Lower St. Croix River Workshops

The St. Croix River Partnership Team and Lower St. Croix Management Commission, with planning assistance from the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, has been co-sponsoring a series of workshops since 2008 to inspire and educate local officials, property owners, and the general public about issues affecting the Lower St. Croix River. All are welcome to attend upcoming workshops, or download materials and resources from past workshops.

Upcoming Workshops

Watch for information on upcoming 2012 workshops.

Past Workshop Materials & Resources

Challenges and Solutions - Your Role in Protecting the St. Croix Workshop on the Water

Held June 29, 2011, Hudson Cruise Lines, Hudson, WI

This on-the-water workshop provided an opportunity for local elected and appointed officials and community leaders to engage in issues and solutions about the St. Croix and land use within the basin. The workshop provided a perspective on the interactions between land and water that can only be seen and learned by taking the time to get out on the River and look back at the landscapes in which we live.

Materials related to the workshop can be downloaded by clicking on the items below.

Putting the Pieces Together: From a River's Point of View

Held July 21, 2010, Hudson Cruise Lines, Hudson, WI

This workshop featured a boat trip upriver from Hudson, Wisconsin to Stillwater, Minnesota and back. Onboard, over 100 attendees heard from local government officials and staff, who shared stories about projects they have implemented and challenges they face in rural, developing and fully developed communities on both sides of the river. Attendees were given an opportunity to piece together information they learned on pollutants and monitoring activities in the St. Croix basin with tools and strategies to make a difference for the better.

Materials related to each learning station can be downloaded by clicking on the items below. Materials are not available for all stations. Caution: Large files.

A View from the River

Held June 17, 2009, Hudson Cruise Lines, Hudson, WI

This workshop featured a boat downriver from Hudson, Wisconsin to the confluence with the Kinnickinnic River and back. Over 100 people participated, including appointed and elected officials and staff from municipalities along both sides of the river and numerous other agencies and interest groups. This on-the-water experience provided participants with an opportunity to see first-hand how land use practices have affected the Lower St. Croix River and learn more about the river ecosystem at a variety of learning stations.

Materials related to each learning station can be downloaded by clicking on the items below. Materials are not available for all stations. Caution: Large files.

A NEMO Workshop for the St. Croix Minnesota Watershed Basin:
Linking Land Use to Water Resource Management

Held April 25, 2009 at the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

This Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) workshop expanded on the topics presented at Workshop II to further build the knowledge and skills of local decision makers, elected and appointed officials, and community leaders in the area of water and natural resources management. The unique workshop capitalized on the new WATER exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Funding for this workshop was provided by the McKnight Foundation.

Presentation materials are not available from this workshop.

Linking Land Use with Water Quality

Held March 31, 2009 at the Stillwater Library, Stillwater, MN

This workshop focused on how land use activities can contribute to declining water quality in the Lower St. Croix River, and provided local governments and landowners with tools and resources to protect it. Presentation materials can be downloaded by clicking on the agenda items below. Materials are not available for all presentations. Caution: Large PowerPoint files.

For additional information on topics and programs mentioned at the workshop, visit the following Web sites:

Building Partnerships in Resource Protection & Development

Held October 29, 2008 at the Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI

This workshop served as the kick-off for the series and was designed to celebrate the unique history and resources of the river, and provide an overview of its management and challenges. The workshop covered a variety of topics ranging from the history and health of the river to examples of local regulations and resource protection programs within the river basin. Sixty five people attended the workshop, including public officials and staff from 22 municipalities on both sides of the river; the National Park Service and other agencies; and representatives from a wide array of interest groups.

A DVD of this workshop will soon be available for purchase. Check this Web site for future information on how to place an order. Presentation materials can also be downloaded by clicking on the agenda items below. Materials are not available for all presentations. Caution: Large PowerPoint files.

Additional Planning Partners

Special thanks to the following partners for their expertise and contributions to the workshops:

  • St. Croix River Association
  • University of Minnesota Extension
  • Northland NEMO Program
  • St. Croix River Minnesota Watershed Basin Team
  • Washington Conservation District
  • East Metro Water Resource Education Program
  • Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization
  • National Park Service

Workshop Contact Information

To obtain additional information, please contact Michele Hanson at 651-259-5785, email: Michele.Hanson@state.mn.us