Volunteering with Riverway Volunteers

Providing meaningful experiences for people to actively conserve and enhance the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and to help others explore and discover this national park.

Riverway Volunteers is a program of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Wild Rivers Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of the National Scenic Riverway. Through this program, volunteers support and are supported by both organizations together as they serve the Riverway and the greater watershed.

Volunteer activities can be physical such as scientific monitoring or materials maintenance, creative like contributing photography or art, or organizational like leading activities or assisting with office work.

Get Started on Your Volunteer Journey

Fill out a volunteer interest form

Learn About Volunteer Opportunities

Contribute to the National Scenic Riverway

A volunteer releases beetles as part of the purple loosestrife bio control project.

Be A Part Of The Experience

This co-managed volunteer program allows all Riverway Volunteers to be part of the larger National Park Service Volunteer-in-Parks (VIP) program and allows our reach to extend beyond National Park Service borders into the entire St. Croix watershed.

Learn more about the National Scenic Riverway.

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Why Volunteers Matter

Volunteers play a critical role in achieving the mission for Wild Rivers Conservancy and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. They help conserve and restore the diverse resources of the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers, enrich the experiences of visitors, and help others discover and explore their national park.

A Rewarding Experience

"I love the St. Croix river for all the beauty, pleasure and solace that it has brought to me over the years. I wanted to give back to the St. Croix for all the river has brought to me and my family."

Julie, Volunteer

We Rely on People Like You

Volunteer Hours in 2023

Number of Riverway Volunteers in 2023

Dollar Value of Volunteer Service in 2023

A Volunteer Fit For Everyone

We would love to welcome you to our volunteer team! We have opportunities for all levels of skill, experience, and commitment.

Community Engagement & Education

Support education and outreach in the watershed! Our volunteers play a vital role in connecting the public to the park through hikes, paddles, fishing, and other community-based programs!

River Guide volunteers support event staff in providing a safe and enjoyable experience for paddle program participants and in fostering connections to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Paddle programs can include public programs, youth groups, and Learn to Paddle events that take place on rivers and/or lakes in the St. Croix watershed. Basic kayaking or canoeing experience is required. Riverway Volunteers provides a 2-hour training in the spring that is recommended for all River Guides to complete.
Park Guide volunteers assist staff in leading land-based programs around the St. Croix watershed. Activities may include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, birding, biking, and fishing, to name a few.
Visitor Center Assistants volunteers help visitors prepare for safe, memorable adventures in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Volunteers greet visitors and provide current, accurate information about the riverway and the National Park Service to visitors. This position is an excellent opportunity for volunteers who like to talk with people, learn and share information about wildlife and history, and more.
Education Program Support volunteers help with the Rivers Are Alive K-12 environmental education program throughout the school year, assisting with classroom presentations and field trips.

Fill out a volunteer interest form

Natural Resources and Sciences

Eager to get your hands dirty? Whether it’s garlic mustard pulling, invasive species identification, or water quality monitoring, there’s a resource management opportunity for you. You can join us for a single-day stewardship event, or even become a community scientist!

Cleanup Event volunteers support litter cleanup efforts at river landings, parks, roadsides, and other areas within the St. Croix watershed.
Habitat Restoration volunteers assist with a variety of projects such as invasive species removal, planting, and seed collection.
Invasive Species Monitors are trained to identify and report terrestrial or aquatic invasive species.
Volunteer Water Quality Monitors support water quality and data collection efforts in the St. Croix watershed.

Fill out a volunteer interest form

Gathering the purple loosestrife root ball, April 2021_KatieSickmann

Two young woman stand behind a plant and gather beetles. Photo by Katie Sickmann

A group of volunteers stand near a river. They are holding trash grabbers and trash bags.

Behind-the-Scenes Support

There are year-round opportunities to support the St. Croix in important behind-the-scenes work!

Office Assistant volunteers may help coordinate special events and programs, help with bulk mailings, support file management, and other miscellaneous office tasks.
Project Support volunteers provide general and specialized assistance on projects, programs, events, and other opportunities. This position is excellent for someone with special skills or interests, such as in kayak repairs or sewing.
Volunteer photographers donate their time and talents to capture scenic and recreational shots of our parks and open spaces, as well as to help document volunteer activities, special events, and other specialized requests.

Fill out a volunteer interest form