UM Bio Station Invites Public to Annual Open House Celebration

The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) welcomes the public to a free and family-friendly Open House celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, August 8.

Explore the FLBS campus in Yellow Bay, meet the Bio Station’s team of scientists and educators, and learn about Flathead Lake and its watershed, as well as the Bio Station’s cutting-edge, world-renowned research and immersive education programs.

Open House programming will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a special presentation by FLBS Director Jim Elser and ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the Bio Station’s new containerized, membrane bio-reactor wastewater treatment plant, which could serve as an innovative, cost-effective, and scalable wastewater treatment option for growing and developing communities in the Flathead Watershed and beyond.

Throughout the Open House, there will be FLBS science exhibits and hands-on learning activities for kids of all ages. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about our waters; experience close-up encounters with stream, pond, and lake creatures; get important updates from experts on the front lines of aquatic invasive species prevention; and more.

Visitors can also enjoy boat tours aboard the Jessie B., the station’s 30-foot research vessel, special appearances by the University of Montana’s beloved mascot Monte Bear, live music, door prizes, and free food for attendees.

Check out the 2025 FLBS Open House Schedule of Events!

Additional program highlights feature a presentation about Flathead Lake at 1:30 p.m. by FLBS Professor Matthew Church who oversees our Flathead Lake Monitoring Program. Special guests include the Western Montana Conservation Commission, the Montana State University Northwest Agricultural Research Center, and AIS-detecting dogs of Montana Black Dog Services, which will provide mussel-sniffing demonstrations every half hour.

Local vendors The Sausage Queen, Max’s Rad Catering, and Glacier Shave Ice will provide food services throughout the day. If available, world-renowned Flathead Lake cherries will be provided courtesy of The Last Best Place Orchard, and additional light refreshments will be provided by FLBS.

Research boat tours are scheduled at 12:30, 1:10, 1:45, 2:20, 3:00 p.m. There are 20 seats available per tour. Visitors can reserve a seat by picking up a free ticket at the welcome table during the Open House.

The Bio Station is located 17.5 miles north of Polson and 14 miles south of Bigfork along Highway 35, on the east shore of Flathead Lake, just north of Yellow Bay State Park. For more information, or to see a complete schedule of events, visit the FLBS website at flbs.umt.edu or call 406-872-4500.