Wild Rivers Conservancy Blog

Play in a Park: A Family Adventure in Mammoth Cave

By Sophia Patane | October 22, 2020

Written by Bethany Cox, Director of Development.   Getting out safely during a global pandemic to have a family adventure seems unrealistic. And yet, the Cox family needed to get…

Wild, Scenic, and Vulnerable: New Reports Highlight the Health of the St. Croix

By Sophia Patane | October 14, 2020

In the 1960s, “Save Our St. Croix” was a rallying cry for those who cherished the river that forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. This cry, together with the…

Branching Out: What’s New with My St. Croix Woods

By Sophia Patane | September 30, 2020

In honor of the launch of the new My St. Croix Woods website, we sat down with the Wild Rivers Conservancy’s Forestry Program Coordinator Nikki Henger to learn more about…

Field Trip: Veliger Tows

By Sophia Patane | August 27, 2020

Zebra mussels are a common aquatic invasive species (AIS) discussed around the Wild Rivers Conservancy office, but what exactly is a zebra mussel and why does it matter? Recognizable for…

Learning with the Land

By Sophia Patane | August 14, 2020

The Wild Rivers Conservancy contributed $40,000 to the city of Lakeland’s efforts in Sally Arneson’s neighborhood to stop stormwater erosion and plant native vegetation, all as part of a larger…

Protecting Our Oaks: A Woodland Owner Webinar Recap

By Sophia Patane | July 23, 2020

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘oak’? For me, the name is synonymous with a sense of security—every house I have lived in has had an…

Support of the Village of Osceola Exercising Extraterritorial Zoning for Mine

By Sophia Patane | July 21, 2020

The Wild Rivers Conservancy has been following the possible expansion of the old Rybak Mine, now owned by North 40 Resources in Farmington Township near Osceola, Wisconsin. We feel it…

Eternity in an Hour

By Sophia Patane | July 8, 2020

Everyone has something memorable about their commute to work. Whether it’s a landmark passed during the drive, or having to gently move a cat off an office chair when working…

Listening and Learning Together: A Message from Our Executive Director, Deb Ryun

By Sophia Patane | June 3, 2020

Dear River Friends, I write to you today with a heavy heart. The stress we all feel from the coronavirus was enough, but witnessing George Floyd’s death has left so…

Know Before You Boat: Slowing Down on the Lower St. Croix

By Sophia Patane | May 18, 2020

Boating on the St. Croix River offers opportunities for creating great memories and enjoying the unforgettable beauty of our National Scenic Riverway. At times like these, getting out onto the…

Reflections on the Willow River Family Snowshoe with the Advancement of Hmong Americans (AHA)

By Jane Rice | May 14, 2020

In 2013, former Governor Mark Dayton signed a proclamation to declare May 14 as Hmong American Day in Minnesota. Part of the official proclamation reads, “Today recognizes and celebrates the…

A Spirit of Collaboration: The Partnership of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Wild Rivers Conservancy

By Sophia Patane | April 24, 2020

It’s no secret that big tasks are made easier with the help of friends, and the management and protection of national parks is no exception. On this Friendship Friday of…

Wild Rivers Conservancy Outside: Paddle Prep

By Jane Rice | April 21, 2020

The weather is getting warmer and the river is opening up! It’s time to get ready to paddle the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers this summer. Here’s a step-by-step guide…

From Tree Sap to Syrup: Learn How to Tap Your Maple Trees with Don Hansen

By Nichole Henger | April 17, 2020

On April 4, 2020, the Wild Rivers Conservancy was set to host a Maple Syruping Workshop geared towards landowners at Osprey Wilds. The event would include activities such as identifying…