The Glacier Institute has been voted as a winner in the Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” program,

The Institute will receive $20,000 to teach students about alternative energy concepts and install solar and wind systems at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, a historic former Forest Service ranger station in the North Fork of the Flathead.

The Institute will working with Sunelco Inc. for the “Alternative Energy Surrounds Us!” project.

The project will add a solar- and wind-powered demonstration system and a battery bank to Big Creek’s energy system and create a curriculum to share alternative energy concepts to youths and adults participating in Glacier Institute courses. 

“Our goal was to provide education and practice ways to conserve and better sustain the natural resources found in this relatively undisturbed mountain environment in and around Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest,” Glacier Institute Executive Director Joyce Baltz said in a press release.

“The public clearly loved the project and voted for it. We are thrilled to have won this nationwide promotion and to bring the gift of $20,000 to our youth programs.”

Online voting determined six winning organizations that will share $150,000 from Tom’s of Maine.

The Glacier Institute will now begin planning for the project to unfold and encourages everyone to follow the organization on Facebook at facebook.com/glacrinstitute. For more information and opportunities to volunteer, call 755-1211.

The Glacier Institute is a longtime partner with Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Flathead Valley Community College, offering family programs, youth camps, Discovery School at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center and adult educational programs.

For 29 years, more than 26,000 Flathead Valley school children have participated in Institute programs. For more information on the Glacier Institute, go to www.glacierinstitute.org or contact Baltz at (406) 755-1211.