Conservation deal protects habitat in Swan Valley

A wildlife landscape previously threatened by potential development in Northwest Montana is now in the public’s hands.

The property lies within the popular Holland Lake recreational area of the southern Swan Valley. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a local landowner and the Forest Service worked on the conservation project.

“We appreciate the landowners for recognizing the wildlife values of the land and reaching out to us to help conserve it,” Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer, said in a press release.

According to the Elk Foundation, the 640-acre parcel offers summer and winter habitat for elk and whitetail deer. It is also provides habitat for grizzly bears, Canada lynx and other wildlife. Additionally, it contains riparian habitat via springs and a chain of wetland ponds that feed a tributary of Holland Creek.

Located about 65 miles north of Missoula, the property lies west of the Swan Mountains and is between the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the east and Mission Mountain Wilderness to the west.

It was previously an inholding within the Flathead National Forest, but it now falls under the ownership of the Forest Service.

”This acquisition will improve public land access, and help to preserve the recreation setting and valuable wildlife habitat in the popular Holland Lake area,” said Rich Kehr, Swan Lake district ranger.

The Holland Lake project is one of the first to receive 2017 funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.