The Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition has come together to find common ground in natural resources management.

We envision a future with...

Productive Timber Lands

The Kootenai National Forest is one of the leading timber-producing forests in Montana. The timber industry has a rich history in northwest Montana and it continues to support the community and keep our forests healthy.

Abundant Outdoor Recreation

The Kootenai National Forest provides locals and visitors the opportunity to access the great outdoors on foot, bike, snowmobile, boat, ski, ATV, horseback and more.

Intact Wilderness

The Kootenai National Forest holds thousands of acres of undeveloped, unroaded, and unprotected wildlands that provide habitat for wildlife, opportunities for quiet recreation, and the headwaters for our drinking water supply.

We believe that the brightest days for northwest Montana are ahead of us.

Make your voice heard

Share your observations, thoughts, and feelings about the Kootenai National Forest.

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Want to know more?

We send out occasional email newsletters, meeting invitations, and event notices.

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Sit at our table

Help us work together for our waters, wildlife, forest health, and local communities.

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Testimonials From Your Neighbors

Tim Linehan

Linehan Outfitting Co.

Troy

Angelo Alderete

Citizen and Volunteer

Thompson Falls

Kristin Smith

Cabinet Mountain Brewing

Libby

Jerry Wandler

Troy Snowmobile Club

Troy

Paul McKenzie

F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber

Columbia Falls

Shawn Morgan

Thompson River Lumber, Inc.

Thompson Falls

KFSC News and Announcements

Collaborative Support for Ripley Project

TIM DOUGHERTY, DOUG FERRELL | October 28, 2021 Flathead Beacon The governing board of the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition has voted unanimously to support a legal defense of the Forest Service Ripley project.

Choose truth and cooperation over lies and divisiveness

Choose Truth and Cooperation Over Lies and Divisiveness TIM DOUGHERTY, DOUG FERRELL | June 18, 2021 7:00 AM The Western News The board members of the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition (KFSC) feel obligated to speak up about the role of public input in public land...

Help forge a sustainable future for the Kootenai National Forest

July 24, 2020 9:27 AM For more than 14 years, the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition (KFSC) has brought together individuals, businesses and organizations that take an interest in the management of our public lands. In particular, we’ve been focused on how we can...

Happy National Pollinator Week

Click on the link below for a free .pdf download of a booklet from the United States Forest Service highlighting some of our beautiful western Montana plants and their pollinators. Did you know three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the...

Court Ruling Stalls Portion of Sprawling Kootenai Timber Project

Stakeholders optimistic collaboration will move forward despite 9th Circuit decision BY TRISTAN SCOTT // JUL 27, 2018 Printed in the Flathead Beacon An appellate court’s ruling against a proposed logging project in the Kootenai National Forest represents another...

Citizens Need Voice in Forest Management

The simple truth is that no collaborative group is going to succeed unless all viewpoints are recognized BY ED LEVERT // MAY 2, 2018 Printed in the Flathead Beacon Many of you are aware of the collaborative group called the Kootenai Forest Stakeholder Coalition...

Manage Public Lands in a Sustainable, Collaborative Way

The forest has taken leadership by listening to the needs and wishes of the community BY WILL HAMMERQUIST // FEB 24, 2018 Flathead Beacon As the owner of a small business in one of the most remote locations in Montana, my livelihood depends on public lands. And I’m...

Lincoln County Commissioners sign forest management memorandum with Kootenai Forest Stakeholders group

DECEMBER 18, 2017 Submitted by Robyn King, Executive Director, Yaak Valley Forest Council Printed in the Montanian The Lincoln County Commissioners met with the board of directors for the Kootenai Forest Stakeholder Coalition during a November 29 public meeting. After...

Getting Along in the Kootenai

Collaborative group makes its case for wilderness, timber harvest and small business to coincide in the Kootenai National Forest BY TRISTAN SCOTT // JUL 6, 2017 Printed in the Flathead Beacon A mere two miles from the timber town of Libby, a wilderness area spans...

Forward-Thinking Solutions to Land Management

Contact your delegation and let them know you support these collaborative efforts BY SONNY MAZZULLO // APR 2, 2017 Printed in Flathead Beacon Last month, Sen. Jon Tester introduced the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act in Congress. This prospective piece of...

United by our public lands legacy

KOOTENAI FOREST STAKEHOLDERS COALITION Feb 14, 2017 Printed in the Missoulian The end of the election season and the beginning of the year offer a welcome opportunity to put politics aside and work across the aisle on what matters most to Montanans. While we may not...

The Path Ahead

The Kootenai National Forest has been a tough place to find agreement BY KOOTENAI FOREST STAKEHOLDERS COALITION EXECUTIVE BOARD // NOV 6, 2016 Printed in the Flathead Beacon The Kootenai National Forest is one of Montana’s hidden secrets. Productive forests, soaring...

Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Host Open House Series

LIBBY – The Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition is hosting a series of open house meetings to discuss their vision for the future stewardship of the Kootenai National Forest. These meetings are open to the public and will be held around northwestern Montana. The...

Family Trees

From the trenches of the timber wars to a tabletop collaborative, a coalition of stakeholders is on the cusp of an historic accord on the Kootenai National Forest BY TRISTAN SCOTT // OCT 19, 2016 Printed in the Flathead Beacon LIBBY — As third- and fourth-generation...