Forever Wild: Get Wild for Your Rivers!
Friday, September 18, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 PM | Rustic Roots Winery
EAT. DRINK. CELEBRATE. GIVE.
You’re not going to want to miss this FUNdraising party for our park!
Bid on exciting live auction items and raise your paddle to support our wild & scenic rivers.
Join Wild Rivers Conservancy on Friday, September 18th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for an annual fall celebration at Rustic Roots Winery. Surrounded by stunning views, you’ll enjoy a catered dinner and local wine by Rustic Roots Winery.
The Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and your gift helps raise the critical funds needed to support the Conservancy’s important mission to inspire stewardship to forever ensure the rare ecological integrity of the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway.
Keynote Speaker
Greg Seitz | Founder St. Croix 360, Author
With artful prose, a strong sense of place, and attention to detail, Greg Seitz shares stories that inspire and inform environmental stewardship and cultural connectivity.
St. Croix 360 shares river stories to inspire stewardship. Founded in 2011 and based along the lower river, we strive to report from throughout the 7,700-square mile watershed in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Event Details
Event Schedule
5:00 PM – Cocktail hour & socialize
6:00 PM – Keynote speaker, live auction, and fund-a-need
6:45 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Check-out
Fine Dining By Lake Elmo Inn
Dine with old and new friends and enjoy exquisite catering by the renowned Lake Elmo Inn.
Entree choices include:
- Braised Short Ribs (GF)
- Champagne Chicken (GF)
- Miso Sake Portabella (Vegan)
Picturesque Rustic Roots Winery
Conveniently located about 15 minutes north of Stillwater on scenic Hwy 95.
Once you’ve reached the end of the drive, follow the signs for parking. The majority of the lots and paths are paved and accessible.
20168 St Croix Trail N
Scandia, MN 55073
Live Auction Preview
Guided Fly Fishing with Hayward Fly Fishing Co.
Experience fly fishing on the St. Croix or Namekagon Rivers. Your guide will tailor your adventure to your skill level and interest. Enjoy some of the best warm water fly fishing on stretches of undeveloped riverway while pursuing smallmouth bass, musky, and pike.
Fly fish with top-of-the-line equipment, a gourmet lunch on the water, and fish stories to last a lifetime. Details: For up to 2 participants. This is a physical experience. Participants should be able to stand for long periods of time.
Scheduled on a mutually agreed upon date with advanced reservation. For use during the 2027 fly fishing season.
Create Your Own Custom Bourbon
Enjoy a Bourbon Blending Class at Tattersall for up to 8 guests.
Blend Your Own Custom Bourbon for eight, led by a Tattersall expert. Join us in River Falls to sample four different single barrels of Tattersall Bourbon and then create your custom blend — based on your unique tastes.
Your blending experience Includes:
• Bourbon production tour.
• Sample four single barrels of Tattersall bourbon in our intimate barrel room, with notecards to record your tasting notes and preferences.
• Guidance and tips to help decide how you want to create your blend.
• Opportunity to label and seal your bottle.
• Dessert whiskey shot to celebrate your selection.
About Tattersall -Powered by the largest solar array of any distillery in the U.S., Tattersall spirits use the best local ingredients so you can make the best cocktails anywhere you go.
Private Flight along the St. Croix River
Soar over the St. Croix River in the private Piper Arrow 200, getting an eagle’s view of this wild and scenic river. You will never forget the sight of the St. Croix weaving by the towns, fields, bluffs, and prairies on its way to the Mississippi.
Enjoy this 1-hour flight for up to two people. Your pilot will be Tom Sedlack, the CEO of 33rd Company, Inc. and a proud Wild Rivers Conservancy supporter.
Tom is a former Navy Aircraft Carrier Pilot with over 1000 hours in the F-14 Tomcat. The flight will depart from Fleming Field in South St Paul on a mutually agreeable date and time and is subject to short-notice weather rescheduling.
Details: For up to 2. Mutually agreed upon date.
Chef’s Dinner for Eight
Enjoy a one of a kind, exclusive dining experience on the grounds of The Acreage at Osceola. Hosted in partnership with Chef Brad Tetzloff, formerly of Saint Dinette in Saint Paul, and our friends at The Acreage and St Croix Valley Food Alliance, this evening will feature a private 3 course meal for up to eight people and feature special guests including Conservancy Executive Director, Matt Poppleton, and partner organization leadership.
Even better, ingredients will be locally sourced from St Croix Valley Food Alliance members and cocktail pairings will feature spirits from local distilleries. Get ready to bid on a truly unique and delicious experience in a beautiful setting.
$25 ticket or 5 tickets for $100| Raffles close & winners announced at 7:30 PM
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