Outdoor recreation accounted for 4.4% of Montana’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, up .1% from 2020 and the second highest percentage of any state, behind only Hawaii at 4.8%.

Community members and local environmental leaders gathered at Bigfork High School on Nov. 16 to discuss a path forward for the town’s outdoor recreation economy as a part of the Bigfork “Recreation Connection Action Plan” (RCAP) community input meeting.

The Community Partnerships Lead plays an important role on the development team in executing several of the Conservancy’s most critical fundraising initiatives. This position is responsible for cultivating and stewarding vibrant community and business partnerships. The Community Partnerships Lead oversees the Dollar Add-On Program and business sponsorships. This position also takes a lead role in event planning and grants administration, particularly as they pertain to our community and business partners. The Community Partnerships Lead explores new ways to engage partners in the Conservancy’s mission and and inspires them to support park projects and programs.

The Montana Conservation Corps is hiring Field Crew Leaders! At MCC, we focus on the growth of our participants, positively impacting our climate and environment, and transferable job skills. 

Living Allowance: $1,120 biweekly before taxes are taken out - AmeriCorps Education Award: $4,826.50 upon completion of the program - Health Insurance: Provided at NO COST - Member Assistance Program: Free 24/7 access to confidential behavioral health counseling, financial assistance, medical/legal advocacy, and more! - Food Per Diem while on Projects - Access to Pro Deals - Housing options may be available

In addition to a large veteran population, nearly one-third of Montana’s landmass consists of public lands managed by the federal government under the National Parks Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies. Interagency Military Lifetime Pass holders will be able to avoid fees at Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park and other public lands that charge entrance and other recreation fees.

The one-day workshop targets backcountry professionals and recreational enthusiasts alike and will whet the appetites of novice skiers and riders as well as backcountry aficionados.

To begin with, I purchase my membership pass to the Glacier Nordic Club, which supports grooming and youth ski education programs at the Glacier Nordic Center (located at the Whitefish Golf Course), as well as at Haskill Basin, the Big Mountain Nordic Trails, and, beginning this year, Meadow Lake Golf Course.

For the past two years, Wild Montana has joined forces with The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation in an effort to clear the trail up Tunnel Creek.

The Holbrook addition brings the nonprofit WLP one step closer to completing its goal of closing the Whitefish Trail loop — a fully connected network of trail connecting the city of Whitefish to Lion Mountain, Beaver Lake, Swift Creek, Spencer Mountain, and Big Mountain.

Although Brandt only recently began his new role as the executive director, he has been involved with FAMB for the last several years and was on the board of directors at one point. He remembers when the organization was still in its early stages, primarily working on Spencer Mountain, a project that evolved into FAMB.

The new trailhead was recently completed and Whitefish Legacy Partners, who manages the Whitefish Trail, is hosting a grand opening celebration of the Holbrook Overlook on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. Festivities will include ribbon cutting, drinks and refreshments, a scavenger hunt and kids’ activities.

For the third year, the Whitefish Trail Legacy Run will feature a 50-kilometer (31-mile) ultramarathon that begins and ends at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish and is set to coincide with the Great Northwest Oktoberfest.

Year after year, the Flathead Valley’s scenic trails garner millions of visitors, as locals and tourists alike set out to hike, bike, run, ride and walk. While outdoors groups across the area are eager to share the Flathead’s trails and paths, many are also working to prioritize responsible use. With new projects and expansions on the horizon, Flathead Trails Association (FTA) — a coalition of local outdoors enthusiasts committed to preserving and advancing trails — is making strides to increase cooperation and improve trail conservation throughout the Valley.

“Flathead area land managers and nonprofits have linked arms over the past four years to make this happen,” says Gabe Dillon, committee member and Foy’s to Blacktail Trails Program Coordinator. “We’ve been saying all along how great it would be to have a central source for trail information, events and volunteer opportunities to serve locals and visitors alike. Now it’s here.”

With a few years spent as a paramedic/firefighter in Bigfork, her passion for the greater Flathead community has continued to grow and evolve. She now leads volunteer trail projects around the state of Montana - bringing with her the spirit of volunteerism and the fervor for adventure.

The position oversees the operations of the Glacier Nordic Club (GNC) and Glacier Nordic Club Ski Team (GNST) Nordic programs and serve as the Head Coach of the Competitive Team. GNST Programs include Chet Hope Youth Ski League (ages 4-10), Junior Jets Program (ages 8-11), Prep Team (ages 11-13), Comp Team (14-18), and assist with the Masters Program.

Outdoor enthusiasts may have already begun to notice the new signage going up as several area trail management groups have come together to launch Outside Kind Flathead, a new trail user courtesy campaign aimed at reducing conflicts.

The Crystal Cedar Project includes a proposed 25 miles of recreational trails about a mile north of Columbia Falls, just west of North Fork Road. It also proposes to conduct 3,700 acres of vegetation management to reduce fuels close to neighborhoods in the wildland-urban interface, including 2,500 acres of timber harvest, the majority of which has taken place.

Under the guidance of FAMB’s Executive Director (ED), the Programs & Events Coordinator will help plan, promote, and manage FAMB programs and events as well as assist with fundraising and other administrative tasks that may not be listed below.