Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix & Namekagon

The Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon overall goal is to make concrete progress in our mission to protect, restore and celebrate the St. Croix River and its watershed. We work throughout the watershed to protect and enhance the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, this national park that flows through its heart. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is comprised of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers. As the Friends Group for the Riverway, we create opportunities for people to experience and care for it.

The protection and celebration of our natural places not only supports the economy of our communities, which benefit from the millions of Riverway visitors each year, it is vital to who we are. It is essential that we protect this special place now and for generations to come. Our two overarching objectives are to effectively:
• Connect more people to the St. Croix through education and stewardship programs and broader communications efforts; and
• Protect and enhance the River and its basin through our land and water initiatives.

The Conservancy works throughout the watershed to protect the national park that flows through its heart. Our staff along with interns, volunteers and partners, conducts activities to meet these objectives:
• Ensure improved water quality and ecological health through thoughtful and strategic private, local, state and federal investments.
• Raise awareness and create a shared understanding about the threats, needs, resources and value of the St. Croix River and its watershed.
• Establish and implement common sense policies and communication strategies to advance the protection of the St. Croix.
• Create vibrant natural areas where people of all ages and income levels can access the St. Croix, participate in stewardship programs, and enjoy the health benefits of River time.

Land & Water Protection and Improvement
The Conservancy takes a holistic approach to watershed protection and renewal. We leverage resources to implement nutrient pollution reduction projects for improved water quality of the St. Croix basin. The Conservancy restores unique ecosystems and wildlife habitat to ensure survival of our region’s rare and endangered species. We identify and protect high quality forest lands from conversion by engaging private woodland owners in stewardship planning, sustainable forest management, and permanent protection programs. In the lower Riverway we advocate for the adherence and strengthening of Riverway protections by providing training opportunities for local elected officials, realtors, and citizens.

River Connections: Experiences, Education and Action
The River Connections program brings people of all ages to the river through inspirational adventures, community forums, engaging educational opportunities, and stewardship projects that make a difference. River Connections builds community, and creates relationships with rivers that inspire and encourage action to protect our water. The Rivers Are Alive K-12 environmental education program is an especially important component of the River Connection effort, as we strive to connect young people, the future stewards of the Riverway and watershed, with meaningful discovery and nature-based experiences.

Invasive Species Prevention and Control
The invasive species program combats non-native invasive species that are a serious threat to the St. Croix River and its watershed. The Conservancy's regionally adopted invasive species strategic plan addresses basin-scale problems. This plan guides our and other agency activities to combat invasive species. We follow emerging invasive species issues and we are the information hub for prevention and detection. We also take rapid response actions to protect the diverse, high-quality plant and animal communities that are critical to maintaining a resilient system. We train and equip landowners with the knowledge and tools necessary to control the spread of invasive species on their own land.

The Conservancy has 21 board members, and 12 full-time staff, with up to 12 interns and seasonal employees during the summer. We anticipate that more than 6,000 volunteer hours in SCRA-sponsored activities in 2022. As the Friends Group for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, we partner everyday with the National Park Service staff on education initiatives, land and water protection, invasive species detection and prevention, and public access programs.

The Conservancy is the only nonprofit focused specifically on the St. Croix River. SCRA fills the need for basin-based leadership that leverages resources and crosses political boundaries to work more effectively for watershed protection and enhancement. In addition to our strong partnership with the staff at the Riverway, we actively work with more than 75 organizations with an interest in the river from county soil and water districts to land trusts, nature centers, schools, the Lac Courte Oreilles boys and girls club, sporting groups and nonprofits ranging from small friends organizations to large national conservation groups.

We have a diverse funding strategy that includes a stable base of support from individuals, businesses, foundations, government grants, and earned income. Individual and corporate donors are an important part of our funding strategy. The membership base has grown to over 1,000 donors, with 90 individuals and businesses that make annual donations of $1,000 or more, and a legacy program with about 14 individuals that have included the Conservancy in their estate plans.

A number of local and national foundations recognize the value of our work. Key funders include the A. B. Walker Foundation, Fred C. Andersen Foundation, National Park Foundation, Riverway Fund at the St. Croix Valley Foundation, Wisconsin Bird Foundation and Xcel Energy Foundation. Government programs also provide an important source of support for specific projects. Samples of our program support includes funding from The Minnesota Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and both Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources.

The St. Croix River Association (SCRA) was founded in 1911 by people who valued, and understood the need to steward, the St. Croix River. For the first 98 years of its history, the association efforts were limited in scope and geography, and led exclusively by volunteers. In 2008 SCRA became a non-profit organization, expanding stewardship efforts to the whole watershed to address the growing threats to water quality and habitat. The first permanent staff was hired in 2009, and in 2011 SCRA became the Friends Group for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. In May of 2021, we announced our new name, "Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix & Namekagon. In our 10th year as the official non-profit partner we have renewed our commitment to the Riverway with an updated Friends agreement, and strengthening our ability to support our national park.

Today, the Conservancy has eleven professional staff that work consistently to target and prioritize conservation efforts that result in the greatest pollution reduction, land conservation, and stewardship growth. The Conservancy works in partnership with many groups to fulfill our core functions, and has become the "go-to" group for addressing issues that affect the St. Croix watershed and this national park. Highlights of our work include:
• Managing the identification and funding of comprehensive water monitoring and phosphorus reduction activities in the St. Croix River watershed.
• Building the Healthy Forest Protection program, the first of its kind in our watershed to permanently protect valuable forestland for water quality benefits and habitat protection through conservation easements and acquisition.
• Providing an internship program that gives future conservation leaders the practical skills and experience they need to strengthen their resume, and expand capacity for natural resource protection and the opportunities for people to experience Riverway.
• Coordinating the St. Croix – Red Cedar Cooperative Weed Management Area team to raise multigenerational awareness of invasive species and deliver unified terrestrial management across in five counties in Wisconsin.
• Working across with federal, state and local entities to implement the watershed-wide AIS Strategic Plan strategies for the St. Croix.
• Engaging youth and adults in fun river recreation and exploration experiences that include inspiring conservation stories, hands-on ecology and stewardship activities
• Helping landowners develop stewardship plans and carry out management practices for their woodlands to ensure healthy forests that provide wildlife habitat and protection.