Greetings!
THANK YOU to all Great Fish Challenge donors, the Whitefish Community Foundation, and all WT Legacy Run participants for a busy and successful fall season for our local trail and protected lands. Join us tomorrow for the Beaver Lake Grand Opening and after-celebration at Great Northern Brewing Company, and read about the latest trail conditions below.
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THANK YOU 2019 Great Fish Donors!
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The 2019 Great Fish Community Challenge was a HUGE success for Whitefish Legacy Partners, the Whitefish Community Foundation, and all 53 participating non-profit organizations. The community raised a record
$2,824,355 in support of our amazing local non-profits.
This year, 260 donors gave $91,465 to support new trail construction at Smith Lake, outdoor education programs, important Whitefish Trail maintenance work, and 800 acres of conservation planning at Smith Lake. Additionally, YOUR donations were matched by $9,800 from the Whitefish Community Foundation. Finally, WLP was awarded the Russ and Mary Jane Street Community Service Award for our efforts to permanently protect the lands around Smith Lake for wildlife habitat, water quality, sustainable timber management, and public access on the Whitefish Trail. Thank you! We deeply appreciate your ongoing commitment to our work.
Photo Credit: Whitefish Pilot
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2019 Whitefish Trail Legacy Run - Success!
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The weekend of running events on the Whitefish Trail was a success for our local trail and protected lands. The weather came in like a lion and and ended with a perfect fall day on our local lands. The inaugural 50k experienced the gamut of conditions with rain at low elevations, blizzard conditions at Big Mountain, and sunny skies at Depot Park at the finish. Sunday's Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, and family-fun run couldn't have asked for a sunnier fall day in Beaver Lakes. We would like to thank all 484 registrants, our sponsors, and the army of volunteers for for making the Legacy Run event possible.
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WT Skyles Reroute Dig Night
Thursday, October 24 @ 5:30-6:45pm
Skyles Trailhead
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Help complete a reroute of the Whitefish Trail at Skyles! The trail is being rerouted at the Two Bear Road crossing to provide better lines of sight for trail users and vehicles, and to bypass an increasingly tricky area of exposed bedrock. We will be finishing construction of the new section of trail and need your help! Tools and protective equipment will be provided (though feel free to bring your own work gloves). Wear sturdy closed toed shoes.
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It literally takes a village to keep WLP and the Whitefish Trail thriving.
Do your part today!
Be a WT Friend or Family this year and make an investment in the future of our local lands.
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Beaver Lake Grand Opening and WLP Pint Night!
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Beaver Lake Trail & Lakeshore Grand Opening
Thursday, Oct. 17 @ 4:30 pm
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Join WLP and project partners to celebrate completion of 1-mile new trail and improvements at Beaver Lake. Improved pedestrian lake access, trail connectivity, trail kiosk, and a scenic viewing platform are just a few of the new amenities. This project was funded by the Montana Recreation Trails Program, REI Kalispell, volunteer support, and a generous donation by Paul and Wendy Faganel.
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Great Northern Brewing Co. Pints with
Purpose
Thursday, Oct. 17 5:00 pm-close
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After the Beaver Lake Grand Opening, head to Great Northern Brewing Company to celebrate another awesome year recreating on our local open lands. $1 from every pint sold will be donated back to the Whitefish Trail and our local protected lands. We'll have project maps on hand and would love to talk to you about our next exciting project at Smith Lake. We'll see you there to raise a glass for the trail!
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Whitefish Trail Annual Public Meeting
Tuesday, October 22 @ 5:30pm
WLP Office 525 Railway, suite 206
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Join Whitefish Legacy Partners, the City of Whitefish, and Montana DNRC for the 2019 Annual Whitefish Trail Public Meeting. Have you enjoyed the Whitefish Trail this past year? Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Now is your chance to voice an opinion about the project, issues, or current management in 2019. If you cannot attend the meeting, please submit comments to cbelski@cityofwhitefish.org
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Mid October Trail Report
By Alan Myers-Davis, WLP Director of Development
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It's time to get OUTSIDE! With winter knocking on our door, those perfect autumn days on the Whitefish Trail are numbered. These periodic fall showers have been great for trail conditions, and all of the trees from the last wind storm have been cleared. Let us know if you see any more downfall, and we'll get to them before tucking the trail up for winter.
Lately, I have resumed early morning runs to the Skyles Lake Overlook at Lion Mountain. I have been there countless times, but every morning is incredibly special and unique. There is a saying that you cannot stand in the same river twice, and I feel the same is true with a trail. The pre-dawn solitude and golden sunrises create new and cherished experiences close to home. Fall is especially a time of drastic change with colors transitioning seemingly overnight. Whether whitetail deer are my only companions, I spot a larch bursting with color, or the weather rolls in, you never know what you'll discover on the Whitefish Trail.
Construction at Beaver Lake is almost finished, the reroute at Two Bear Road is also nearing completion, and we are excited to install a new bench near Smith Lake this fall. These projects are made possible by YOUR donations and volunteer time, and we hope you enjoy the improvements and new public amenities on the Whitefish Trail. It's been another busy season of new construction and maintenance work, and we truly appreciate your continued support of conservation, education, and recreation in our community.
Our 2019 education programs ended last weekend with a busy Wild Mushroom Hike at Woods Lake. Over 100 foragers came out to search for fungi and found a record number of mushrooms. Local expert Dale Johnson provided insight, pro-tips, and helpful identification. Thanks Dale for another great foray!
Photos Left to Right: @hartandcol, @marc_obrien, @thewhitefishtrail
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Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors
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The Whitefish Trail relies on the generosity of trail users, conservation-minded supporters, and local businesses to create a year-round, sustainable asset for future generations.
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Whitefish Therapy & Sport Center has been title sponsor of the Whitefish Trail Legacy Run for SIX years in a row! They want to support a local project that brings so much value to our community and to their business. Whether you need rehab from an injury or surgery or want advice on body mechanics, consider Whitefish Therapy & Sport Center. They'll get you back enjoying the Whitefish Trail in no time.
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River Design Group is a Founding Sponsor of the Whitefish Trail. That means they have been supporting the project since the beginning AND have made a long-term pledge to support our work into the future. They realize the Whitefish Trail makes our community a better place to live + play. Their expertise and science-based knowledge lead the field of ecosystem and river restoration across MT and region.
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Please spread the word about the Whitefish Trail and Whitefish Legacy Partners by liking and sharing us today!
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