Published in partnership with the St. Croix River Association:
The biggest and best conference yet about the St. Croix River will take place at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on March 22 and 23. The St. Croix Summit has been expanded to two days for 2016, and will feature experts on numerous topics presenting information about the health of the St. Croix River and its watershed.
Also new this year, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, featuring movies focused on nature and environmental issues, is being presented during the Summit, on the evening of March 22.
The organizers welcome anyone interested in the river to attend, learn, ask questions, and share their passions and knowledge. It is presented by the St. Croix Basin Team, the interstate and inter-agency group working on environmental issues in the watershed, and the St. Croix River Association.
“We really want to gather river lovers and resource managers together to provide abundant learning opportunities about the St. Croix, and hopefully leave them inspired and more knowledgeable,” said Monica Zachay, water resources steward at the St. Croix River Association and a member of the conference planning team.
This year’s theme for the summit is Resiliency in Action: Communities and Resources. Speakers will share their expertise and insight on everything St. Croix: from K-12 education to phosphorus reduction strategies, from growth development planning to invasive species management.
More than 10 films will be screened during the Wild and Scenic Film Festival at Junior’s Bar & Restaurant on Tuesday evening. Attendees can buy a Klean Kanteen stainless steel pint cup at the event and get a free drink ticket, and become members of the St. Croix River Association at a discounted rate.
The feature film is called “Paddle for the North.” It follows six young men on a 900-mile, two-month canoe trip down the Peel River and other rivers in Canada’s Far North. Their trip was intended to be a mighty test of endurance, determination and friendship. But what they didn’t expect was the impact of the stories from one First Nations family. This chance encounter showed the team that the Peel Watershed debate is not just about protecting the environment, but also a way of life.
Attendees at both the conference and the film festival, gathered along the cold, clean, trout-filled Kinnickinnic River, one of the St. Croix’s most famous tributaries, will find inspiration and information about beloved rivers. Registration is available at www.stcroixriverassociation.org.
