Welcome New Board Members
Wild Rivers Conservancy is pleased to welcome our 2026 slate of new board members. Over the past year, our Board Affairs Committee led a thoughtful and intentional recruitment process to…
Paddling Through the Years
Celebrating the Legacy of the Conservancy’s River Adventures For more than a decade, Wild Rivers Conservancy’s multi-day paddle trips have brought together people who share a love for adventure, community,…
Government Shutdown Update: Standing Together for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Government Shutdown Update: Standing Together for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Matt Poppleton | Executive Director Dear Friends of the Riverway, As the federal government shutdown continues, it is…
Government Shutdown Update: Impacts on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Government Shutdown Update: Impacts on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Matt Poppleton | Executive Director Dear Friends, As you may know, the federal government has shut down. This has…
The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Needs Your Voice
A Letter from the Executive Director On February 14, more than 1,000 National Park Service (NPS) staff lost their jobs, including dedicated team members at the St. Croix National Scenic…
Five Spooky Creatures of the St. Croix River
As the days grow shorter and the chill of autumn settles in, the wild and scenic St. Croix River reveals a mysterious side that’s often hidden beneath its serene waters…
A Evening Celebrating Deb Ryun
Over 230 Riverway supporters came together on June 26th in Stillwater to celebrate the 15 years of work of our first Executive Director Deb Ryun. Through Deb’s leadership, Wild Rivers…
Adaptive Riverway Recreation
By October Yates, Outdoor Program Support, Wild Rivers Conservancy We’ve all noticed how high and mighty the St. Croix and its tributaries are flowing this summer thanks to the abundant…
The Wonderful Birds of the St. Croix
The trees and fields of the St. Croix Riverway and its watershed are home to many rare, endangered, and vulnerable bird species. The Riverway and watershed serve as an important…
Wild Rivers Conservancy hires next Executive Director Matt Poppleton
Photo courtesy of Matt Poppleton Osceola, WI – The Wild Rivers Conservancy Board and Staff are pleased to share the hiring of the organization’s next Executive Director, Matt Poppleton. Poppleton…
My, What Yellow Flowers You Have: Yellow Flag Iris and Its Impacts
With warming spring temperatures comes the return of birdsong, rain showers, and beautiful blooms sprouting throughout the landscape. However, these blooms may include a particular yellow flowering plant to keep…
Poe-tree
Youth Summit 2024 – Virtual Activity 2 As our 2024 Youth Summit event approaches rapidly, we are continuing the fun learning activities for students and classrooms. This week, we’re creating…
Tell Your Park Story
Author: Wild Rivers Conservancy and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Our National Park spaces across the country are a treasure to be enjoyed by all. Many visitors have built…
Window Phenology
Youth Summit 2024 – Virtual Activity 1 Spring represents new beginnings. Transitioning from winter to spring marks a period of renewal–from gray to green landscapes, longer daylight, and wet snowfalls…
Plan Your Garden Today for Pollinators Tomorrow
Late winter many of us dream about gardening, a wonderful distraction from the gray, winter months. Perennial plants can and should be included in planning your gardens. In fact, many…
Summer Dreaming on the St. Croix
Our wild and scenic St. Croix River has so much to explore, and one of the best ways to experience all that our national park has to offer is from…
Winter Bird Feeding
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…
Emerald Ash Borer: A Small but Destructive Insect
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…
Giving Back to the Riverway
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.
Discovering Nocturnal Animals of the Riverway, by Water or Land
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.
Your Land, Your Legacy – Permanently Protect your Property
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?
A Non-Profit Within the Community, Supported by the Community
In the heart of our close-knit community lies your local conservation-based non-profit organization, Wild Rivers Conservancy.
A River of Purple: Invasive Purple Loosestrife within the St. Croix Watershed
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.
Responsible River Recreation
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…
My Deep, Abiding Love for the River,
by Dan Willius
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.…
Reflections on a Lifetime of Stewardship,
by Peter Gove
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.”
Birding by car along the St. Croix
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…
2023 Award Recipients
“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.”
National Park Week: Celebrating Our Own Wild and Scenic National Park
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,…
Saving the Winged Mapleleaf Mussel from Extinction
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.