Glacier Institute has new 141-acre campus

Years in the making, the Glacier Institute recently purchased 141 acres just east of Columbia Falls for its new educational outdoor center.

The purchase marks a major milestone in the nonprofit outdoor educational organization and preserves a critical portion of wildlife habitat near the Flathead River and the adjacent Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area.

Founded in 1983, the nonprofit is the official educational partner for Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest. It runs outdoor education programs at its facility at Big Creek up the North Fork of the Flathead and at its field camp in Glacier National Park.

The Institute now has an expansive headquarters in Columbia Falls to host day programs and school groups on a campus with natural springs, ponds and unique and unspoiled river bottom habitat.

“The possibilities are just endless,” Institute Director Anthony Nelson said last week.

Nelson explained the deal was made possible after it was able to sell its property on Nucleus Avenue for $900,000. In addition, it had $100,000 in donations to go toward the $3.5 million purchase price from Twins Peaks LLC, the owners of the Columbia Heights property.

Nelson said the Institute will now begin a fundraising campaign to pay the balance.

The Institute first considered buying the land back in 2023. But it needed to sell the Nucleus Avenue property first. That sale closed a few weeks ago and the Institute moved into its new location, which also includes a home and shop that will be converted to office and classroom space. The property is a gem by any measure, with expansive views of the Flathead River valley as well as manmade and natural ponds and a spring creek, all of which is hidden from view by the natural topography.

It’s home to a full suite of wildlife, including deer, elk, grizzly and black bears as well as dozens of bird and native fish species.

A Shangri-La just off Highway 2.

“This is more than just a land purchase,” David Fetveit, board chair of the Institute, said. “This is a generational investment in the Glacier Institute. It’s about protecting this land in order to inspire and educate future stewards of wild places.”

The board and Nelson noted that the purchase was an independent initiative. No federal funding contributed to the acquisition and the dollars raised for the project moving forward will not support Glacier National Park or Flathead National Forest operations.

“This new property allows us to grow in ways that ultimately enhance the work we do alongside our federal partners,” Nelson said. “It strengthens our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality programs — including providing a prime location to launch our educational day hikes into Glacier — and ensures that we can continue to serve the community even when access to public lands is temporarily limited due to wildfires or shutdowns.”

From the fundraising end, the Institute will host its annual Lumberjack Ball at the new property June 13. It will be a great way to tour the land and facility and offers a way for guests to get a sense of the place. To learn more, visit glacierinstitute.org/lumberjack-ball/.

The Institute is also in discussions with several school districts, conservation organizations, tribal communities and local businesses in partnering to enhance and shape the future of the facility, Nelson noted.