Flathead Rivers Under Freeze
Safeguarding the Future of the Flathead River System Together
The federal government announced a freeze on hundreds of billions of dollars in already-approved funding earlier this month creating uncertainty not only for federal agencies, but also for their partner non-profit organizations who have increasingly stepped up to provide services that agencies no longer have funding and capacity for. Additionally, recent hiring freezes and mass terminations of Flathead National Forest seasonal and probationary staff have left further capacity gaps on the river system. Direct government grants and operation agreements account for 30% of Flathead Rivers Alliance’s annual operation budget to conduct education, outreach, stewardship, and river access improvements.
In 2019, diverse stakeholders gathered riverside and in lively taprooms and community rooms across the Flathead Valley with a collective vision of a resilient and healthy Flathead River ecosystem with people interacting respectfully and responsibly. Usage and visitation had dramatically increased over the last decade while resource management agencies had been increasingly unsupported and challenged to keep up with the increasing threats to the resource. From these gatherings, Flathead Rivers Alliance was established to be the lead non-profit organization to serve as a nexus of stakeholders, resources, education and stewardship surrounding the river system that inspired that the creation of the National Wild & Scenic River Act & System.
Your immediate support will:
Allow us to move forward with hiring and onboarding our organization’s 1st designated Volunteer Coordinator, in March 2025, to manage over 300 volunteers who donate over 1,750 hours, on a river system with which can see over 100,000 river users annually.
Begin Phase III of on-the-ground ADA Accessibility River Access improvements. The West Glacier River Access site will be the first site to receive improvements.
Continue critical programs on 219+ miles of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River: River Ambassador (river access site volunteers), River Recreation/Citizen Scientist (floating volunteers), Water Quality Monitoring, & Montana’s only river loan life jacket program.
Coordinate annual Earth Day River Access Cleanup, River Weed Pull Rodeo, & Flathead Waters Cleanup events.
Boost river safety, recreate responsibly, stream ecology, and other watershed-focused education programming and outreach.
Give today to support our work to maintain the health of the Flathead River, as well as to ensure access and enjoyment for all users. We want to acknowledge the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park employees who have recently lost their jobs. From river patrols to trail crews to science technicians, they were an integral part of the management of the river system we all love. Our non-profit organization remains committed to the Three Forks of the Flathead River and needs you more than ever to boost implementation of effective outreach, stewardship, and hydrology work.
Thank you for your continued support!
Thank you,
Sheena Pate
Executive Director
Flathead Rivers Alliance
You can also mail checks to:
Flathead Rivers Alliance
PO Box 1906
Whitefish, MT 59937
Questions about donating or have a specific program/project you would like to support? Please contact Carolan Coughlin, FRA Development Coordinator at carolan@flatheadrivers.org.
2025 Business Partners
By becoming a business sponsor, you demonstrate the value in supporting and enhancing the outstanding and remarkable 219-mile three forks of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River by supporting Flathead Rivers Alliance’s projects, such as volunteer stewardship activities, community education and outreach, hydrology work and ensuring access for all.
If you’re part of a business who is interested in safeguarding the future of the Flathead River system, please contact Carolan at carolan@flatheadrivers.org!
Your tax deductible donation will be support our work to enhance and protect the outstanding and remarkable Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River.
