With the threat of invasive mussels looming over Flathead Lake, local students took to the beaches last week as part of a program to engage youth in environmental issues.

Searching shorelines from Polson to Blue Bay, students found no sign of the aquatic invaders, however they demonstrated a principle that officials say will play a large role in future sustainability efforts.

Mike Durglo, head of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Environmental Protection Division and founder of the tribe’s Environmental Advocates for Global Logical Ecological Sustainability, or EAGLES, Program, said activities like mussel walks help inspire future generations to pursue careers in natural resources.

“It seems like a lot of kids go to college, get degrees and end up working in fields that don’t pertains to their degrees,” he said. “We’re trying to get them engaged ahead of time.”

Before Monday’s mussel search, a recycling program started under the EAGLES initiative earned Arlee and St. Ignatius schools an award from Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney.

The program is just one of many sustainability-themed efforts launched by the EAGLES since the group was formed about a year and a half ago. Other activities include constructing hydroponic and aquaponic gardens in local schools.

Born out of the tribe’s Climate Change Strategic Plan, Durglo said he and his brother Jim envisioned EAGLES as a way to expose youth to the dynamic field of natural resource conservation.

Durglo said a key to the program’s success so far has been partnerships developed between local teachers and educators.

“We really got more momentum this year in bringing on more schools,” he said.

Durglo said the program has also created a buzz outside the Mission Valley as well.

“I have schools from all over the country calling,” he said.

Durglo said he’s currently planning to host a regional EAGLES summit, and eventually hopes to adapt the program on a national and international scale. Durglo said he also plans on including the annual mussel walk in this effort, and expand the event to include schools from the north side of Flathead Lake.

Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney praised this ambitious spirit while presenting the recycling awards on Monday.

“We hope this is the beginning and it starts to build,” he said.