Wild Rivers Conservancy Blog

St. Croix River, photo by Craig Blacklock

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

By Tanner Stofferahn | May 2, 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.”

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.” 

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.”

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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…

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.

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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! …

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…

A Handy Guide to Permanently Protecting Your Woodlands

By Sophia Patane | April 29, 2021

Forestry Did you know your woodlands have a superpower? With over 2,000 miles of tributary waterways and a 7,800 square mile watershed, woodlands might not be the first thing that…

Springing Ahead with the River

By Sophia Patane | March 22, 2021

Forestry Springtime is a welcome sight in the Riverway, but winter still feels like a close companion as pieces of ice parade their way downstream.  During this time of year,…

Explore the Namekagon with Wild Rivers Conservancy’s Three-Day Paddles

By Sophia Patane | February 22, 2021

Forestry Many people have found solace in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway during the uncertainties of 2020. For participants in the Wild Rivers Conservancy Namekagon Three-Day Paddles, the solace…

Meet Our Board: Stu Neville

By Sophia Patane | February 22, 2021

Forestry It’s no understatement to say that the Namekagon River flows through the life of Stu Neville. As an Wild Rivers Conservancy Board member, Stu brings a unique perspective on…

Wild Watershed: Animal Tracks

By Sophia Patane | February 10, 2021

Forestry by Jeremiah Walters, Wild Rivers Conservancy Naturalist There are many ways to see wild animals in the St. Croix River watershed, but you may find yourself looking for the…

Nature Journaling in the Riverway

By Sophia Patane | January 28, 2021

Forestry Around the same time I moved to the Riverway a few years ago, I picked up a copy of Clare Walker Leslie’s The Curious Nature Guide at a bookstore…

Finding Peace in Our Park

By Sophia Patane | December 28, 2020

Forestry Deb Ryun, Executive Director When did you visit? “I return to it often.” “Biking, hiking or driving on the back roads of the Fish Lake Wildlife area is a…

A Walk in the Woods: How the 52 Hike Challenge Saved My 2020

By Kate Wright | December 17, 2020

A Walk in the Woods: How the 52 Hike Challenge Saved My 2020 After a nearly decade-long hiatus away from the St. Croix Valley, I found myself constantly seeking out…

Giving Thanks

By Sophia Patane | November 25, 2020

Forestry As we reflect on all we have to be thankful for, we can’t help but think of you-the wonderful community of members, donors, volunteers, and river lovers that care…

Finding Phragmites

By Sophia Patane | November 11, 2020

Finding Phragmites Imagine a grass that can grow to heights of 12 to 20 feet. For invasive phragmites, the sky might seem to be the limit, which makes monitoring efforts…