Flathead Lake Biological Station celebrates 125 years with Open House

The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) is 125 years old this year, and welcomes the public to a free and family-friendly FLBS125 Anniversary Open House celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.

Explore the FLBS campus in Yellow Bay, meet the team, and learn about the Flathead Watershed and the station’s cutting-edge, world-renowned research and immersive education programs. Open House programming will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome presentation featuring past and current FLBS directors.

Throughout the event, the Bio Station’s 125 years of research, monitoring, and education will be on full display. FLBS science exhibits will provide hands-on learning activities for kids of all ages; information about Flathead Lake and its watershed; close-up encounters with stream, pond, and lake creatures; updates from experts on the front lines of aquatic invasive species prevention; a sneak peek at cutting-edge drone and GIS mapping research; and more.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy boat tours aboard the Jessie B, the station’s 30-foot research vessel, special appearances by the University of Montana’s beloved mascot Monte Bear, live music, and free food for attendees. There will also be a family-friendly scavenger hunt that kids can complete for special prizes.

Additional program highlights include a special presentation by former FLBS Director Jack Stanford at 1:30 p.m. and the annual State of the Lake presentation by current FLBS Director Jim Elser at 2:30 p.m.

Special guests include Summer Open AIR Artist-in-Residence Vera Ting, local author and historian Butch Larcombe, local underwater photographer Kyren Zimmerman, and the AIS-detecting dogs of Montana Black Dog Services, who provide mussel-sniffing demonstrations every half house.

To help with the celebration, the Bio Station is partnering with local food vendors The Sausage Queen, Farm to Fork Catering, and Glacier Shave Ice to offer free food items throughout the day. Additional FLBS-themed refreshments will be provided.

Research boat tours are scheduled at 12:30, 1:10, 1:45, 2:20, 2:55and 3:30 p.m. There are 20 seats available per tour; reserve a space by picking up a free ticket at the welcome table during the Open House.

FLBS walking history and facilities tours will be available and door prizes will be handed out to attendees periodically throughout the event.

The Bio Station is located 17.5 miles north of Polson and 14 miles south of Bigfork along Highway 35, on the east shore of Flathead Lake, just north of the Yellow Bay State Park. For more information, or to see a complete schedule of events, visit the FLBS website at flbs.umt.edu or call 406-872-4500.