The Montana Lakes Conference is hosted by the Whitefish Lake Institute every four years to gather lake scientists, agency staff, academicians, businesses, and NGO’s in order to present the most recent lake research and policy findings and to forge solutions to current lake and watershed challenges. Building on the success of conferences in 2019 and 2023 the next conference will be in 2027.
Past MLC Conferences
2023 Montana Lakes Conference
The theme for the 2023 Montana Lakes Conference was “Montana Lakes at Risk; Challenges and Opportunities.” 130 participants from academia, nonprofit, government, CSKT, businesses, and the public gathered to discuss improving Montana’s lake health through science, monitoring, watershed restoration, policy, and innovation. The conference keynote was given by Andrew Sansom: “Tales of a Life on the Green Highway.” Sessions were given on nutrients, contaminants, Mountain and Alpine lakes, managing native fish, ecosystem resilience, lake associations and citizen science with panel discussion covering AIS and Septic issues. A youth poster session highlighted the work of 12 Whitefish middle School students who fielded questions from top University and FLBS scientists. A preconference Workshop on “Water Conflict Management & Transformation” was given by mediation experts from FourWorlds.org. We received excellent ratings from attendees and most attendees said they could not wait another 4 years for the next Montana Lakes Conference.
2019 Inaugural Montana Lakes Conference
The inaugural Montana Lakes Conference was held March 13-15, 2019 at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. The conference was attended by 160 individuals, 30 speakers, and 12 exhibitors. The conference keynote was given by Edward Cameron discussing “A Just and Sustainable World: Building Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient And Inclusive Economies.” Sessions included topics on lake management, lake research, water protection, AIS, water policy, and a panel on septic issues – the good, the bad, and the ugly. A preconference workshop on “Lake Ecology 101,” was presented by WLI staff at the Performing Arts Center. WLI was thrilled to receive kudos from speakers, attending scientists, educators, and community members. WLI wasthrilled to receive kudos from speakers, attending scientists, educators, and community members.
