Lake group meets on Tuesday

Flathead Lakers members and friends will gather to reflect on conservation and the state of the lake at their annual meeting on Tuesday, July 30.

Former Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright will provide insights from his long career in federal land management in his keynote address: Conservation Reflections.

Cartwright retired last December after five years at the helm of the park.

He continues to serve as chairman of the Flathead Basin Commission.

Flathead Lake Biological Station Director Dr. Jack Stanford will present the annual State of the Lake Report.

The Flathead Lakers will present their annual Stewardship Award to the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Montana Nature Conservancy for their contribution to protecting the North Fork Flathead watershed from industrial coal mining and energy development.

Last year, the two organizations raised $10 million to fund compensation of mining companies for exploration expenses incurred prior to the signing of the Montana-British Columbia agreement banning mining.

The Lakers’ board of directors invites the public to come learn more about Flathead waters and what the organization is doing to protect clean water in Flathead Lake and its watershed.

The program begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Glacier Camp & Conference Center 4.5 miles south of Lakeside.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available from 6:15 p.m. until the program begins.

A half-hour walk-and-talk tour at 6 p.m. will provide information about lakeshore best management practices to protect and improve water quality.

The Flathead Lakers is a nonprofit organization working for clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life in the Flathead watershed. Call 883-1346 for more information.