Boosting River Safety and Stewardship on the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River

Mar 17

Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA) has secured Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Grant and is recruiting River Ambassadors to enhance river safety and stewardship, on the Three Forks of the Flathead River, for the 2022 float season.

In hopes of eliminating preventable river fatalities, Roundup for Safety Board of Directors have committed $5,000 towards the purchase of Life Jacket Loaner Station structure materials, River Ambassador first aid kits, and development of river safety messaging animations. This grant will be matched by Flathead Resource Advisory Committee, Flathead National Forest, National Park Foundation, and Whitefish Community Foundation funds and in-kind matches from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and FRA volunteers to enhance river safety education and programming. Permanent life jacket loaner stations will be installed at two popular river access sites and stocked through the shoulder and summer seasons. “Usage and visitation has dramatically increased over the last decade for the Three Forks of the Flathead where much of the river corridor borders Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest. Working together we’re able to increase our capacity to boost education and outreach for river users.”

FRA is ramping up for the 2022 river season and recruiting 20-30 volunteer team members! Are you passionate about the river system that inspired a national protected Wild and Scenic River system and want to be an active stakeholder or citizen scientist? In anticipation of another record river user year for the Three Forks of the Flathead, FRA is expanding their River Ambassador program and officially launching a River Recreation Monitoring program. Volunteer trainings will be offered April 12th 6:00-8:00 PM and April 14th 6:00-8:00 PM at Glacier Outdoor Center, in West Glacier. Trainings are conducted in partnership with FRA, Glacier National Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Flathead National Forest. These partners are invested in river users having an enjoyable and safe experience, while ensuring the river system’s outstanding remarkable values are protected.

If you are interested in joining Flathead Rivers Alliance’s team and improving stewardship and safety on the Three Forks of the Flathead River contact Sheena Pate at info@flatheadrivers.org or visit www.flatheadrivers.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and upcoming events.