By Jess Garby
Elle Elberts-Robocker, granddaughter of founding FAS member Jean Robocker, has been hard at work preserving and stewarding the land her grandmother left behind. The Robocker family first settled on Egan Slough in 1907. Doug and Jean Robocker built the house and barn there in 1950, where Jean, a lover of the outdoors, lived until she passed away in 2021. The land has been a home to people for thousands of years.
Managed historically by the Salish and Ksanka (Kootenai) people, it has sustained countless generations. In the 1980s Jean and Doug put the property under conservation with The Nature Conservancy, to be protected as both farmland and wildlife habitat for future generations. In the years since, hundreds of surrounding acres have also been protected. Recent conservation work has been conducted on the farm through the generosity of friends, the Flathead Conservation District, and Flathead Audubon.
Elle has graciously invited Flathead Audubon to be a part of the Jean Robocker Farm legacy. A goal of hers is to eventually invite local school groups and FAS members to enjoy the trails she and her team have built.
FAS Board Member Pam Willison worked with Elle to create trail signage and a brochure. After constructing
trails throughout the spring and summer of 2025, Elle invited the FAS Board of Directors to visit and explore the
property, while learning about the rich history of the land. It was an exciting day for all. The trails hug Egan Slough, an eBird hotspot, yet the slough has never provided public access. Therefore, it was the first time for many of us to see the slough up close. A family of Snow Geese flew over as we admired the surroundings. Elle shared the historical land uses, from Native peoples regularly burning the land to the modern farming techniques used today.
Along the way, we spotted some incredible birds, including a rarity for Montana birders, the Swamp Sparrow! When Jake Bramante heard the unfamiliar notes, he took his time finding the bird. After searching through the brush, he got eyes on the rusty capped sparrow. Other notable bird species observed included a Pacific Wren, the trifecta of nuthatch species (Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Pygmy Nuthatch), and a Great Horned Owl.
Thanks to Elle and her wonderful team for all their hard work and for graciously hosting the FAS Board. We
hope to provide future Flathead Audubon field trips at the Robocker Farm. In the meantime, please note this is private property and access is by permission only from the Robocker family.