Collaborative Foys to Blacktail Community Forest Project launched

Flathead Land Trust, Foys to Blacktail Trails and partners announce the official launch of the Foys to Blacktail Community Forest Project. This landmark conservation initiative successfully completed its first goal with Flathead Land Trust’s purchase of a 1,131-acre property from the Griffith Family Foundation.  

Located just five miles from Kalispell, the property lies directly south of Flathead County’s popular 440-acre Herron Park. By securing this front-country landscape, which is at high risk of development, this project protects vital wildlife habitat and connectivity while significantly expanding recreational access for the community and future generations.  

“We are proud to play a significant role in the realization of what has been a community dream for decades,” said Flathead Land Trust Executive Director Paul Travis. “By securing this critical property, we are now able to protect it from future development and provide permanent conservation so that the public will always be able to enjoy its trails, open scenery, and important wildlife habitat.” 

The forested property encompasses 12 miles of existing forest roads and trails, including 3.5 miles of existing ridgetop trail, a key segment of the Foys to Blacktail Trail. This trail segment links Herron Park to Blacktail Mountain via 13.5 miles of trail for non-motorized use.  

“Trust for Public Land is proud to have played a critical role to ensure lasting conservation and public access for the Kalispell community and the greater Flathead Valley,” said David Weinstein, Northern Rockies Director at Trust for Public Land. “We are grateful to the community and our partners in the region, who continue to work hard to keep outdoor spaces like this open, protected, and accessible.”  

The easement will permanently protect the land’s scenic open space, intact wildlife habitat, and conservation values. Under the terms of the conservation easement, housing or commercial development will be prohibited, and the property will secure perpetual public access for noncommercial outdoor recreation.  

The purchase was made possible by the generosity and vision of eleven individual donors who recognized the importance of protecting this landscape. Whitefish Community Foundation served as the project’s philanthropic advisor, working closely with each donor to quickly aggregate funding and secure the land until Forest Legacy Program funding is finalized.  

Flathead Land Trust and Foys to Blacktail Trails are launching a joint public fundraising campaign to raise $350,000. To contribute to the campaign visit flatheadlandtrust.org or foystoblacktailtrails.org.  

Partners are planning a community celebration at Foys Community Center at Herron Park on Friday evening, May 1. This gathering will serve as a centerpiece for the ongoing campaign, bringing supporters together to celebrate our progress and the future of the project. For more information visit flatheadlandtrust.org or foystoblacktailtrails.org. 

    Map of Foys to Blacktail Community Forest Projec.t