Volunteers sought for Flathead Waters Cleanup

Those who spend time on local lakes and rivers are encouraged to put some muscle into cleaning them up during the annual Flathead Waters Cleanup Event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 10.

Will your efforts make a difference? To date the annual cleanup effort has engaged 534 volunteers, removed 9,770 pounds of trash and improved 330 miles of river banks and lakeshore.  

The event is organized by the Flathead Conservation District, Lake County Conservation District, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department, Flathead Rivers Alliance, Flathead Lakers and the Western Montana Conservation Commission.

Volunteers can sign up as individuals, or in teams, small groups or as families to clean up trash in and around any river, lake, creek or pond. When they register, participants can select their favorite area to clean up through an interactive mapping feature on the event website, tinyurl.com/flatheadcleanup. 

Those who are cleaning up on tribal lands and are not members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes need conservation permits, and should be familiar with lands on the reservation that are only accessible to tribal members.    

Prizes from event sponsors will be given to those who collect the most trash, find the most unique item or submit the best photo, and for other prize categories. A dumpster will be set up at the CSKT Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation office at 406 6th Ave. E. in Polson for those who don’t want their trash collections weighed for prizes.  

Sacred Waters Brewing in Kalispell hosts a celebratory party and prize giveaway from 4-8 p.m. Prizes include half-day raft trips, donated by Great Northern Raft and Resort and Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co.; a backpack, water bottle and multi towel from REI; and an array of other outdoor gear and garb.

To be eligible for prizes, all volunteers must register prior to the event. For more information on the cleanup in Polson and surrounding areas contact Caroline McClung at Lake County Conservation District, caroline-mcclung@macdnet.org, 406- 676-2811 ext. 102.