Flathead Rivers Alliance Celebrates Five Years of Stewardship and Impact
Featured in River Management Society Journal
2025 Vol 38 No 2 (Summer color).pdf
Early May 2025 marked a quiet yet powerful milestone for Flathead Rivers Alliance—five years of official nonprofit operations dedicated to stewarding the health of over 219 miles of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River system.
Founded to promote education, stewardship, and community-driven conservation, Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA) has grown into a key advocate for river health and responsible recreation. In just half a decade, FRA has become the standard-bearer for Wild & Scenic River stewardship—recognized nationally with the Outstanding National Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Award from TEAM RAPIDS, a federal interagency collaborative promoting interdisciplinary planning and river protection.
A Mission Anchored in Community & Conservation
Operating across the Three Forks of the Flathead, FRA’s work is more critical than ever. With rising visitor numbers—over 100,000 users each summer—and shifting federal resource capacity, the Alliance serves a vital role in mobilizing local volunteers, engaging visitors, and partnering with agencies to ensure rivers are respected, protected, and enjoyed responsibly.
Set in the heart of the Crown of the Continent, the Flathead River Basin spans six million acres of forests, farms, and communities. Its Wild & Scenic rivers support native Westslope Cutthroat Trout, harbor deep cultural history with over 10,000 years of human presence, and flow into Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. These rivers are not only an ecological treasure but also the inspiration for the 1968 Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.
Five Years of Measurable Impact
Building on momentum from 2024, FRA celebrated:
80+ stream miles improved
300+ volunteers
1,769+ hours of service
These numbers represent more than data points—they reflect a growing community of river stewards.
Key Programs Fueling the Mission
Flathead Rivers Alliance's work spans education, direct action, and community engagement:
River Ambassador Program
Floating Citizen Scientist & Water Quality Monitoring
Youth Stream Ecology & River Career Awareness
Montana’s Only Permanent River Life Jacket Loaner Stations
ADA Accessibility & Inclusive River Access
Reusable River Cleanup Bag Distribution (4,000+ annually)
Online Trip Planning Hub
Spring River Safety Workshops
River Weed Pull Rodeo
Flathead Waters Cleanups
These initiatives wouldn’t be possible without the backing of local businesses, agencies, tribes, First Nations, and passionate volunteers.
Looking Ahead: 50 Years of Wild & Scenic
As Flathead Rivers Alliance celebrates its fifth year, eyes are already on the horizon: 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River designation. FRA will lead efforts to commemorate this landmark and invite the public to help write the next chapter of river conservation.
Want to get involved? Whether you're looking to volunteer, donate, or learn more about upcoming events and river safety, visit flatheadrivers.org.
Together, we are protecting one of North America’s last great wild river systems—for today, and for future generations.
—
Sheena Pate
Executive Director, Flathead Rivers Alliance
Featured in River Management Society Journal
2025 Vol 38 No 2 (Summer color).pdf
Read the digital edition here: https://ow.ly/gRNn50Wme44
