Flathead Land Trust bestowed Conservation Leadership Awards to two area conservation champions – Gael Bissell (left) and Constanza von der Phalen (right) – at FLT’s annual holiday gathering and member appreciation party on Dec. 12.

Gael worked as a habitat biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for 31 years in the Flathead and helped lead mitigation and management programs. After retiring from FWP she worked for The Vital Ground Foundation on grizzly bear habitat conservation projects.

Constanza has been the Flathead Lakers Critical Lands Program Director for nearly 20 years and is coordinator of the Flathead River to Lake Initiative. She helped Flathead Land Trust raise needed funds for the Flathead River Conservation Project and has helped FLT on several other events as well.

“We can’t think of two more deserving people to receive the award this year and are very grateful for their unwavering leadership, service and commitment to conserving our spectacular land and water legacy through community-based conservation,” said Paul Travis, Flathead Land Trust executive director.