Workshops on Water for Local Leaders

Calling all city council members, county commissioners, planning commissions, watershed supervisors, and other community leaders! Join us this summer for a series of workshops focused on practical approaches to conserving and restoring our water resources in the Lower St. Croix watershed. This is a chance to deepen your understanding of pertinent water concerns and management in our area and come away with new strategies and resources that will benefit your community and our waterways.

Our three workshop series will provide:

Local Insights: Learn directly from specialists in water resource management.
Practical Tools: We’ll provide clear, actionable strategies for tackling local conservation challenges.
Networking Opportunities: Meet and talk with fellow community leaders who are equally committed to making effective change

Thank you to all who attended our boat workshop and conservation tour! Make sure you join us for the last workshop in this year’s series: Building Resilient Rural Communities.

Funding and planning partners include: Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership, East Metro Water Education Program (EMWREP), National Park Service, Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, Polk County, St. Croix County, Washington County, Chisago SWCD, Isanti SWCD, Washington CD, Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix WD, and Middle St. Croix WMO.

Click to Register

Building Resilient Rural Communities

Monday, sept 30th, 6-8 pm
at Elleholm BARN in Center City
FREE

Learn strategies for protecting lakes, rivers, and wildlife habitat in small communities and rural areas of the Lower St. Croix Watershed. During this workshop, participants will learn about tools available to help small communities guide where and how development happens, strategies for promoting conservation in rural and agricultural areas, effective community stormwater pollution approaches, and how to best protect our lakes and shorelines.

Dinner will be provided.

COMPLETE! 16th Annual St. Croix River Workshop on the Water (WOW)

June 24th, 2024, 5 - 8 pm
St. Croix River Cruises aboard the grand duchess (out of hudson, WI)
$30 per person, includes dinner and cash bar

Join us for our 16th Annual St. Croix River WOW! Dive into an evening of fun and learning on the beautiful St. Croix River, and enjoy the view while networking with community leaders from Minnesota and Wisconsin.

This workshop will focus on actions local communities can take to protect their shorelines, strategies for dealing with sticky issues and variance requests, and Better Site Design for development and redevelopment projects. We'll also enjoy a keynote presentation by Daniel Peterson, Supervisory Park Ranger with the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

There will be ample time to enjoy the river and talk with other local leaders from the region in between sessions and you can expect to walk away with a Community Assistance Package and other resources! Register at https://tinyurl.com/2024stcroixwow.

Complete! Conservation development innovation tour in northern washington county

August 7th, 1-4 pm
start at brookside bar and grill, marine on st. croix
FREE

Join the Washington Water Consortium for a driving tour (coach bus) to visit three innovative examples of conservation development and permanent land protection in Marine on St. Croix, Scandia and May Township. Tour stops will include:

Jackson Meadow - a cluster style, conservation development in an upland area of Marine on St. Croix that features 190 acres of protected habitat, narrower roads and shorter driveways to reduce impervious surfaces, and a communal constructed wetland that removes up to 95% of pollutants from wastewater.
TiiGavo – a conservation development on Big Marine Lake in Scandia that features a shared community boat dock, raingardens and water quality treatment basins, and preserved natural habitat.
Kelly Farms - 3000+ acres of private land permanently preserved through partnership with Trust for Public Lake, MN DNR and Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program. 685 acres will be added to Big Marine Regional Park and 2,600 acres has been established as a DNR Wildlife Management Area.

We will begin and end our tour at the Brookside Bar & Grill in Marine on St. Croix, so you can grab a drink and a bite to eat before or after the event. There is no cost to attend but please register in advance so we know how many people to expect. Register at https://tinyurl.com/stcroixconservtour.