On a warm and windy July afternoon, people from throughout the St. Croix Valley boarded the Grand Duchess in Hudson for a few hours on the St. Croix, to talk about the St. Croix.

There are numerous cities, counties, watershed districts, townships, and other public agencies throughout the Valley.

The annual Workshop on the Water provides a chance for leaders at those organizations to get information, share ideas, and connect with colleagues. It all takes place on the big river that ties the communities together.

“A clean and healthy St. Croix brings natural, recreational and economic value to our communities,” the organizers said.

In the video above, hear from a few of the 115 folks who attended the event. 

This year, there were three main topics of conversation:

• One Watershed, One Plan for the St. Croix – collaborating across jurisdictional boundaries
• Educating for Action – putting stormwater education programs to work for you
• Into the Wild – celebrating the unique characteristics of the St. Croix as a National Wild and Scenic River

This workshop was presented by the St. Croix River Association, East Metro Water Resource Education Program, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Sea Grant, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Metro Watershed Partners.