Wild Rivers Conservancy Blog

Winter Bird Feeding

By Katrina Schlicker | January 5, 2024

Changing of the seasons also brings a change in what birds we see. While some birds migrate from their breeding grounds here in the north to warmer temperatures and more…

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Emerald Ash Borer: A Small but Destructive Insect

By Maria Young | December 4, 2023

Emerald Ash Borer-when hearing the name of these invasive insects, some may think of the beautiful jewel after which it is named. But those who are familiar with Emerald Ash…

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Giving Back to the Riverway

By Sierra Stukenholtz | November 3, 2023

As we wake to dark mornings and endure the shorter days, we are reminded that winter is here and holidays are just around the corner.

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Discovering Nocturnal Animals of the Riverway, by Water or Land

By Katrina Schlicker | October 5, 2023

As the weather turns cooler, the days get shorter, and the animals feel the motivation to start preparing for winter. It also happens to be an excellent time to paddle down the St. Croix or Namekagon Rivers, even if the changing hours of daylight may require us to pack a few extra accessories: a headlamp or flashlight.

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Fog rises from the river on a sunny morning with pines in the background. Photo: Craig Blacklock

Your Land, Your Legacy – Permanently Protect your Property

By Alexis Monti | September 1, 2023

It will take people to protect large intact forest patches, sustain riparian forests, and restore and protect lands that make the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway so special. So what can private landowners do?

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A Non-Profit Within the Community, Supported by the Community

By Bethany Cox | August 4, 2023

In the heart of our close-knit community lies your local conservation-based non-profit organization, Wild Rivers Conservancy.

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Purple Loosestrife blooms around a wetland. Photo by Katie Sickmann

A River of Purple: Invasive Purple Loosestrife within the St. Croix Watershed

By Maria Young | July 7, 2023

The next time you take a fishing trip on the Namekagon river or paddle down the St. Croix, keep a close eye on the river banks.

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Responsible River Recreation

By Katrina Schlicker | June 9, 2023

With summer temperatures here to stay, nothing sounds better than a day exploring the St Croix National Scenic Riverway. Whether it’s hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or birdwatching, it’s smart…

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St. Croix River, photo by Craig Blacklock

My Deep, Abiding Love for the River,
by Dan Willius

By Tanner Stofferahn | May 2, 2023

AWARD RECIPIENT SPOTLIGHT Nelson-Mondale Legacy Award Recipient Remarks by Dan Willius I am deeply honored to have my name linked to the legacy of Senators Gaylord Nelson and Walter Mondale.…

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Reflections on a Lifetime of Stewardship,
by Peter Gove

By Tanner Stofferahn | May 1, 2023

Let’s remember what Congress concluded 55 years ago this coming October — “that certain selected rivers of the Nation …possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be  preserved in free-flowing condition, and …protected for the benefit and enjoyment of  present and future generations.” 

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St. Croix River, photo by Craig Blacklock

Birding by car along the St. Croix

By Katrina Schlicker | May 1, 2023

As the snow begins to melt, the temperatures gradually warm, and the buds start to blossom on the trees, it’s a sure sign that migratory birds will soon make their…

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2023 Award Recipients

By Tanner Stofferahn | April 25, 2023

“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.”

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National Park Week: Celebrating Our Own Wild and Scenic National Park

By Wendy Tremblay | April 3, 2023

Can you name all the national parks in Minnesota and Wisconsin? Here’s a hint: one of them is a border river uniting the two states. Spanning both Minnesota and Wisconsin,…

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Saving the Winged Mapleleaf Mussel from Extinction

By Kate Wright | March 31, 2023

The River Connections team recently spent a few hours at Crex Meadows for an off-site team-building excursion. This dynamic team focuses on education and community engagement by creating programs and experiences that enable others to explore, support, and learn about the St. Croix River watershed.

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Speak for the River:
Say No to Namekagon RV Camp

By Deb Ryun | March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023 Washburn County Zoning 10 4th Avenue Shell Lake, WI 54871 Dear Administrator Beers, Chair Ford, and Zoning Committee Members, On behalf of Wild Rivers Conservancy of the…

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Harmful Algal Blooms

By Katie Sickmann | March 3, 2023

If you’ve spent time exploring the St. Croix, you know our cherished river possesses two distinct valleys. Learn about how the unique geological features influenced use, growth, and protection.

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Lake Sturgeon of the St. Croix
and Namekagon Rivers

By Katie Sickmann | February 27, 2023

If you’ve spent time exploring the St. Croix, you know our cherished river possesses two distinct valleys. Learn about how the unique geological features influenced use, growth, and protection.

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Experience the Difference—
Places Changed by Protection

By Sarah Clark | September 28, 2022

If you’ve spent time exploring the St. Croix, you know our cherished river possesses two distinct valleys. Learn about how the unique geological features influenced use, growth, and protection.

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How Cooperation Created Today’s
Lower St. Croix River

By Sarah Clark | July 27, 2022

If you’ve spent time exploring the St. Croix, you know our cherished river possesses two distinct valleys. Learn about how the unique geological features influenced use, growth, and protection.

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“The Crush is On”
The Race to Protect the Lower St. Croix

By Sarah Clark | June 28, 2022

If you’ve spent time exploring the St. Croix, you know our cherished river possesses two distinct valleys. Learn about how the unique geological features influenced use, growth, and protection.

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A Tale of Two River Valleys—
and Two Protection Anniversaries

By Sarah Clark | June 2, 2022

If you’ve spent time exploring the St. Croix, you know our cherished river possesses two distinct valleys. Learn about how the unique geological features influenced use, growth, and protection.

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A Few of Our Favorite Things

By Jenn Lutz | November 24, 2021

Give gifts like an expert with mindfully curated ideas from our outdoors-loving staff. With the amount of time that we spend enjoying the watershed, it’s hard to not fall in…

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River Connections Team Visits Crex Meadows…and Why You Should Too

By Jeremiah Walters | November 16, 2021

The River Connections team recently spent a few hours at Crex Meadows for an off-site team-building excursion. This dynamic team focuses on education and community engagement by creating programs and experiences that enable others to explore, support, and learn about the St. Croix River watershed.

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Camping the St. Croix River with Paddle North

By Sophia Patane | August 23, 2021

Forestry “The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life.It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are.”          Start…

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A Very Hungry Beetle: Fighting Purple Loosestrife Around the St. Croix River

By Sophia Patane | August 12, 2021

Forestry What is purple loosestrife? Pinkish-purple and very pretty, this semi-aquatic invasive species of plant grows in wet, moist soils. From freeway interchanges and ditches to wetlands, lakeshores, and riverbanks,…

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What’s New in the Watershed: Staff Update

By Sophia Patane | July 9, 2021

Forestry     “While I’m from this area, I haven’t worked in such proximity to the river. So the idea of deepening my connection with the St. Croix watershed is…

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Meet Our Board: Andrea Jorgenson

By Sophia Patane | June 15, 2021

Forestry For the members of the Wild Rivers Conservancy Board of Directors, protecting the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers and their watershed is an ongoing effortdriven by a deep love…

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Visiting the St. Croix or Namekagon? Don’t Miss These 5 Park Pairings

By Sophia Patane | June 11, 2021

Visiting the St. Croix or Namekagon? Don’t Miss These 5 Park Pairings       Trego Nature Trail + The Dock Coffee (Trego, Wisconsin) Trail length: 2.8 miles Notable trail…

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Rangers of the Riverway: Charlie

By Sophia Patane | May 26, 2021

Rangers of the Riverway: Charlie Get to know the rangers that work in and around the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway  in our new, quarterly “Rangers of the Riverway” series! …

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A New Chapter Begins for the St. Croix River Association

By Sophia Patane | May 13, 2021

Forestry           Nestled between Minnesota and Wisconsin, the St. Croix and Namekagon form the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, 255 miles of clean water flowing through…

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