Volunteers plant 33 ponderosa pines at Finley Point park

On Earth Day 2025, Encompass LLC sponsored a tree restoration project at the Finley Point Unit of Flathead Lake State Park in partnership with Montana State Parks, AmeriCorps and the Montana State Parks Foundation.

As part of a hands-on volunteer effort, four Flathead Lake State Park stewards planted 33 native ponderosa pine saplings throughout the park. The trees were planted to restore the forest canopy, improve wildlife habitat, stabilize soils, and provide future shade for park users.

Located on the southeast shore of Flathead Lake, Finley Point is a heavily visited site used for camping, boating and fishing. The site has recently undergone forest management activities, including the removal of some trees due to safety concerns and forest health issues.

The newly planted trees help diversify the age profile of the forest and support long-term ecological resilience.

“This project was a great opportunity for community volunteers to contribute to the long-term health of the park and engage in hands-on stewardship,” said Amy Grout, Regional Parks Recreation Manager with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

The planting was the first volunteer event of the 2025 season. All four participants plan to return as recurring volunteers with the park stewardship program.

“It set a really positive tone for the year,” said Savannah Malosky, a recreation steward for AmeriCorps. “We’re building a strong volunteer team that’s committed to giving back.”

For more information about volunteer opportunities or supporting Montana’s state parks, visit www.montanastateparksfoundation.org or contact Megan Buecking at Megan@montanastateparks.org.