The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station serves the Flathead Lake region, the state of Montana, the nation, and the world by advancing a cutting-edge research, monitoring, education & outreach platform for limnology, ecology, and environmental science at Flathead Lake. We advance this mission in three ways:
- Advanced research in the ecology of lakes and rivers
- Sustained environmental monitoring of Flathead Lake and its watershed
- Education at all levels, emphasizing higher-ed level training, and outreach from school children to interested citizens
Located on the east shore of Flathead Lake, our Yellow Bay campus includes 60 buildings on 80 acres. We can sleep over 100 people and regularly host academic workshops and conferences.
Our research focuses largely on aquatic ecology, in particular large lakes and rivers. Our long-term monitoring of Flathead Lake is our flagship program. We regularly bring our science and expertise into the decision-making arena, so that scientific knowledge can help guide sound policy and management of natural resources.
We have been hosting summer field courses since our founding in 1899. Our faculty mentor graduate students and postdoctoral scholars year round. Our K-12 education program inspires the next generation of scientists and stewards.
- Year Founded
- 1899
- Year Joined OBFS
- 1968
- Size of Field Station (hectares)
- 1-100
- FSML Web Address
- https://flbs.umt.edu/
- Private nonprofit organization?
- No
- Universities affiliated / Parent Organization
- University of Montana
- Federal, state, or local governmental partners?
-
USFS, NPS, and Other: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana State agencies, local NGOs and watershed groups
- Member of the Virtual Field
- Yes