Lake group broadens its reach

Whitefish Lake Institute is expanding

while remaining true to its core of education and scientific

research.

The institute recently finalized two

partnerships. One with the South Dakota-based Educational Travel

Institute of America to coordinate a local Road Scholar program.

The other is a partnership with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and

Parks and the Flathead Basin Commission to manage a volunteer

monitoring network and further work on Whitefish water quality.

The partnerships have allowed the

institute to hire two employees to coordinate the programs. Lori

Curtis is the new science and education director and coordinator

for the Road Scholar program. Josh Gubits heads up the volunteer

network.

Mike Koopal, the institute’s executive

director, credits the partnerships for allowing for the expansion

and creation of Curtis and Gubits’ positions. Since 2005, the

non-profit has been performing scientific research and educational

outreach to protect Whitefish area water resources. This work has

been accomplished primarily by Koopal and scientist Chris Ruffatto

and volunteers.

“We wouldn’t be able to expand the

scientific and education programs without them,” he said.

Education

Before joining the institute Curtis

published the “Flathead Watershed Sourcebook: A Guide to an

Extraordinary Place.” She coordinates the education program.

The Road Scholar program — formally

known as Elderhostel — provides lifelong learning programs. Curtis

oversees the Whitefish and Glacier National Park-centered education

programs geared toward senior citizens. Four programs totaling 20

weeks will be offered beginning this summer.

“This is an exciting opportunity to

educate people,” Curtis said. “Not only in Glacier Park, but in the

wildlife urban interface.”

During one class, institute staff will

introduce participants to wetlands and then go on a field trip to

the institute’s wetland complex. The courses will teach the

geophysical and cultural histories of the area, a first-hand

knowledge of its habitats, species and some of the challenges

facing communities and resource managers.

The institute’s primary education work

has been with school-age children and through an internship

program. The institute is looking to combine the two younger and

older education programs to develop a new intergenerational program

for 2012. The program would be offered to seniors and their

grandchildren as an opportunity for educational travel.

Volunteer research

Gubits previously served as the field

education coordinator for the Watershed Education Network in

Missoula. He will apply his experience as the institute expands its

use of citizen scientist volunteers for the Northwest Montana Lakes

Volunteer Monitoring Network.

The monitoring network will collect

data on 40 lakes throughout the region. Volunteers are trained on

protocols and methodology for data collection. They take visual and

weather observations, record temperatures and perform visual

surveys for aquatic invasive species.

“It’s amazing,” Gubits said. “We’re

able to bring in a lot of volunteers. About 40 volunteers will

contribute 800 volunteer hours each year — which is huge for

us.”

Partnerships with volunteers include

Flathead Valley Community College, Salish Kootenai College and the

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

“Volunteers go out on the lakes twice

per month, collect and submit information,” Gubits said. “They

learn about the aquatic environment. It’s an opportunity to get

involved.”

The data will be used by management

agencies to make decisions and to create public awareness of lake

issues.

As program coordinator, Gubits recruits

and trains volunteers and also serves as a staff environmental

scientist collecting and interpreting field data to carry out work

for the organization.

Economic benefit

The Institute crew sees the

partnerships as a benefit to the local economy as well.

Besides the two full-time positions, 19

seasonal positions will be created as part of the partnerships. The

seasonal positions are program leaders and field instructors that

will lead the Road Scholar classes.

“Many of the instructors are biologists

or retired persons with some expertise in Whitefish or Glacier

National Park,” Curtis said. “Some take vacation time to lead the

programs and they’re paid a stipend.”

The Road Scholar program is expected to

bring 700 participants through the area. These visitors will come

from around the United States and are expected to bring revenue to

hotels, restaurants and area businesses.

Koopal said the institute has provided

education and science data, but the new positions and programs are

a new way to give more.

“What I’m most excited about is giving

back to the community,” Koopal said. “We’ve been able to contribute

third-party scientific data, but this helps us contribute to the

economy. This is unique for a small environmental non-profit.”

Volunteers are still needed for the

2011 field monitoring season which runs through September. For more

information contact Gubits at 862-4327 or

josh@whitefishlake.org.