Whitefi sh Legacy Partners • P.O. Box 1895 • Whitefi sh, MT 59937 • 406-862-3880 • www.whitefi shlegacy.org

CELEBRATING CONSERVATIONPlaces Worth Protecting

Whitefi sh Legacy Partner’s ‘Places Worth Protecting’ program involves multiple initiatives to pursue conservation projects, off er education programs, and grow the Whitefi sh Trail to connect our community to places worth protecting.

1,520 Acres in Beaver Lakes Protected Forever The completion of the Beaver Lakes initiative fi nalized the Public Recreation Use Easement creating permanent conservation areas and providing the public a developed recreation system. The easement protects viewsheds, prime wildlife habitat and the clean water of Whitefi sh Lake while also providing permanent public access, no threat of development, quality recreation, and continued forest management by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

The purchase of this easement required broad support and clearly shows we hold the preservation and access to open lands surrounding our community in high regard. A signifi cant portion of the project was funded by philanthropist Michael Goguen with the remaining $2M raised by the community. With the help of a Major Challenge Grant from the Whitefi sh With the help of a Major Challenge Grant from the Whitefi sh Community Foundation, a “Mystery Donor,” and a broad base of supporters, WLP was able to complete the purchase in Community Foundation, a “Mystery Donor,” and a broad base of supporters, WLP was able to complete the purchase in December 2014. December 2014. Thank you to the many donors and volunteers who worked over the past three years to make this project a huge success and an incredible community asset for today and future generations!

Whitefi sh Neighborhood Plan Extended to 2024WLP joined the City of Whitefi sh this fall to celebrate the successful completion of the fi rst ten years of the Whitefi sh Neighborhood Plan. In the last ten years, recreation and conservation eff orts have perma-nently protected 3,000+ acres and generated over $12 million dollars in gross revenue for the schools and universities of Montana. The Whitefi sh Neighborhood Plan and the Beaver Lakes Easement have proven to be a home run for Whitefi sh and Montana. What we have accomplished in our community is an example of an innovative solution that can be utilized statewide.

“We are thrilled by the support from the community for conservation of lands surrounding Whitefi sh, and are greatly indebted to all of the people who have supported this acquisition.” Fred Jones, Past Board Chair

Fairyslipper photo by Devvi Morgan

Beaver Lakes Protected Forever!William and Olga AdamsAGL FoundationLin and Kathy AkeyRob and Kim AkeyLouise AlbershardtAlderson Family FoundationSeth AlwardJohn and Shani AndersonNan and Turner AskewRichard and Carol AtkinsonSummerfi eld and Julie BaldridgeDuane and Valerie BauchEdward and Shellie BaurCarla BelskiRon Bernhardson and Shelly Mack Konrad BinderCameron Blake and Sandy GrayCarol and Wayne BlakeRobert and Beverly BraigScott and Barb BrantLuther and Dorothy CampbellDr. Paul and Penny CarpenterJohn ChaneyKaren and Nick ChickeringTerry Chute and Jane Kollmeyer John and Anne CollinsPaul Conrad and Ellie JohnsonConradi Anderson PLLCDiane Conradi and Steve BraunSandra ConradiCopper Mountain FarmsJoe and Jill Courtney Mark and Constance CowettBruce DeitzDave and Francis DittmanDiana TagueMark and Lynnette DonaldsonNell DoyleScott and Phyllis FairAndrew and Terry FeuryFirst Interstate BankRhonda and Mike Fitzgerald

Sean and Diana FramptonRon and Janie FrazarMarshall and Kathy FriedmanMike and Patricia FrostRich and Glenda GehriGlacier BankGlacier CyclerySteven GnamSallie and Alan GratchGravity ShotsJoe and Cindy GregoryCharles and Teresa Grenier Barbara Gutschenritter and Tom CaughlanCourtney Gwiazdon and Matt Van VlackMike and Linda GwiazdonWilliam and Judith HalamaRichard HardingTom and Stephanne Sue HardingMaureen HeinJames and Catherine HeitelMolly and Bill HobgoodBill and Norma Jean HowardMatthew HoyneLeslie and Will HuntPaul and Mary IannielloIla B. Dousman Fund, Inc.Michele IrelanCharles and Marlyn JamesMike and Barb JensonPat and Bob JepsenPaul and Ann JeremiassenDr. Jon and Diane JohnsonErika JohnsonFred and Sarah JonesMike and Jill JonesBrian, Mariah and Kasper JoosMike Jopek and Pam GerweMolly Miller and Mark Jungerman

The Kenlou Foundation Doug and Carolyn KohrsJohn KramerKramer Family FundKrumholz FundJohn and Dana LaceyPat LaTourelleBrian Lavergne and Christine TatesonSue and Ed LieserL.J. Communications, Inc. George Losleben and Connie JohnsonRuth and Bret LuedkeSteve Lull and Meg Wolfe Patrick and Connie MaloneJulie MarlettoCurt and Janet McIntyreJerry and Rhona MeislikRichard MellonRichard Menicke and Jen AsebrookLaurie and Martin MillerRob MilnthorpMontana Outdoor Legacy Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation FoundationBill and Devvi MorganMayor John Muhlfeld and Stephanie SunshineBrett, Jillian and Annika NailTeresa NarduzziNelson’s ACE Hardware Leif, Gloria, Kess, Benjamin and Josephine NelsonRick and Marilyn NelsonMilt and Marj PerlowRoss and Colleen PickertAl and Natalie PriebeTom and Teresa QuinnDebbie RathbunHank and Susan RicklefsRiver Design Group, Inc.

Rotary Club of Whitefi sh Reid and Kirsten SabinRobert and Karen SaureyWayne Saurey and Marisa Van LawickAl and Sandy SchellingerSchellinger Construction CompanyChristina SchleicherJames and Janna ShennanJohn Shigo and Christina LarsenJames and Mary SloanVirginia SloanBob and Glenda SmithSportsman & Ski HausJim and Lisa Stack Chuck Stearns and Rita BraunDon StolteTim Strand and Sukey Pfi rmanNeil StuberStumptown SnowboardsMark and Nancy SvennungsenSwift Creek CaféJeanne Tallman and Don DuBeauDiana TagueThird Street MarketSteve Thompson and Nancy Woodruff Leo TracyJoana Valentino and Paul MillerJanet Vandermeer Heidi and Mark Van Everen Dan Weinberg and Michelle TafoyaWheelie Creative Design Steven and Ardyce WhislerDaniel WhiteWhitefi sh Community Foundation Major Grant FundRichard and Susan WilliamsDennis and Patricia WinkelDoug and Betty Wise

The Beaver Lakes Easement secures public recreation access, clean water, quality wildlife habitat, and our Whitefi sh Lake viewshed.

Thank you!

Looking Forward...Haskill Basin Forever

What are the benefi ts of protecting this land? • Protecting and preserving the water quality and quantity that provides the primary source of drinking

water for the City’s municipal water system• Providing year-round public access to outdoor recreation lands used for biking, hiking, skiing and hunting• Protecting important habitat for wildlife• Perpetuating sustainable timber management and local jobs • Safeguarding the scenic backdrop of downtown Whitefi sh

Haskill Basin has been treasured by many for years, and the opportunity to recreate on these lands has been allowed as a neighborly accommodation by F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company, the oldest family owned and operated private timber company in Montana. Although many know Haskill Basin for its combination of trails and roads for hiking, hunting, running and skiing, Haskill Basin also serves as the municipal water supply for the City of Whitefi sh and is known for its rich biological diversity and quality wildlife habitat.

The ProjectThe opportunity to permanently protect water quality, wildlife and recre-ation in Haskill Basin is now a possibility. Stoltze is willing to sell a 3,020 acre conservation easement providing the community an incredible opportunity. This permanent conservation easement negotiated by The Trust for Public Land will be held by MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks and will prohibit future development and other community and wildlife benefi ts.

Funding Haskill BasinThe Haskill Basin project was ranked the top priority project by the Forest Legacy Program, with $7 million dollars earmarked for the project. An additional $2 million was awarded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Habitat Conservation Plan, which provides funding for endangered species habitat protection through the Endangered Species Act.

The City of Whitefi sh is committed to funding the remaining $8 million for the purchase of the conser-vation easement. In partnership with the City, we plan to create a trail connecting downtown to Big Mountain with a trailhead easily accessed from Res-ervoir Road. We are excited to establish this vital link and grow the Whitefi sh Trail.

Steven Gnam

Steven Gnam

FOSTERING EDUCATIONWhitefi sh Trail Learning Pavilion

Over 400 people participated in educational activities on the Whitefi sh Trail in 2014 including over 150 students. Participants learned about topics including forestry, fi eld sketching, botany and mushrooms.

We are proud of the growth of our educational programs this year and appreciate the eff orts of WLP Education Specialist Kim Corette and the support from community partners. With support from the Whitefi sh Community Foundation, we are excited to expand educational opportunities in 2015 to include additional school fi eld trips, winter and summer guided hikes, youth activities, an adult speaker series, and trail fi tness programs.

Thank you to our 2014 education partners and volunteers...

In partnership with the Rotary Club of Whitefi sh, sponsors and volun-teers, Phase I of the Whitefi sh Trail Learning Pavilion is complete. The pavilion off ers the community a wonderful outdoor gathering place. Phase II will start Spring 2015 with sign installation and construction of interpretive trails and natural playscapes.

This year we will continue off ering broad-based educational programs, an expanded guided hiking series for adults and children, as well as school fi eld trips focused on natural history, fi tness, physical science, and forestry management.

Grand Opening May 27, 2015

Whitefi sh Trail Learning Pavilion Sponsors Rotary Club of Whitefi sh - In Memory of Bob DePratu

Plum Creek Foundation North Valley Hospital Montana Recreational Trails ProgramMontana Offi ce of Tourism Whitefi sh Community Foundation

Keen Footwear Ila B. Dousman Foundation Applied Materials Foundation

In-kind ContributionsThompson Design and Management Malmquist Construction Montana Creative A2Z Engineering Artisan Con-struction River Design Group Archer Excavating Casazza Brothers, Inc. Schellinger Construction Company

Midway Rental Big Sky Roofi ng Rotary Club of Whitefi sh

City of Whitefi sh Parks and Recreation Applied Materials FoundationMontana Conservation Corps Whitefi sh School DistrictStumptown Art Studio Ravenwood Outdoor Learning CenterFlathead Audubon Montana DNRC

FVCC Professor Miribi McCarthy Counter Assault Whitefi sh Lake Institute The Wave Aquatic and Fitness CenterHouse Representative Ed Lieser Montana Fish, Wildlife and ParksLocal artist Andrea BrewMushroom expert Dale Johnson

GROWING RECREATIONBuilding a Community Asset

To date, the City of Whitefi sh and Whitefi sh Legacy Partners have built over 26 miles of natural-surface trail and 7 trailheads. Locals and visitors have a variety of easy-to-locate and easy-to-navigate recreational opportunities on the Whitefi sh Trail. In 2015 we will expand the trails in Beaver Lakes and add the historic Spencer Mountain to the trail system.

Beaver Lakes 2015WLP received a $75K TIIP grant from the Montana Offi ce of Tourism (MTOT) for 2015 trail construction providing recreational access to Dollar Lake, Little Beaver Lake, and Beaver Lake, trailhead improvements at Dollar Lake, and interpretive trails at the Learning Pavilion. This funding from MTOT shows the Whitefi sh Trail is truly a project of regional signifi cance that provides continued economic development for our community while reinforcing our mission of conservation, recreation and education. Three miles of new trail accessing beautiful lake destinations will open in the Fall 2015.

Spencer Mountain 2015We will piece together an 8-mile single-track connector loop circumnavigating the Spencer Mountain area, including two trailheads and directional signs with support from a Montana Recreational Trail Program grant. The Whitefi sh Trail at Spencer is diff erent than other WT sections as the route utilizes historic trails overlooking the Stillwater River valley. Concurrently the local mountain bike group, Flathead Fat Tires, is improving the adrenaline-fi lled freeride trails adjacent to the WT.

The Spencer Mountain timber sale is in progress and further WT improvements will start after logging is complete. Construc-tion of a new, larger permanent trailhead at Twin Bridges and minor trail reroutes will take place in 2016-17. As the paved bike path expands west, Spencer will enhance the overall value of our community’s recreation assets.

Our Financial Trail...

VolunteersOur Adopt-A-Trail program had an incredible fi rst year with all seven segments adopted. Crews made a three year commitment to annually maintain and patrol their section of trail. Many individuals also contributed time to clear trees, participated in com-munity service days, completed visitor use monitor-ing, supported trail events, assisted with education outings, and maintained trail amenities.

1,300 volunteer hours, $20,000 valueTHANK YOU!

CORPORATE FOUNDERSBuff alo CafeGlacier BankGlacier CycleryNelson’s Ace HardwareSportsman & Ski HausThird Street Market

TITLE SPONSORSDon K SubaruWhitefi sh Therapy and Sport Center

ADOPT-A-TRAIL SPONSORSGreat Northern Cycles Green Peak PromotionsSchellinger Construction Co.The Castor FamilyWhitefi sh Community Foundation

MAJOR EVENT SPONSORSFirst Interstate BankCrush LoungeGreat Northern Bar and Grill Craggy Range Bar and Grill

CORPORATE SPONSORSBulldog Saloon & Grill

Ciao MamboCrestwood Resort Five Star Rentals of MontanaFlathead BeaconGlacier Restaurant Group Great Northern Brewing Co. Grouse Mountain LodgeHidden Moose LodgeLakeshore Rentals Latitude 48L.J. Communications, Inc. MacKenzie River Pizza Co.North Forty Resort Plum Creek Timber CompanyRiver Design Group, Inc. Rocky Mountain TransportationState Farm Insurance Stillwater Mountain LodgeSwift Creek CaféWhitefi sh Animal Hospital Whitefi sh ChiropracticWhitefi sh Mountain Resort

EVENT SPONSORSAmazing CrepesCentral Avenue Bakery and DeliGet A Grip LLCEthos Eco BoutiqueFlathead Beacon

Good Medicine LodgeGreat Northern CyclesHammer NutritionIan’s Healthy TableImagination StationMontana Coff ee Traders Morley CanoesNorth Forty Resort Paddlefi sh SportsPettyjohn’s Water StoreSage and CedarStumptown SnowboardsThe Village ShopTupelo GrilleTwo Dog Wood Fired Pizza Wasabi Sushi Bar & Ginger GrillWheelie Creative DesignWhitefi sh Bike RetreatWhitefi sh Pottery

ADOPT-A-TRAIL CREWSApplied MaterialsEthos Eco BoutiqueRE/MAX of Whitefi shWheelie Creative DesignWhitefi sh Bike Retreat Whitefi sh Lake InstituteWhitefi sh Mountain ResortWhitefi sh Bike Retreat

TRAIL SPONSORSA2Z EngineeringArcher ExcavatingArtisan ConstructionBig Mountain Tree ServiceBig Sky Roofi ngCasazza Brothers, Inc.Counter AssaulltMalmquist ConstructionMidway RentalMontana CreativeRiver Design Group, Inc.Rotary Club Of Whitefi shSchellinger Construction Co.Stillwater Mountain LodgeThompson Design and ManagementWheelie Creative Design

GRANTS AND FOUNDATIONSApplied Materials FoundationCinnabar Foundation Ila B. Dousman Fund, Inc.Kenlou FoundationMontana Recreational Trails ProgramRotary Club of Whitefi shWhitefi sh Community Foundation

Corporate Sponsors 2014Please support these businesses that are committed to conservation, education and recreation in our community:

Whitefi sh Legacy Partners - 2014 Annual Operations

WLP Board of Directors and Staff

Chair: Leslie Hunt Diane Conradi Vice Chair: Mike Jopek Ed Lieser Executive Director: Heidi Van Everen Treasurer: Marilyn Nelson Fred Jones Program Director: Carla Belski Secretary: John Anderson Henry Ricklefs Reid Sabin

Whitefi sh Trail PARTNERS

Roger Barber and Mary VanBuskirkRobert and Rita BishopCameron Blake and Sandy GraySue and Bill CarpenterHelen CatesKaren and Nick ChickeringGail Cleveland and Bruce TannehillDiane Conradi and Steve BraunGordon and Katherine CrossFelicia EnnisDonald and Margaret ForsterHal Frutiger and Debbie RossettoGlacier Medical AssociatesRichard Gordon and Cheryl WatkinsDon Harvell and Ruth WisenerBrian HaycoxRichard and Suzanne HildnerPaul and Mary IannielloMark Jungerman and Molly Miller John KramerJohn and Dana LaceyJack and Paige MacDonaldMark ManceHerb and Carole PeschelJoe and Beverly RaudabaughJohn and Beth RepkeSabine Van LaereRandy Schwickert and Donna TaylorJim and Lisa StackBrian Lavergne Christine TatesonHeidi and Mark Van EverenDan Weinberg and Michelle TafoyaMeggen WilsonAndrew and Linda Zimet

Whitefi sh Trail FAMILIES

Charlie & Susan AbellKoel and Lazette AbellJohn and Shani AndersonShelly Arbuckle

Pam and Joe BarberisDee BlankJames and Virginia BowlandRobert and Jill BurtCharles CampbellShelly CoeIan and Claudia CollinsChris ConnellyPaul Conrad and Ellie JohnsonKim CoretteJimmy and Michaelan DeHerreraRod DeVallSigne and Jerry DeVallTom and Cindy DowningSally EricssonChristine FarringtonCourtney FeldtDave FischlowitzScott and Tracey GerberJudah and Tanya GershSallie and Alan GratchEric and Kari GreenbergJohn and Kathi HartliebMaureen HeinRob ImbeauMichael and Cate JamisonMike and Barb JensonPaul and Ann JeremiassenRichard Stevens and Ellen JohansonJohn and Maureen KingJon and Dee RubrightDavid JosephRodney and Catherine JunoJohn and Lisa KalbfeischBill and Michelle KrippaehneJohn and Dana LaceyLand Inspection ServicesJohn and Kathleen LewisonAl MatarazzoPaul and Janice McCannRichard Menicke and Jen AsebrookJan & Pete MetzmakerLaurie and Martin MillerBill and Devvi MorganBruce and Melinda MorisonJoe MushelRod and Jodie NarkausRick and Marilyn NelsonDavid and Michelle Noft singerRod Olsen

Robert and Marcia O’NeilJohn Opatz and Laurie Hedger-OpatzTerry Orpen and Maureen MacDonaldBen and Jennifer OsburnJo-Ann and Kelly PantelukCaroline PerkinsCarol PetersonJey and Julie PontiMichael and Jael PrezeauBob and Vicki ReichScott SchumakerGary and April SeubertMarla and Van ShawKathy and Jack ShigoJane and George ShryockEric Sjoden and Teri BalaskaGary and Mary SloanWill and Bonnie SmithLester StanleyTed and Lisa SteinerBrian SullivanMark and Nancy SvennungsenJohn and Laurel SwetnamSteve Th ompson and Nancy Woodruff Leo TracyDavid TrousdaleLaurie TurgeonJohn and Kristen VandenburghRegina VingeBenjamin Walker and Jennifer CroninBenjamin WardDaniel WhiteRichard and Susan WilliamsRichard Woodruff

Whitefi sh Trail FRIENDS

William Curtis and Olga AdamsConnie AgnewLin and Kathy AkeyScott and Jennifer AlexanderJeff Anderson and Karen NicolettiVictoria Anfi nsonCarrie and Jim ArchibaldBruce and Joni AronsonCheri and Peter AronssonTed and Durae BelcerCarla BelskiIbrahim and Martha

BisharatRobert and Joann BlairBob and Rebecca Blickenstaff Noah and Erin BodmanSara BoilenScott and Barb BrantHarry and Nancy BrownWilliam and Margaret BurgPaul BurtonLuther and Dorothy CampbellPaul and Penny CarpenterSue and Bill CarpenterSue CarstensAda CasazzaJohn ChaneyMichael MortonMarge and Ed ChianelliClark Real Estate AppraisalCraig ClarkLinda ClarkPaul Coats and Patricia RyanConnie CohenKathy ColucciSandra ConradiPaul CooleyDeidre CorsonJen and Jerry CroskreyChris Crumal and Vicki BersteinMichael and Alana DarlingDoug and Stacy DolanDollar Plus Angel Dominguez and Diana TagueDonald Feldman and Karen BurkeDavid and Jessica DowningRandy and Louise DunlopMarilyn EberlyKyle and Kimberly FedderlyAlan and Joyce FerringtonBill and Maureen FitzpatrickJack FletcherForestoration, Inc.Dan FrankinoJohn and Phyllis GarlitzBob and Melissa GenoveseBayard and Susan GonaverWanda GoodNancy GoodwinMiles and Jan GordonRobert Gordon and Karin HildingRichard Graf

Dianne and Larry GroveBrandon and Colleen GuestKaren GundersonCharlene and Mike GustafsonKaye and Bruce HallerAnna HamLaurin HammondTom and Stephanne Sue HardingDani HarmonMelissa HartmanHelen Hindersman and Hap HaseldenVirginia HillhouseAnita HoRuss and Linda HobbsMolly and Bill HobgoodChris HoltTyler HoppesJim and Penny HornerMary Huff Leslie and Will HuntMartha HuntJerry IngrahamCharles and Marlyn JamesScott and Barbara JanniDiana JenningsDonna Joannes RayLeslie JonesMike Jopek and Pam GerweBob JordanGil Jordan and Kimberly PinterSteve JosephSusan KempMatt KennedyMr. Kent and Lori RauserLaura Kochis and Rod SamdahlMike and Mae KoopalRuth KosmalskiBill LacklandSusan LacostaChris LaidlawPaul LambLandscape Perfections West, Inc.Pat LaTourelleSue and Ed LieserGayle and Donald MacLarenPatrick MadiganJohn and Liz MarchiMarianne MadlerMark Davis and Mary CurtisDavid Marx

Ronald and Sarah MayMary McCarthyMolly C. McCuneCurt McIntyreMeg GodseyMike and Virginia BaldwinBruce MillerNesta MorrisRosella MostellerBob and Terri MuraokaNancy CroninTim Noonan and Sara NelsonRob and Christy O’NeilDrew Paslawsky and Kim SandsMarvin ParkerWilliam and Charlee ParkerDeborah PeroSarah PetersonMike and Sharon PoehlingChristina PolumbusDow Powell and Becky Smith-PowellRobert and Brianna SchuttlerSusan RobinsonSusie Ruff attoChris SandrigEric and Camisha SawtelleToby ScottPatti ScruggsMelissa Segil and Alex JopekRoger and Susan ShermanKathy and Jack ShigoConnie and Paul SilvermanBob and Glenda SmithJoan and Scott SorensenHeidi StammChuck Stearns and Rita Braun Richard SteedPeter SteeleSarah StewartCharlie and Nancy StoneTh e Simple Chef CateringTh e ZaneRay GroupJim Watson and Carol BiblerLawrence and Cindy WhittingtonDavid and Carrie WickAmy & Tim WilliamsDoug and Betty WiseKevin and Mary WitbrodAlison YoungGreg and Norma Zell

Anonymous (6)

2014 Annual Giving - We appreciate your support, year after year!

Whitefi sh Legacy Partners’ community-minded vision is to ensure conservation, recreation and education on the lands around Whitefi sh for future generations. WLP’s work will leave a lasting legacy for our community that will include a 55-mile natural surface loop trail around Whitefi sh Lake and permanent conservation and community stewardship of lands for water quality, wildlife, and recreation access. Our work will focus on the Whitefi sh Lake and Haskill Basin watersheds to provide clean water, open views, and educational and recreational opportunities for the Whitefi sh community.

Thank you! Our most important partner is you.

Whitefi sh Legacy PartnersPO Box 1895Whitefi sh, MT 59937

Give Back in 2015! Leave a Legacy.

Non-Profi tU.S. Postage

PAIDWhitefi sh, MTPermit No. 50

Plates fund the trail year after year!

Whitefi sh Trail License Plates Adopt-A-Trail Program

Adopt a section of the Whitefi sh

Trail as a fi nancial sponsor or volunteer trail crew.

To support Whitefi sh Legacy Partners and the Whitefi sh Trail, please visit www.whitefi shlegacy.org.

The Whitefi sh Trail relies on the generosity of trail users, conservation minded supporters, and local businesses. Enjoy the Whitefi sh Trail,

be a conservation champion and donate today!

Annual Events - Save the Dates!

Whitefi sh Trail HootenannyDepot Park, Friday August 21st

Whitefi sh Legacy RunStillwater Mountain Lodge and Nordic Center

Sunday, October 18th

WT Friends and Families

Renew or pledge your support as a 2015 WT Friend or

Family today!

Annual Community ReportSpring 2015