Flathead Lake Biological Station celebrates 125 years

The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station is 125 years old this year and is holding a free FLBS125 anniversary open house celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on  Friday, Aug. 2.  

Visitors can explore the FLBS campus in Yellow Bay, meet the team, and learn about the Flathead Watershed and the bio station’s cutting-edge, world-renowned research and immersive education programs. Programming will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome presentation featuring past and current biological station directors.   

Throughout the event, the biological station’s 125 years of research, monitoring, and education will be on full display. Science exhibits will provide hands-on learning activities for kids of all ages; information about Flathead Lake and its watershed; close-up encounters with stream, pond, and lake creatures; updates from experts on the front lines of aquatic invasive species prevention; a sneak peek at cutting-edge drone and GIS mapping research; and more.  

Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy boat tours aboard the Jessie B, the bio station’s 30-foot research vessel, special appearances by the University of Montana’s beloved mascot Monte, live music, and free food for attendees.  

Additional program highlights include a special presentation by former biological station director Jack Stanford at 1:30 p.m. and the annual State of the Lake presentation by current biological station director Jim Elser at 2:30 p.m. There will also be a family-friendly scavenger hunt that kids can complete for special prizes.   

Special guests will also be in attendance, including Summer Open AIR Artist-in-Residence Vera Ting, local author and historian Butch Larcombe, local underwater photographer Kyren Zimmerman, the aquatic invasive species-detecting dogs of Montana Black Dog Services, and others.   

Food vendors will be offering free food at the celebration and biological station-themed refreshments will be provided.  

Research boat tours are scheduled at 12:30 p.m., 1:10 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 2:55 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. There are 20 seats available per tour, and free tickets are at the welcome table.  

Mussel-sniffing dog demonstrations take place every half hour. Walking tours will be available.   

The biological station is located 17.5 miles north of Polson and 14 miles south of Bigfork along Montana 35, on the east shore of Flathead Lake, just north of the Yellow Bay State Park. For more information, or to see a complete schedule of events, visit flbs.umt.edu or call 406-872-4500.