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

Feel free to attend one, two, or all three workshops. We’ll be excited to see you there!

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. 

Workshop 1: 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, as well as strategies to ensure better 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 also be ample time to enjoy the river and talk with other local leaders from the region! Register at https://tinyurl.com/2024stcroixwow.

Workshop 2: 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.

Jackson Meadow is nestled in the prairie in Marine on St. Croix.

TiiGavo is located on beautiful Big Marine Lake in Scandia.

Workshop 3: workshop on water in northern chisago county

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, as well as strategies for promoting conservation in rural and agricultural areas.

Topics will include:

  • Strategies and approaches available to communities to help guide development and sustainable resource management

  • Promoting conservation in rural and agricultural areas

  • Showcasing local and regional ag producer efforts to adopt conservation practices

Register at https://tinyurl.com/stcroixwowland.

Lower St. Croix One Watershed-One Plan (LSC1W1P)