Conservation film on tap March 11

The Flathead Land Trust, Montana Land Reliance, and the Vital Ground Foundation will host the northwest Montana film premiere of “On the Shoulders of Giants: The Story of Montana Private Land Conservation” on Saturday, March 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

The film is a stunning and emotional 21-minute story about the value of conservation to Montana’s landscape, economy, and way of life. This northwest Montana premiere marks the 40th anniversary of Montana’s first conservation easement and the state’s four decades of dynamic private land conservation achievement.

Montana has long been recognized as a national leader in both the quality and quantity of private land conservation, and the film’s photography and interviews capture Montana’s breathtaking landscape together with the diverse economic, recreational, agricultural, wildlife and lifestyle contributions of open land to Montana and Montanans.

Since 1976, Montana landowners have partnered with land trusts and agencies to conserve 2.4 million acres of private land throughout the state. Given the positive economic benefits such as preserving family farms and ranches and maintaining water quality and wildlife habitat associated with Montana private land conservation, these voluntary land conservation efforts will become even more important in the future.

The event will also include the screening of other exciting short films and presentations about local conservation efforts in northwest Montana. Come meet the land trusts that play a vital role in the conservation of our open land, clean water and rich wildlife habitat.

The event is free and open to the public with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and program starting at 6 p.m. Great Northern Brewery will be serving beer and wine which will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Paul at ptravis@flatheadlandtrust.org or 406-752-8293.