Antique-style map of lake is fundraiser for Lakers group

Missoula-based Xplorer Maps will present The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station and the Flathead Lakers with the first installment of fundraising proceeds from sales of its antique-style map of Flathead Lake at 11 a.m. Oct. 24 at the station.

The company has sold about half of the 300 signed, limited-edition prints of the map, which was released over the summer to raise money and awareness for continued monitoring, research and protection of Flathead Lake.

Greg Robitaille, co-owner of Xplorer Maps, will present a check in support of programs run by the station and the Lakers. The station will use its portion as a matching contribution to the ongoing Flathead Lake Monitoring Challenge Grant.

Xplorer Maps agreed to donate $20,000 of the revenue generated by the map to the station and the Lakers.

In addition to the remaining $300 Giclee prints of the hand-drawn map, the original ink and watercolor artwork is being auctioned on the Xplorer Maps website until Nov. 1, with the proceeds also benefiting the FLBS and Flathead Lakers.

To view, purchase or learn more about the maps and the programs they support, visit www.xplorermaps.com, www.flatheadlakers.org or www.umt.edu/flbs; or call Research Scientist Tom Bansak at 406-982-3301 extension 229, or email tom.bansak@umontana.edu.