Supporters and friends of the Wild River Conservancy came together for the Open Water: A Conservancy Celebration event on Friday, April 21st at Lake Elmo Inn Event Center. This event was a chance for Riverway enthusiasts to come together, enjoy food and drink, and honor the exceptional individuals and partners who have worked tirelessly to protect and celebrate our national park and its resources.
The evening featured an awards ceremony recognizing the stewardship of respected individuals and organizations across the watershed.
Deb Ryun, executive director for the Conservancy, reflects
“The Riverway is what it is today because of the victories won in protecting this national park. Honoring those who effect change inspires the future of our work.”
AWARD RECIPIENT SPOTLIGHT
Nelson-Mondale Legacy Award Recipients
This award was given to three individuals whose combined efforts set the framework for the long-term protection of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers and the Wild Rivers Conservancy’s evolution. All three played a crucial role in the Conservancy’s transition from an all-volunteer-led group to a staffed, official non-profit organization focused on the national park, land protection, and water quality throughout the entire St. Croix watershed.
Dan Willius
Dan was board chair when the organization incorporated as a 501(c)3 and shifted to a basin-based organization that crosses political boundaries to work more effectively for watershed protection and enhancement. He helped recruit a new, bigger board of talented motivated directors. Through Dan’s leadership, a new and inspired mission statement was created, a new strategic plan was developed, and good governance with designated committees, policies and procedures were implemented. He led the work to secure the organizations first fulltime paid staff. Dan was clear on the need to prioritize, focus, deliver and celebrate.
Peter Gove
Peter’s volunteer and professional support for national parks and conservation spans nearly 50 years. His leadership skills were well honed during his impressive career. Peter joined the St. Croix River Association board at the time when people were becoming alarmed by increased threats to their beloved river. Peter’s many state and national connections helped get the St. Croix listed as one of the nations most endangered rivers in 2008. His connections to people like Fritz Mondale, funders like McKnight Foundation, and many other conservation organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin brought the right mix of leaders to the table for the great convening.
A. W. “Bill” Clapp
Bill Clapp will forever be remembered as a man who spoke his mind and got things done. Bill worked in the Minnesota Attorney Generals' office where he specialized in laws protecting wetlands and water, and was involved in Lower Riverway protection efforts. In retirement, Bill continued working to protect the natural resources that he loved and contributed pro bono legal work and astute vision for numerous nonprofits, including, the St. Croix River Association. During his time on the Association Board, brought land trusts from around the watershed together, in what was known as the St. Croix Conservation Collaborative, the pre-cursor for what became the transformed organization.
Watershed Steward Award
Greg Seitz
Greg Seitz is the founder, editor, and publisher of St. Croix 360, an independent online news source that covers the 7,700-mile St. Croix watershed. Since 2010, Greg has been reporting on watershed issues and has grown an audience reach of over 20,000 monthly views. Greg's devotion to the riverway comes through in his rigorous research, reporting and, photography. His hard work has created and maintained a well-informed subscribed audience of over 3,500. Greg's passion for stewardship has brought together diverse groups of elected officials, government regulators, non-profit organizations, and local volunteers to foster well-informed decision-making for the future of the St. Croix watershed.
Every Kid in the Croix Award
