A neighbor’s guide to living responsibly in the Flathead.
Welcome neighbor!
Western Montana is blessed with beautiful mountains, clean lakes and rivers, rich valleys, farms, forests, abundant fish and wildlife, and deep dark skies that awaken our sense of wonder, sustain our livelihood, and bring people from all around the world to enjoy the outdoors.
The Flathead Valley is growing at an extraordinary pace, as people flock to quieter areas, a slower pace of life, and Northwest Montana’s unparalleled natural heritage. Declining water quality, increasing human-wildlife conflicts, and the spread of invasive species, are a few of the symptoms of our impact.
Whether you are a new resident, a long-time landowner, or a visitor, this Guide is an introduction and an invitation to responsible land and water stewardship. The 20+ contributors to Living in the Flathead compiled this Guide to help you navigate the realities of living here and offer ways we can embrace to live in harmony with wildlife, recreate safely and responsibly, and support local communities.
We invite you to learn more about each of the topics in this Guide and the organizations, government agencies, and education institutions that work to support these efforts.
PROTECTING THE LAND, WATER, AND PLACES WE LOVE TOGETHER.
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Living on the Land
Living in rural Montana is a unique pleasure and experience. Our actions on the land have a rippling effect.
Learn simple practices you can do to live in balance with our spectacular Montana lands.
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Living with Fire
No matter where you live in Montana, the land that you call home burned and will burn at some point.
Learn how to live with fire and protect your family and property.
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Living by Water
The Flathead boasts beautiful clean lakes and rivers, which gives us drinking water and supports our local economy.
Learn how you can protect our greatest natural resource… fresh, clean water.
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Living with Wildlife
Living with wildlife is a special treasure. Landowners can support wildlife, and minimize conflicts.
Learn how to coexist with our native wildlife and enjoy it.
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Living Locally
Whether you are a resident or a visitor, learn what it takes to keep Montana wild, beautiful and pristine, enjoy the outdoors safely, and support local communities.
Learn about Local Food, Safe and Responsible Recreation, how to Keep our Starry Skies, Local Recycling and Composting, planning for power outages and staying safe during extreme weather conditions, such as heat, and smoke.
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Take Action
Join a tour, workshop, or class to learn more about our beautiful surroundings and actions you can take individually, or volunteer with a local group to take actions with neighbors and friends.