Rivers Are Alive K-12
Environmental Education

RAA Logo- new colors

Explore Your River National Park

Rivers Are Alive is a K-12 environmental education program offered in partnership by the Wild Rivers Conservancy and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway throughout the St. Croix watershed in every season.

Rivers Are Alive offers engaging, hands-on science activities that connect students to this national park and its watershed.

We believe in empowering educators to be river and watershed experts through valuable teacher in-service workshops.

We'll Bring the River to Your Class...Inside or Outside!

Photo: Wild Rivers Conservancy

At the River

Field trips on the St. Croix
and Namekagon
Rivers.

Photo: Nicole Biagi, Wild Rivers Conservancy

At the School Yard

Learn close to the classroom
and get outside!

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In Your Classroom

Let us bring the river to you with in-person classroom visits!

Photo: S. Sinna, NPS

NPS Visitor Center

Visit the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Visitor Center with your class!

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Virtual

Discover the river through video programs or virtual class visits!

“The kiddos LOVED the entire experience. From the Junior Ranger Workbooks you provided to the field trip to the Visitor's Center to the swearing in ceremony with certificates and badges, it was a fantastic experience. We are beyond grateful. You all made it easy, fun, and totally worthwhile.“

—Rita Platt, Principal, St. Croix Falls & Dresser Elementary Schools

“This trip was amazing and engaging! Extremely inclusive for our diverse group! You guys were fun and engaging. The hands-on activity was amazing. Thank you so much for participating right with the kids, they loved interacting with all of you. Keep doing what you guys are doing!”

—NorthWest Passage Teacher at Wisconsin Interstate State Park

"It was a pleasure working with both of you. You have been so accommodating and so helpful.
We will definitely be in touch to set up another program with you in the future."

—Luck Elementary Teacher, 3rd Grade

“Thank you for the exceptional planning, communication and implementation of the event. It was very well organized and the educators were well prepared for our group. Our girls had a great day!”

—Girl Scout Troop 57688

“Our classes were engaged throughout the sessions and it was an excellent experience. [The] naturalists worked very well with the kids - it was clear they enjoyed interacting with them and were very comfortable with teaching.”

—St. Patrick’s Elementary Teacher, 4th Grade (Hudson)

“Thank you and your staff for an amazing afternoon of learning about water and our river systems. Our third graders had so much fun. We came back to the classroom to summarize what they had learned, and each student could verbalize something they had remembered from each activity. Thank you for taking the time to plan engaging stations, and for visiting our River Crest third grade." 

—Mary Glasbrenner, 3rd Grade Teacher, River Crest (Hudson)

How to Request a Program

STEP 1

Learn about the K-12 programs we offer in our Teacher's Guide. Choose the program(s) that suit your class.

STEP 2

Send us your program request. Once the form has been submitted, you will be contacted to schedule your program.

For questions or more information, contact Katrina Schlicker or call: 715-483-3300  EX 28

Register Now For St. Croix Youth Summit | Thursday, April 18, 2024

In 2023, students learned about:

  • Local renewable energy efforts and their global effects.
  • Weaving indigenous science and culture with "western" academic sciences to create climate literacy.
  • The parallels between the lives of trees and humans.
  • Ways climate change affects the spread of invasive species and what conservationists are doing to help.
  • How to get involved with Climate Justice as a youth activist.
  • And more!
Our virtual day of learning, St. Croix Youth Summit, returns again Thursday April 18th. Each year this partnership with Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (NPS) brings virtual learning into the classroom for elementary and middle school students about Riverway biology, climate change, natural resources, and more. And thanks to our generous supporters and sponsors of our mission, we are able to keep it FREE to all.
Leading up to this year's event, we will feature daily online learning experiences on our social platforms. Make sure to follow along and share to stay up to date.
Early-bird registration special: Register now for Youth Summit, between Feb. 19th to March 1st, and you will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win $50 gift card to Outdoor Learning Store.
Registration is now open!

Rivers Are Alive ONLINE

The National Park Service and the Wild Rivers Conservancy invite you to learn about and experience the wonders of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway through Rivers Are Alive. Whether in the classroom, at the river, on the river, or at home, your students can learn about invasive species, macroinvertebrates, birds, and so much more. Click on the links below to learn more about Rivers Are Alive ONLINE series.

Rivers Are Alive Teacher Workshops

Empower yourself to become the riverway steward your students can look up to!

Join Wild Rivers Conservancy, National Park Service, and elementary teachers like YOU by diving deep into our K-12 environmental education curriculum, Rivers Are Alive. We will spend the day exploring engaging activities, educating ourselves on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and it’s watershed, and reconnecting with nature through an outdoor adventure. 

2024 Teacher Workshop Dates

July 25th - Paddle Workshop
September 14th - Fall Colors Paddle Workshop
December 14th - Winter Workshop

RAA Winter Workshop Event (2)

Our Rivers Are Alive programming is made possible with support from:

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Chisago Co. Logo
Fred C & Katherine B Andersen Foundation Logo
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St Croix Valley Foundation Logo
Xcel Energy Foundation Logo
Pine Co. Logo
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Great River Energy
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MidWestOne-Bank
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For questions or more information, contact Katrina Schlicker or call: 715-483-3300 Ex 28