Minnesota couple expands 20 acres into 655-acre Montana conservation haven

When Doug and Carolyn Kohrs first visited Montana’s Flathead Valley from their home in Minnesota, they were drawn to the landscape along the Stillwater River. In 2005, they bought 20 acres beside the river, already believing that the land should remain protected. Over the next 17 years, the couple gradually assembled 655 acres of rich farmland, riparian forest and wildlife habitat. In 2022, they placed the entire property under a permanent conservation easement. The Flathead Land Trust reports that game cameras have documented grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, elk and deer using the land. The property also supports nearly 500 acres of farmland, protects 1.7 miles of riverfront forest and connects with thousands of additional acres of public and conserved land.Falling in love with the Flathead ValleyDoug and Carolyn Kohrs began visiting the Flathead Valley in 2001.They lived in Minnesota, but repeated trips to Montana changed their relationship with the region. The landscape along the Stillwater River stood out because it combined open farmland, forest, water and dramatic mountain surroundings.Four years later, in 2005, they purchased a 20-...