I am writing to express my gratitude for the local education opportunities offered on the Whitefish Trail. 

On Thursday, May 12, the entire third grade at Muldown Elementary loaded busses and arrived at the Lion Mountain Trailhead for a field trip exploring watersheds and water cycles. After a brief hike to the Whitefish Trail Learning Pavilion, my students came alive with engaged learning, and the outdoor classroom offered the perfect setting to explore nature through hands-on activities.

Whitefish Legacy Partners staff and local volunteers from Flathead Lake Biological Station were outstanding. An interactive demonstration of our seasonal water cycle left the kids giggling with joy during a simulated ‘spring flood.’ A hiking trivia game took students towards the Skyles Overlook as they learned in-depth information about the Whitefish Lake watershed. Finally, the students transformed into water molecules during a simulated journey through plants, lakes, soil, and sky.

As a local teacher, I am excited to see partnerships between valley-wide educators and programs on the Whitefish Trail. Our children can experience outdoor learning on lands close to home from researchers and scientists across the Flathead Valley. The Whitefish Trail was created from a community vision to protect local lands, and I am proud that our local trail system is also being used for outdoor education and community learning.

— Amy Rosenthal is a third grade teacher at Muldown Elementary