It’s great to be back! The days are warmer, the future is looking brighter, and FLARE K-12 is once again able to safely bring students and teachers out of the classroom and into the field. Already, the program has hosted several in-person field trips at the Bio Station, including Bigfork Scout Troops 1916 and 1923, and FLARE educators recently took part in the Flathead Watershed Through The Seasons teacher workshop at Lone Pine State Park. Additionally, in the past few weeks FLARE K-12 joined CSKT Aquatic Invasive Species, Flathead Lakers, Montana State Parks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Big Sky Watershed Corps, Protect Our Waters Montana, Montana Black Dog Services, and the students and teachers of Bigfork Middle School for the first official in-person Aquatic Invasive Species Mussel Walk since 2019!
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We're incredibly grateful to all of the businesses, organizations, healthcare providers, and individuals for all that they've done to pull us out of the insidious grip of the pandemic, and an additional gratitude goes out to our wonderful partners throughout Montana and the Flathead Watershed! It's an honor standing on the front lines with you all in the fight to keep our waters mussel-free for generations to come!
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Collaboration in the Crown:
Working Together is Most Effective Tool to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
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The Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. Photo courtesy: Crown Managers Partnership
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The Crown of the Continent Ecosystem—known as the Crown, for short—is one of the most iconic and intact ecosystems in the world. It’s where the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains converge, a landscape comprised of sprawling prairies and prominent mountain peaks. The waters originating in the Crown spill in three different directions across the North American continent. Plants and animals rely on these waters for survival, as do millions of people in and downstream of the Crown who use its clean water for drinking, irrigation, hydropower, and recreation.
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With the Crown’s water serving as the lifeblood for so many people, ecosystems, and economies across the continent, and devastating aquatic invasive species always lurking at our door, protecting the Crown’s pristine waters remains a primary concern. Recently, the Crown Managers Partnership published an article emphasizing the environmental and economic importance of protecting the Crown’s pristine waters. The article also highlights the vast collaborative efforts being made to safeguard these waters, revealing that the greatest tool we have in the fight against invasive mussels is our ability to work together.
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Partnering with Paxton:
PaddleHeads Baseball and FLBS Reunite for Exciting Fundraising Opportunity!
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As many of you are undoubtedly aware, a few weeks ago we began receiving reports that a mysterious creature has re-emerged in the Flathead Watershed. After considerable analysis and study, we are now able to officially confirm that the mysterious creature is none other than our good friend Paxton the Moose of Missoula PaddleHeads baseball!
Turns out Paxton dropped by to give the Bio Station some incredible news: The FLBS and the PaddleHeads will once again partner up for the Conservation and Environment Community Night baseball game against the Ogden Raptors on Monday, June 28th at 7:00pm!
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When you purchase your tickets through the special FLBS Ticket Outlet link below, 50% of the revenue will go directly to the support of our research, monitoring and education programs! As an added bonus, all funds raised will be generously matched by the PaddleHeads’ owners at the end of the season, which means that 100% of your purchase will help us watch over and protect our beloved Flathead Watershed!
Remember: FLBS only receives the revenue from the ticket purchased through the provided link, so get excited for a night with the Missoula PaddleHeads and grab those tickets while supplies last! You can also help us spread the word by sharing the link and news about this wonderfully generous opportunity, courtesy Paxton and the amazing Missoula PaddleHeads!
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FLBS Benches:
New Sponsorship Opportunity to Invest in the Future of the Bio Station
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Nestled on the shores of Yellow Bay, the Bio Station campus features over 80 acres and roughly 60 buildings. From this wonderful setting—which is almost entirely funded by external sources that include hospitality revenue and philanthropic giving—our scientists and students conduct world-renowned research and essential long-term monitoring of our beloved Flathead Lake.
To help support the maintenance and upgrades of our Bio Station facilities and grounds, we are excited to announce the FLBS Bench Sponsorship Opportunity! Through this opportunity, you are able to honor family members and loved ones by sponsoring handcrafted benches at the Bio Station. These benches were hand made from old growth Ponderosa Pine (estimated to be over 200 years old!) that were blown down in a major windstorm in the winter of 2008. Milled locally and crafted in house, these beautiful benches have been crafted into two distinct styles and positioned in scenic locations throughout the FLBS campus.
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Offering breathtaking views of Flathead Lake and wildlife watching opportunities, these benches provide a wonderful place to reflect on past while supporting FLBS infrastructure and the wonderful lake and watershed that we work to protect every day. Please consider sponsoring a bench to support FLBS and what we do.
For more information please contact:
Tom Bansak, Associate Director, FLBS
Email: tom.bansak@umontana.edu
Phone: 406-872-4503
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Bio Station Business Drive Update: Flathead Lake Cherry Growers, Inc.
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Flathead Lake Cherry Growers, Inc.
In operation since 1935, Flathead Lake Cherry Growers, Inc. is a co-operative of approximately 100 cherry growers that connect our famous Flathead cherries with retail sellers throughout the country. Offering additional resources and support for locally-owned orchards, the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers play a significant role in the sustainable cultivation of one of Montana's most iconic products.
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