Five Valleys Land Trust

06/11/2026

Looking to get up close and personal with our feathered friends? Look no further than the Rock Creek Confluence!

We've partnered with the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab to have a bird banding station on the east side of the Confluence for an 11th year of science and community engagement. Banding days are open to the public - no RSVP required. The next one is Monday, June 15th!

For anyone looking to get up close and personal with our native feathered friends, look no further than our Rock Creek Confluence this summer!

06/10/2026

Start your day with 💥stoke💥 by volunteering with us at the Missoula Marathon! We are pumped to be back manning Aid Station #3 on Sunday, June 28th. Join us from 4:45am - 8:00am at Mile 5.6 to hand out water and cheer on the runners.

That's right - this awesome EARLY bird gig gives back and still gets you to the finish line in time to celebrate.

Sign up with us at https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Missoula/fvltvolunteer

06/05/2026

Get out and celebrate the trails you love - Saturday is National Trails Day 🥾

Come up to Skyline Ridge on the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest. From 9am&12pm we'll have treats, info, and good vibes to fuel your hike, ride, or run.

Not heading to Mount Dean Stone? Stop by one of the other stations at the Sunlight Trailhead in the North Hills or the main Rattlesnake Recreation Area Trailhead to learn about efforts to care for the conservation lands you love.

See you on the trail 🌼

06/05/2026

Just upstream from Bonner, the Heliker conservation easement property stands watch over the Clark Fork River. This scenic 158-acre parcel begins as steep hillsides of pine and fir forests, which gradually give way to a large open grassland and seasonal wetland, before it meets the river. The mix of habitats - forest, grassland, wetland, and riverside - provide for elk, bears, osprey, trout, mountain lions, frogs, and more.

Part of the aboriginal territory of the Selis (Salish) and other tribes since time immemorial, the property was homesteaded by the Allen family around 1897. Over the decades the Allens built irrigation infrastructure that they used to raise potatoes, hay, and apples. In 1964, the property was purchased by George and Betty Heliker.

In the mid-2000s, the property was purchased by the Heliker's son, Russell, and his wife, Linda. Russell and Linda restored the homestead, and in June 2012, they realized a long-sought goal when they protected by property by donating a conservation easement to Five Valleys.

This beautiful place continues to be loved and cared for by the current conservation landowner in partnership with Five Valleys, and it will remain so, forever. Happy 14th conservation birthday, Heliker conservation easement! 🎉

06/03/2026

A big thank you to Logjam Presents and Tito's Handmade Vodka for including Five Valleys in the Flowing Back to the Community Series 🌊 We'll see you on June 28th for Ziggy Marley!

We're grateful for your support of local nonprofits and for helping protect the lands and waters that make western Montana such a special place to call home.

Learn more at logjampresents.com

06/01/2026

Trails, Rivers, Forests, and Community - oh my!

See you this Wednesday, June 3 from 5-9pm at Trail Head River Sports for the Trails, Rivers, and Forests Expo 🥾🛶🌲

Come out for food, drinks, raffles, live music, and a celebration of our public lands and waters. Say hello to dozens of your favorite conservation and recreation nonprofits - be sure to stop by the Five Valleys table while you're there!

Thank you to American Rivers, Wild Montana and Trail Head River Sports for hosting! More info at https://wildmontana.org/event/trails-rivers-forests-expo-2026/

05/31/2026

Spring rains mean high water at the Rock Creek Confluence's wetland 💦

This seasonal wetland was once an ornamental pond, fed by water diverted from Rock Creek. After years of restoration it now naturally fills and empties with the seasons, and provides important habitat for bugs, birds, frogs, and much, much more. Wetlands make up less than 3% of Montana, yet more than 60% of all our wildlife species depend on them. And, we think they can be very pretty, too. 🌥️

05/27/2026

Going to the Zootown Festival? Win a chance to upgrade to a VIP experience by supporting Five Valleys!

We are thrilled to be the local nonprofit partner of the 2026 Zootown Festival. By entering to win an exclusive excursion with Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers you can help support our work - a win-win for concerts and conservation.

The package includes a meet and greet with Wesley Schultz, two VIP tickets and access to the lounge, dedicated front stage viewing areas, choice of awesome outdoor excursions (including flyfishing, rafting, and more), and merch and gift cards from some of Missoula's favorite businesses.

The entry deadline is June 4. Learn more and enter to win at https://propeller.la/zootown2026

Thank you, Zootown Festival, The Lumineers and the generous local businesses contributing to the package!

05/25/2026

Montana's landscape reminds us how lucky we are - for this incredible place, and for our family, friends, and neighbors who have served. Thank you, veterans and service members!

Happy Memorial Day 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

Get out on the land! Banding birds, celebrating trails, volunteering, dancing at the Zootown Festival and Old Salt Festival, and so much more.

Check out all our upcoming events at:

Want to connect with western Montana open lands? Join us for events, workshops, and volunteering opportunities throughout the season.