To Flathead Residents and Visitors:
I never cease to be enthralled by that first glimpse of Flathead Lake as I travel north and ascend the crest of Polson hill. I think you'll agree it's one of those times when daily concerns fade and we appreciate the moment and the place.
It's hard to put a price on beauty, clean water or quality of life. But these are things we value and that are attracting more people to live and work, retire, or vacation here. We've all seen that without care, stewardship, information and planning, growth and development can damage the very things that attract people.
The Flathead Lakers works for clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life in the Flathead Watershed. Through our Stewardship Programs we provide citizens, students, government officials and resource managers with information that will help them make good decisions.
We have the opportunity now to help shape the future. Change is occurring quickly in the Flathead. We must act now. Please help keep Flathead Lake clean and beautiful by joining the Flathead Lakers.
Robin Steinkraus, Executive Director
People working together for clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life in the Flathead Watershed. Friends and neighbors, year round and part-time residents, who believe that: Flathead Lake serves as a barometer of the health of our watershed. A healthy economy and clean water go hand in hand. Our children and grandchildren deserve clean water and a healthy environment.
Formed in 1958, the Flathead Lakers has a long history of volunteer efforts to protect Flathead Lake and water quality. Our board members come from diverse backgrounds and expertise including local business, corporate management, banking, environmental policy, biological sciences, and Salish and Kootenai Tribal membership. Committees, whose membership includes both directors and members, plan and implement programs. The organization employs an executive director who assists the board of directors and committees and leads daily program and outreach activities, a project leader who leads and coordinates our Critical Lands Project, and a part time administrative assistant.
Our approach is to broaden the constituency for responsible and thoughtful land use planning and resource management, and encourage land and water stewardship. We build partnerships to more effectively address conservation priorities so that our communities can absorb growth and provide economic opportunities while maintaining our special natural heritage and quality of life for future generations.
- Brought agencies and organizations together to protect and restore lands critical to lake quality through our Critical Lands Project.
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- Initiated a project to reduce negative impacts of personal watercraft.
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- Insisted that a drought management plan be completed to better manage summer lake levels during droughts.
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- Worked to secure funding for water quality monitoring and raised funds during an emergency funding shortfall.
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- Developed a watershed education program for students.
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- Worked to assure upgrading of sewage treatment plants for phosphorus removal. Intervened to improve the mitigation plan for Kerr Dam and ensure citizen participation, resulting in a plan for recovery of the lower Flathead River and compensation for habitat loss.
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- Helped ban phosphate detergents in Flathead and Lake counties.
