Flathead Land Trust has received two $100,000 grants from the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) program that will provide a majority of the funding for two purchased Flathead-area wetland-related conservation easements.

     One of the purchased conservation easements will protect 53.4 acres of key wildlife habitat along Mill Creek near its confluence with the Flathead River. The conservation project will protect 38 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat and .6 miles of Mill Creek. The project property is used by a plethora of wildlife including thousands of waterfowl and other birds and grizzly bears. It is located only about a mile downstream from the FLT’s Flathead River Conservation Project.

     The other purchased conservation easement will protect 34.5 acres and a key wetland in the lower Flathead Valley, plus create a new bird viewing area for the public. The conservation project will protect 12 acres of Reed’s Slough; the other half of Reed’s Slough is already protected by a conservation easement. The project is also adjacent to about 1,300 acres of protected private land around Wiley Slough. The project parcel is used by thousands of migrating waterfowl and over 100 species of birds. The bird viewing area for the public will be created overlooking Reed’s Slough in cooperation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. (Photos from Flathead Land Trust)