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: [email protected] to sign up for hikes

Celebrate 40 Years of Community-Based Conservation with Flathead Land Trust!

Please join us for a special day celebrating 40 years of conservation in northwest Montana at Flathead Land Trust’s Anniversary Celebration: Protect and Connect! Tickets are on sale now for $40/person ($1 for every year of conservation). Kids under 10 are FREE! 

We invite you to gather on Saturday, June 21st, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the stunning Kohrs property, nestled along the Stillwater River just west of Whitefish. This beautiful 655-acre landscape, protected in 2022 through a conservation easement with Flathead Land Trust, showcases some of the vital agricultural land, forest and riparian habitat we work tirelessly to preserve.

Come and enjoy:

• Live music by the talented Mike Murray
• Delicious picnic lunch created by local caterer, Uptown Hearth
• Refreshing beer and wine
• Fun for the whole family with conservation corn hole, face painting, fairy hair, trivia, guided walking tours, and hay rides
• Exciting chances to win one of our raffle baskets
• An inspiring program featuring speakers integral to Flathead Land Trust’s 40-year history
• An opportunity to directly support our future conservation efforts through a paddle raise

This is a wonderful chance to connect with fellow conservation enthusiasts, learn more about Flathead Land Trust’s impact over the past four decades, and experience firsthand the beauty of a protected landscape.

The Kohrs property, a testament to the power of voluntary land protection, offers a picturesque backdrop for our celebration. Its conservation easement ensures the long-term preservation of its valuable agricultural lands, thriving forests and critical riparian areas along the Stillwater River, offering habitat and connectivity for plentiful wildlife.

We can’t wait to celebrate this significant milestone with you! Mark your calendars for June 21st and join us for a day of community, conservation, and connection at the Protect and Connect! 40th Anniversary Celebration.

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