The staff of WLI reaches citizens in Whitefish and its surrounding communities through our education programs. We work with grades K-12, and offer high school job shadow opportunities, college internships, a scholarship and make presentations to community groups reaching citizens of all ages throughout the community.
Education Programs
K-12 Programs
WLI hosts annual elementary school classes at our Living Wetlands Interpretive Nature Trail in the Averill’s Viking Creek Wetland Preserve. WLI owns and manages the property for water quality, wildlife value, public awareness, and enjoyment. WLI partners with Whitefish High FREEFLOW and the advanced chemistry class for field trips and participation in field studies, and participates in the high school job shadowing program. WLI also works with Whitefish middle school and high school students to create poster presentations using lake data, and provides the opportunity for students to present their work at WLI hosted Science Quenchers.
Science Quencher
WLI hosts Science Quenchers twice a year, once in spring and once in fall. At each quencher guests enjoy 20-minute lightening talks by scientists about topics such as local water quality issues, breakthroughs in new sensor technology, or innovative wildlife research. Guests can also enjoy poster presentations from local Whitefish students showing off their research projects. Light appetizers and drinks are always provided.
Community Group Presentations
Upon request, WLI staff speaks to various civic groups ranging from the Rotary Club to private homeowners associations on regional issues related to lake ecology and the research underway at WLI.
Storm Drain Art and Education Project
Whitefish Lake Institute, the City of Whitefish and Whitefish High School advanced art students worked together to create graphic designs to be painted on storm drains to promote clean water in downtown Whitefish. The project was first started in 2022 and was repeated in 2024 to refresh the murals and the message. This project raises awareness about the connection between storm drains, stormwater runoff, and pollution in our waterways. The storm drain art project reminds residents and visitors to think about what is put into storm drains and how it may impact the water quality and the aquatic ecosystem.
