News

Collaborative 1,131-Acre Foys to Blacktail Community Forest Project Officially Launched

by jen
A Landmark Collaboration for Conservation and Recreation

Flathead Land Trust, Foys to Blacktail Trails, and our partners are proud to announce the official launch of the Foys to Blacktail Community Forest Project. This decades-long community dream reached a major milestone on April 9, with Flathead Land Trust’s purchase of 1,131 acres from the Griffith Family Foundation.

Located just five miles from Kalispell and directly south of Herron Park, this project secures a front country landscape at high risk of development, ensuring permanent protection for wildlife habitat and expanded recreational access.

The Path Forward: A $350,000 Community Goal

Eleven donors through Whitefish Community Foundation were instrumental in providing the initial funding to secure the land.

We are now launching a joint public fundraising campaign to raise $350,000 for the long-term stewardship and maintenance of this community forest.

Protecting Access and Wildlife

The property includes 12 miles of existing unmotorized forest roads and trails, encompassing a 3.5-mile ridgetop segment of the Foys to Blacktail Trail.

What is safeguarded:

  • Recreation: Secures permanent access for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, hunters, and equestrians.
  • Habitat: Serves as a vital passageway for Montana’s iconic wildlife, including elk, moose, wolves, and bears.
  • Sustainable Forestry: The land will continue to be actively managed for forest health and wildfire mitigation.
A Collaborative Path to Permanent Protection

This project is made possible through a unique partnership between Flathead Land Trust, Foys to Blacktail Trails, Trust for Public Land, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Whitefish Community Foundation and Griffith Family Foundation.

The long-term plan involves:
  • Phase I: Property Acquisition: Flathead Land Trust purchases the property from Griffith Family Foundation (completed!). This phase was made possible through generous donations from eleven individual donors through Whitefish Community Foundation.
  • Phase II: Conservation Easement: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks intends to hold a conservation easement on the property (subject to approvals). The conservation easement process is funded through the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, secured by Trust for Public Land.
  • Phase III: Long-term Ownership: Once the easement is finalized, ownership will transfer to Foys to Blacktail Trails for perpetual stewardship and enhanced recreational growth.
How you can help:
  • Celebrate: Join us for a community celebration at the Foys Community Center (Herron Park) on Friday evening, May 1.

Together, we are ensuring that the trails, scenery, and wild character of this landscape remain open for the Flathead community – forever.

“We are proud to play a significant role in the realization of what has been a community dream for decades,” relayed Paul Travis, Flathead Land Trust Executive Director. “By securing this critical property, we are now able to protect it from future development and provide permanent conservation so that the public will always be able to enjoy its trails, open scenery, and important wildlife habitat.”

Nathan Russell, Executive Director of Foys to Blacktail Trails, added, “This project aligns with our mission and goals to advocate for access and trail connectivity between Blacktail Mountain, Herron Park, and the greater Flathead Valley.  It’s about stewardship, expanding outdoor recreational opportunities for our community, bringing people together, and celebrating the spirit of collaboration.”