WLI owns and manages 28.82 acres of important water-cleansing wetlands and wildlife habitat, protecting it from development and enhancing Whitefish’s outdoor amenities. The Preserve was gifted to WLI by the Dan Averill family in 2009 as part of the Viking Creek Development proposal.
Averill’s Viking Creek Wetland Preserve
Trail Guide
A series of artistic and informative trail signs were designed to highlight interesting natural features along the trail and increase visitors’ knowledge of wetland ecology. The interpretive signs and companion Trail Guide create and encourage sustainable visitor interaction while educating visitors about the specific functions of this wetland in the Whitefish Lake Watershed.
Bird Guide
The Flathead Audubon Society assisted us in developing a guide to the bird species that have been identified by sight, song, or sound in the Averill’s Viking Creek Wetland Preserve. There are full color photos of identified species and a checklist to help you and WLI keep track of sightings.
The primary function of this wetland is water quality buffering and wildlife habitat. Since Viking Creek—one of Whitefish Lake’s six tributaries—and the groundwater of the area drain directly into the lake, water quality buffering is vitally important. The property is bordered on the north and east by the 215-acre Battin Nature Conservancy Easement, affording a large contiguous habitat for wildlife in the urban/wildland interface. This publicly accessible Preserve is an excellent example of how citizens and developers worked together to protect the health of the watershed, provided open space in the wildland/urban interface, and allows for economic growth in the community.
WLI opened the Living Wetlands Interpretive Nature Trail in the Averill’s Viking Creek Wetland Preserve in 2013. Our goal in developing this trail and making it available to the public, is to share the history, science, and beauty of the wetland, and to provide a glimpse into the lives of local wildlife. The trail offers the closest outdoor natural experience for Whitefish citizens and visitors, extends natural resource education offerings, and enables connectivity to the City of Whitefish bike and pedestrian Path, Crestwood Park, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and the Viking Creek subdivision.
Trailheads
The main trailhead is located on the east side of Wisconsin Avenue, just south of The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Satellite trailheads are located at Crestwood Park and behind the Viking Lodge. This wheelchair and stroller friendly trail crosses Viking Creek over three bridges and rises above wetter areas over four wooden boardwalks. There are 14 interpretive stations pointing out natural features of the wetland, and a companion Trail Guide with map that further expands on the interpretation. Six beautifully handcrafted benches are strategically placed along the trail. Each bench was purchased by a community member who dedicated their bench in honor of, or in memory of someone special.
An Outdoor Classroom
In addition to hosting daily visitors, WLI also conducts offerings for school classroom visits and provides senior learning programs at the trail. If you have a group of 10 or more and would like an interpretive tour led by WLI staff, please submit your request to info@whitefishlake.org.
Photos from our trail cameras in the preserve
