Community comes together to celebrate Haskill Basin conservation

The Trust for Public Land is bringing together the partners who successfully protected 3,020 acres of land in the Haskill Creek watershed east of Whitefish for a community celebration on July 16. Speakers at the celebration will include the landowner, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company General Manager Chuck Roady, members of the Montana Congressional Delegation, state and federal government officials, and Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld.

The $16.7 million Haskill Basin conservation easement permanently protects the land to support local timber jobs and important fish and wildlife habitat. Thanks to the easement, the land is guaranteed to never be converted to other residential or commercial uses in the future. This deal ensures the Basin will continue to provide the City of Whitefish with the majority of its water supply and with continued opportunities for close-to-home outdoor recreation.  

The easement was transferred in February 2016 by The Trust for Public Land to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the City of Whitefish. Haskill Basin’s recreational open space, pristine water, and forest productivity were protected thanks to the dedicated collaboration of many individuals and organizations. The Trust for Public Land waited until summer to host this celebration, so locals and visitors alike could experience the majesty of the pristine land they saved. 

The July 16th celebration will take place at Depot Park in Whitefish from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m 

For more information, contact Dick Dolan, (406) 522-6246, Dick.Dolan@tpl.org.