Wild Rivers Conservancy Blog

A Evening Celebrating Deb Ryun

By Tanner Stofferahn | July 16, 2024

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…

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Adaptive Riverway Recreation

By Tanner Stofferahn | July 15, 2024

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…

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The Wonderful Birds of the St. Croix

By Katrina Schlicker | June 19, 2024

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…

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Wild Rivers Conservancy hires next Executive Director Matt Poppleton

By Tanner Stofferahn | May 28, 2024

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…

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My, What Yellow Flowers You Have: Yellow Flag Iris and Its Impacts

By Maria Young | May 19, 2024

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…

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Poe-tree

By Tanner Stofferahn | April 8, 2024

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…

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Tell Your Park Story

By Tanner Stofferahn | April 2, 2024

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…

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Window Phenology

By Tanner Stofferahn | March 28, 2024

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…

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Plan Your Garden Today for Pollinators Tomorrow

By Deb Ryun | March 6, 2024

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…

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Summer Dreaming on the St. Croix

By Wendy Tremblay | February 3, 2024

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…

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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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