fun, learning, and community spirit on Saturday, May 3rd, from 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m.
Join us for a fantastic opportunity to discover the beauty and history of Harrell Forest right here in Bigfork! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Fun for All Ages:

Guided Hikes: See descriptions of our three fun, informative and diverse hikes below
Trivia Challenge: Test your knowledge of Harrell Forest with our engaging trivia game! Prizes are involved!
Conservation Corn Hole: Enjoy a friendly game of corn hole with a conservation twist!
Informational Table: Our friendly Flathead Land Trust staff will be on hand throughout the day to answer your questions about the forest, local conservation efforts, upcoming programs, and how you can get involved.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, May 3rd
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Harrell Forest (1017 Bigfork Stage Road, just east of Bigfork)
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, weather-appropriate clothing, and a curious mind!

We can’t wait to see you there for a day of exploration and community connection in the beautiful Harrell Forest!
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Guided Hikes (*Please email us to sign up for hikes!):

Rooted Connections: Discovering the Forest One Leaf at a Time (9:00-10:30 a.m.) Ready to leaf your worries behind? Join us for a moderately paced 2.7-mile round-trip hike, winding through quiet conifer forests and the elegant stillness of a birch stand, following gentle switchbacks along the way. As we walk, we’ll uncover clues—leaf shapes, bark textures, berries, buds, and more—that help us recognize the forest’s most iconic residents and the roles they play in this living story. This is your chance to sharpen your tree and shrub ID skills while deepening your connection to the land.
Forest Friends: Kids’ Hike (11:00-11:45 a.m.) This easy, 1.5-mile hike is perfect for young explorers and their responsible adult! Together, you’ll discover the important role forests and trees play in our ecosystem and how they support wildlife and improve air and water quality. It’s a fun, interactive way for kids to connect with nature while learning something new!
History in the Hills: The Story of Harrell Forest Hike (1:00-2:30 p.m.) Take a step back in time as we explore the history of Harrell Forest and the more recent story of conservation and construction of its community trail system. This 4-mile round-trip hike, featuring beautiful views of Flathead Lake from the overlook, will dive into the land’s past and the collaborative efforts that transformed it into a cherished community resource.

*Please email us at: info@flatheadlandtrust.org to sign up for hikes

Grand Opening of Danford Reed’s Slough Wildlife Viewing Area
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver) | Reed’s Slough
Please join us for the grand opening of the Reed’s Slough Wildlife Viewing Area on Saturday, April 12, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Space is limited, so please RSVP at info@flatheadlandtrust.org or (406) 752-8293.
This new viewing area is situated on private land graciously provided by the Danford family, and is protected by a conservation easement held by Flathead Land Trust. Thanks to funding from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and partners, the public can now enjoy this vital wetland habitat, a key stop for migratory waterfowl.
Learn about this special area and witness the migratory birds already arriving in the valley, with expert birders and spotting scopes to enhance your experience! The program will feature speakers from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Lakers, Flathead Audubon, and Flathead Wildlife.
Special thanks to the Danford family, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and all the partners who made this project possible!

Community Benefit Day at Backslope Brewing
2025-04-08 11:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Backslope Brewing, 1107 9th St W, Columbia Falls, MT, 59912
Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, April 8th, Backslope Brewing Company is generously supporting Flathead Land Trust. Enjoy your favorite Backslope brews and tasty menu items all day long, and a percentage of the sales will be donated to support our community-based conservation work in northwest Montana. It’s a delicious way to make a difference! Meet and greet Flathead Land Trust Board and Staff from 5:00 until 7:00. See you there!

Community Tap Night at Tamarack Brewing
2025-02-24 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Tamarack Brewing Company, 05 Blacktail Rd Suite #1, Lakeside, MT, 59922
Join us at Tamarack Brewing Company on Monday, February 24th, from 5-8 PM for Community Tap Night! We’ll be raising our glasses to protect northwest Montana’s stunning landscapes, clean water, and abundant wildlife through community-based conservation.
​For every pint sold during the event, Tamarack Brewing Company will donate $0.50 to Flathead Land Trust. Plus, all week long, you can round up your bill to further support their mission of preserving the open spaces and natural beauty that make the Flathead Valley so special.
​Come sip, support, and celebrate conservation—one pint at a time!

Wintering Birds of Prey Field Trip, Co-Sponsored by Owl Research Institute
2025-02-01 | MT
Denver Holt, world-renowned owl and bird of prey expert and founder of the Owl Research Institute, and Laura Katzman of Flathead Land Trust will lead a tour of the wintering birds of prey in the Mission Valley on Saturday, February 1. The Owl Research Institute monitors raptors each winter in the Mission Valley with monthly surveys. The tour route will be based on those surveys and will include lands that are important to wintering birds of prey that are in the process of being conserved. Last year on a similar tour participants saw rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, northern harrier, bald eagles, and American kestrel as well as other birds. Group size is limited and carpooling will be required. To sign up please e-mail: lkatzman@www.flatheadlandtrust.org.

End of Year Membership & Partner Appreciation Celebration
2024-12-12 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Meridian Office Complex, 690 N. Meridian, Kalispell, MT, 59901, United States
Please join us on December 11th to celebrate our successes in 2024, and THANK YOU for the fantastic year we’ve had together. Our member and partner appreciation year-end celebration is our appreciation to our dedicated donors, supporters, members and partners. It’s YOU who make successful community-based conservation possible! We’ll provide complimentary food by Cartwright Catering, drinks, live music, and some exciting updates of what we have on tap for 2023. We will also be recognizing this years recipient of the FLT Conservation Leadership Award.
The event will be hosted at our office starting at 6:00 PM. Our office is located at: 690 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
Please RSVP with Paul Travis at 406-752-8293 or ptravis@www.flatheadlandtrust.org. We hope to see you there!

Owen Sowerwine Celebration
2024-07-10 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | MT

Harrell Forest Guided Wildflower Walk
2024-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Harrell Forest Community Trails, 1017 Bigfork Stage Road, BIgfork, MT, United States
Explore Spring Wildflowers at the New Harrell Forest Trails!
Join Flathead Land Trust’s Jen Guse on a guided wildflower walk through the beautiful new Harrell Forest Trails in Bigfork, Montana (1017 Bigfork Stage Road). This event takes place on Thursday, May 9th, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
What to Expect:

Discover the diverse wildflowers blooming in the forest.
Learn about the history and development of the Harrell Forest Trail system.
Experience the scenic views and tranquility of the forest.

Meeting: Meet at the Harrell Forest Parking Lot a few minutes before 6:00 p.m.
Pace: This will be a slow-paced walk, allowing plenty of time to admire the wildflowers and ask questions. Be prepared to bend down and get a closer look at the botanical wonders!
Registration: Space is limited, so please register in advance by contacting info@www.flatheadlandtrust.org.
We look forward to exploring the beauty of the Harrell Forest with you!

Geology Tour of Harrell Forest
2024-03-28 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | MT
Join Flathead Land Trust’s Executive Director, Paul Travis, for a Guided Geology Tour of the Harrell Forest Trails in Bigfork, Montana.
Date: Tuesday, June 18th Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: 1017 Bigfork Stage Road, Bigfork, MT (Harrell Forest Parking Lot)
Uncover the Earth’s Story:

Learn about the ancient bedrock of the Harrell Forest, formed over a billion years ago.
Discover the impact of glaciers that sculpted the landscape during quaternary ice ages.
See evidence of glacial till and glacial erratics deposited by retreating glaciers.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Swan Mountains and Flathead Lake.
Learn about the history and development of the Harrell Forest Trail System.

This program is perfect for anyone curious about the geological wonders of the Flathead Valley.
Space is limited, so please register in advance by contacting info@www.flatheadlandtrust.org.

Donor and Partner Appreciation Year-End Celebration
2023-12-14 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | MT
Please join us for a celebration and THANK YOU for the incredible year we’ve had. Together, we’ve achieved many conservation, education and recreation goals, and we would like to show our appreciation to you – our dedicated donors, members, volunteers and partners. We will have food, drinks and a short program with updates and exciting new projects for 2024. You won’t want to miss it!
Contact Paul Travis at ptravis@www.flatheadlandtrust.org or 406-752-8293 to RSVP and for more information.
