Wilderness Speaker Series 2026 wades into the topic of rivers

The Wilderness Speaker Series returns this winter to deepen the well of knowledge on the featured topic — rivers. 

Presented by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Northwest Montana Lookout Association, Flathead-Kootenai Chapter of Wild Montana, with support from the Flathead Valley Community College Natural Resources Conservation and Management program, the series seeks to raise awareness and discussion on important topics in the natural world. 

The free series kicks off Feb. 10 with speaker Rachel Schmidt of American Rivers. Schmidt works with broad stakeholders, government agencies and tribal nations to expand river restoration efforts in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. She will discuss the history and significance of rivers in relation to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. 

On March 10, speakers Leo Rosenthal of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Sheena Pate, executive director of Flathead Rivers Alliance, team up to explore the science, stewardship and stories shaping the Flathead River system. Rosenthal will share insights into native trout trends and watershed monitoring across the three forks of the Flathead River, followed by Pate, who will highlight collaborative conservation efforts and current threats. 

On Tuesday, April 14, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist Franz Ingelfinger will explore findings from ongoing elk studies in the South Fork of the Flathead River. Elk in the South Fork have been a topic of interest for generations, and current populations are at lows not seen in almost a century. Ingelfinger will dive into what’s really going on with habitat, predators, and wildfire effects on local elk herds. 

Each presentation will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the large community room, No. 139, in the Arts and Technology building at FVCC, 745 Grandview Dr., Kalispell. 

For more information, visit bmwf.org. 

    Leo Rosenthal of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
  

    Sheena Pate, executive director of Flathead Rivers Alliance
  

    Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist Franz Ingelfinger