NORTH FORK PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION INVITES PUBLIC TO ANNUAL MEETING
GUEST SPEAKER JOHN FRALEY FEATURED
Polebridge, Mont. (June 21, 2024) – The North Fork Preservation Association will
host their annual meeting on July 27, 2024 at the Sondreson Community Hall located
eight miles north of Polebridge on the North Fork Road at Whale Creek Bridge. The
public is invited to a pot luck supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by a short business
meeting at 6:45 p.m. and the main event with speaker John Fraley at 7:30 p.m.
Local author and guest speaker John Fraley will share his knowledge providing a
better understanding of the special lore of the westslope cutthroat trout and the
connection to other wilderness species based on his 45 years of exploring the three
forks of the Flathead River System, as a fisheries biologist for the state of Montana
and an avid wildlife enthusiast. Fraley holds wildlife degrees from both Montana
universities. He has written five books about outdoor adventures in the
backcountry. His latest book, My Wilderness Life published in 2022, features his in
depth experiences in the wilderness including snorkeling with pure westslope
cutthroat trout, retracing the footsteps of conservationist Bud Moore, tracking lynx
and mountain lions across the Great Bear Wilderness in Winter, hiking 42 miles
through the Bob in a single day, and more. John resides in the Flathead Valley with
his wife, Dana, who along with his children Kevin, Heather, and Troy often
accompany John on many wilderness treks. The public may purchase and John will
be available to sign his books afterwards.
North Fork Preservation Association Board Chair Flannery Freund shares, “We are
honored to have John share his passion, knowledge and infinite wisdom of the wild
places surrounding us. The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about our
mission and join in our conservation efforts at any point in the evening program.”
The mission of the North Fork Preservation Association is to champion the
exceptional biodiversity and wildness of the North Fork of the Flathead River
watershed in Northwest Montana.
The North Fork of the Flathead River valley, along the western flanks of Glacier
National Park, is a jewel in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. The North Fork, a
federally-designated Wild and Scenic River, flows south from British Columbia,
Canada. This unique and pristine international watershed features spectacular,
glaciated mountain peaks, wildflowers, open grasslands, a wide river valley, diverse
wetlands and clear, clean water. A rich complement of indigenous species still exists,
including grey wolves, grizzly and black bear, mountain lions, lynx, wolverine, and
the endangered bull trout.
Local residents founded the North Fork Preservation Association (NFPA) in 1982 in
response to proposals to pave the road and develop a coal mine upstream in Canada
— changes that would have forever altered the natural landscape of the valley. The
Association continues its work with the community to develop land-use planning
and an education program that demonstrates how human and natural communities
can successfully coexist. For more information go to gravel.org.
This event is put on by
The North Fork Preservation Association
For more information, please visit
https://www.gravel.org/
