KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking volunteers for a volunteer work project on the Wild Horse Island Unit of Flathead Lake State Park.

National Public Lands Day is Sept. 28 and recognizes volunteer efforts that steward public lands. As part of that celebration, FWP is organizing a forest project on Wild Horse Island that day. Volunteers will work with FWP staff to thin out trees with hand tools.

Wild Horse Island is a unique park unit with a rich cultural and natural history. The Ponderosa Pine grove on the island is a vital habitat for wildlife. In its current state, Douglas Firs are competing with the Ponderosas for space, water and sunlight, stunting the growth of the latter. The work project will thin out Douglas Firs via manual removal using hand tools.

Attendance is free and FWP will be supplying transportation to the island, tools, extra water and snacks.

Space is limited to 20 volunteers. To sign up, call the Wayfarers Ranger Station at 406-837-3041 and give your name, phone number and email, and number of participants in your group (no more than 5 per group). If staff is unavailable, leave a voicemail with your interest in attending and contact info listed above.

Participants will meet at the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park at 10 a.m. and return around 3 p.m.

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• The island has very limited amenities, including one vault latrine toilet that’s a short walk from the base of the cove we will arrive at. Cell service will be limited as well, but organizers will have emergency response devices on hand.
• Volunteers will need: Sturdy closed toed shoes, long pants, weather appropriate clothing, plenty of water, and snacks or a pack lunch. Snacks will be provided.
• Be prepared to hike 2-3 miles.

Learn more about Montana state parks at https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks.

Flathead Lake State Park hosting guided hikes

KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting guided hikes at the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park in Bigfork.

These hikes will be Sept. 21, Sept. 28, and Oct. 5 and feature an introduction to how the forest recycles nutrients by decomposing various dead organisms. Each hike will be about one mile in length. Please bring weather-appropriate clothing, proper footwear, snacks, and a water bottle. These hikes are limited to 20 people and registration can be done by calling the Ranger Station at 406-837-3041 ext. 0. The cost is $4 per participant, and free for kids 12 and under.

For more information, call the park visitor center at (406) 837-3041 ext. 0.