WHITEFISH LAKE INSTITUTE

WLI is committed to protecting the Whitefish Lake Watershed aquatic resources—its human, ecological, and economic health. Lakes and streams in the watershed provide the clean, safe water that is fundamental for all human, plant and animal life. Located at the headwaters of the Columbia River Basin, Whitefish Lake water flows through the Whitefish River to Flathead Lake, and eventually enters the Columbia River Basin through which it flows to the Pacific Ocean. The health of our water affects not only our watershed, but also all life downstream. Declining water quality in Whitefish Lake may therefore affect multiple ecosystems and their downstream food webs.

Long-term conservation requires a baseline of scientific, cultural, and historical knowledge of an area; an understanding of its physical, biological, and chemical dynamics; and a program to monitor any changes over time from the baseline. With these elements in place, adaptive management plans are developed and actions implemented. WLI developed that baseline understand through its Whitefish Water Resources Report: A Status of the Whitefish Lake Watershed and Surrounding Area. In that report, WLI identified 64 Watershed Restoration Tasks to improve and maintain water quality in the watershed.

WLI aims to address the tasks that include long-term and emerging water quality issues such as the threat of aquatic invasive species (AIS), and septic leachate from aging septic systems on and near the lake. Changing climate patterns represent a new water quality challenge, with still unknown long-term impacts on human health and ecosystems. WLI will continue to work on behalf of water quality in the Whitefish area through long-term monitoring, baseline research, and the implementation of on-the-ground projects. In addition to its own efforts, WLI works creatively to assemble and participate in partnerships to extend our reach and accomplish our water quality protection and improvement goals.

WLI is a science and education based non-profit corporation serving the Whitefish community through three key program areas, Science, Education, and Aquatic Resource Initiatives. Unlike an advocacy organization, WLI provides scientific data and education programs to help citizens and resource managers make informed decisions about resource management issues. Funded by members, grants, and partnerships with other organizations, WLI is investing in the community of Whitefish's future.

WLI's success to date is attributed in part to the trusted partnerships we have developed with local and statewide resource managers to provide them with quality scientific research and reporting, and to educators for whom we develop multidisciplinary outdoor education programs.

WLI participates on many boards and committees at a local and regional level to further protect aquatic resources. The committees on which WLI serves include; Upper Columbia Conservation Commission, Flathead Basin Commission, Montana Watershed Coordination Council, and the Haskill Basin Watershed Group.

WLI staff are trained scientists with extensive natural resource management and education experience. WLI's staff includes its founder and executive director who has a Bachelor's degree in biology and extensive professional experience with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and later as a consultant specializing in fisheries related issues. The Science & Education Director has a Master's in Conservation Biology and diverse experience in field research, education, and communications, and is a published author and master's instructor. The Science & Education Coordinator is a Master's Field Naturalist and has a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies with experience in science, fieldwork, education, and public outreach.

A Science Advisory Committee comprised of experts from diverse scientific disciplines supports the staff, providing reviews and advice regarding our methodologies, programs, and reporting. The organization is led by an eleven member board of directors consisting of diverse community leaders.

WLI has built an excellent organizational reputation and staff members are recognized as leaders in the community. The Whitefish Community Foundation presented WLI with the inaugural Doris Schumm Community Spirit Award, and twice presented WLI with the Russ and Mary Jane Street Community Service Award, including the inaugural year of the award. WLI staff members are represented on numerous community boards and organizations. The Executive Director was appointment by Montana State Governor Steve Bullock to the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3) and the Flathead Basin Commission. He also serves on the board of directors for the Montana Watershed Coordination Council. The Science and Education Director was appointed by Governor Bullock as Chair of the UC3, serves as a supervisor on the Flathead Conservation District board. The Science and Education Coordinator serves on the Flathead Community of Resource Educators, the Flathead Roundtable, and the Haskill Basin Watershed Group.

WLI has completed a number of projects aimed at preserving water quality in the Whitefish Lake Watershed, many in collaboration with numerous individuals, groups, and agencies. Our scientific program focuses on long-term water quality monitoring of Whitefish Lake and local streams. WLI summarized results from its water quality program in the Whitefish Area Water Resources Report: A Status of the Whitefish Lake Watershed and Surrounding Area. The report was the first to summarize watershed characteristics and water quality trends of the area. WLI also completes investigations on relevant topics of community concern such as the Investigation of Septic Leachate to the Shoreline Area of Whitefish Lake that led to local government forming an ad-hoc committee to develop a wastewater management plan and mitigation recommendations. WLI's Investigation of Gasoline Constituent Loading to Whitefish Lake led local government to install a mitigation device at a city owned boat ramp to protect public health at the adjacent public swimming area. WLI data also prompted a secondary clean-up effort along Mackinaw Bay to remove lingering contaminated soils from a 1989 train derailment during which an estimated 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel entered the lake.

Beyond scientific studies, WLI develops programs to promote the health of local aquatic resources. Since 2012, WLI has provided an annual aquatic invasive species (AIS) management plan for the City of Whitefish. In response to the 2016 findings of zebra mussels in Montana, WLI coordinated and developed partners and funding to implement two watercraft inspection stations and a preventative hot water flush station for Whitefish Lake. These activities provided a critical level of defense for Whitefish Lake. WLI also administers and coordinates a citizen science based program to monitor 40 lakes in northwest Montana.

WLI has a robust educational program that annually engages over 1,000 citizens of various ages. WLI developed, owns and manages the Living Wetlands Interpretive Nature Trail to preserve water quality and wetland habitat. School groups visit this 30-acre wetland preserve near the shores of Whitefish Lake that includes a small tributary to the lake. WLI also works with high school classes including advanced chemistry, biology and GIS for field trips and class projects. WLI hosts high school job shadow students and has hosted eleven university interns over the years including students from Northwestern University, Middlebury College, Cornell University, Princeton University and most recently Brown University.

WLI will continue to expand established programs to protect the aquatic resources of the Whitefish area while engaging the next generation of water quality stewards. In the upcoming years, WLI will continue to facilitate finding solutions to septic leachate to the lake, and increase our understanding of lake dynamics to protect public health, the aquatic food web, and our local economy.