The FOY's to blacktail forest conservation easement would encompass approximately 1,131 acres of working forestlands near kalispell, montana

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R1-Northern Region awarded the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Division $3.86 million on May 19, 2026, under the Forest Legacy Program to establish a conservation easement on approximately 1,131 acres of working forestland near Kalispell, Montana. The Foy's to Blacktail Forest Conservation Easement project will protect forest acreage adjacent to the 440-acre Herron Park and John Chase Demonstration Forest, effectively tripling Herron Park's size and expanding recreational access to a location that draws over 100,000 annual visitors. The easement will preserve working forestland threatened by subdivision and residential development in one of Montana's fastest-growing regions, securing water resources, supporting sustainable forestry practices, reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface, providing wildlife habitat and migratory corridors for a local elk herd, and sustaining local economic activity through timber production and outdoor recreation. The award has a period of performance through April 30, 2028, with place of performance in Montana.

Strategically located next to previous funded conservation areas, the 440-acre herron park and the john chase demonstration forest, the project would effectively triple the size of herron park and expand recreational opportunities to a location that receives over 100,000 annual visitors. As one of the fastest-growing areas in montana, kalispell and flathead county would greatly benefit from this project's proximity, ensuring accessible open space for residents to recreate. The fast-growing nature of this area produces this property's greatest threat, subdivision and home development, which would negatively impact public recreation in the area and prevent the use of this property as a working forest with multiple natural resource benefits. The natural resource benefits of this project include safeguarding water resources crucial to the community, supporting sustainable forestry practices, countering wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface, providing wildlife habitat including a migratory corridor for a local ELK herd, and bolstering the local economy through both wood products and outdoor recreation.