WLI Happenings
Great Fish Community Challenge
This Whitefish Community Foundation’s annual charitable giving campaign – the Great Fish Community Challenge –maximizes donations to participating nonprofits. WLI is proud to be a participant in the Challenge. The Whitefish Community Foundation awards an additional percentage matching grant from its own Great Fish Fund to nonprofits that raise a specified amount during the Challenge. The match percentage varies annually, but all gifts make an even greater impact when combined with the matching grant. The Great Fish Community Challenge benefits nonprofits by promoting mission awareness and inspiring community involvement. Thank you for your support in the 2023 campaign!
Science Quencher
WLI’s “Science Quenchers” are a set of small events aimed at engaging community members in science and conservation issues. The events are fun gatherings of smart, interesting people with a desire to learn something new. Presentations include a handful of “lightening round” style talks from local Flathead Watershed experts, during which time complimentary appetizers, beer, and wine are served. The events have been standing-room-only successes, each offering a variety of perspectives, generally including a local author. Science Quenchers are held three times a year on a Friday in January, April, and October at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Our next Science Quencher will be in October 18 2023. Learn more about the speakers here.
Study: Economic Benefits of Whitefish and Flathead Lakes
Researchers from the Flathead Lake Biological Station and Whitefish Lake Institute announced the results of their study estimating the benefits that Flathead Lake and Whitefish Lake impart on home values. Results suggest that highly desirable lakes like Flathead and Whitefish Lakes enhance surrounding property values thereby contributing significantly to the local tax base and economy of both lake-based communities. The effect of Flathead Lake on surrounding lakefront parcels equaled $12 to $17 million in property tax revenues, while Whitefish Lake generated $5 to $8 million. This is important because in the state of Montana, over 94% of local government and school district tax collections are derived from property taxes. These study results provide us with an economic argument in communicating the significance of maintaining water quality and of our work. Read the entire report or a one-page summary.
Montana Lakes Conference
The Montana Lakes Conference gathers diverse resource professionals to exchange information, scientific advancements, and management strategies that promote clean and healthy lake and reservoir ecosystems. Participants from academic, nonprofit, government, business organizations, and the public gather to learn about improving the health of Montana’s lakes through science and monitoring advances, watershed restoration practices, policy innovation, and collaborative stakeholder involvement. Join us on the shores of Whitefish Lake to celebrate Montana’s lakes, to exchange knowledge, ideas and experiences, and to introduce new approaches to help manage and protect our lakes. Immerse yourself in innovative, practical, and applied lake management techniques and current research. In addition to the formal program, networking opportunities will allow attendees with varied experiences to collaborate on important lake management issues.
October 18-20, 2023
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake