Celebrating the St. Croix with Wild Rivers Conservancy

“The Riverway is what it is today because of the victories won in protecting this national park. Honoring those who effect change inspires the future of our work,” says Deb Ryun, executive director for the Conservancy.

The Watershed Stewardship Award will be awarded to Greg Seitz, founder, editor and publisher of St. Croix 360, an independent online news source that covers the 7,700-mile St. Croix watershed. Since 2010, Greg has been reporting on watershed issues and has grown an audience reach of over 20,000 monthly views.

“One of my greatest joys is spending time on the water with Greg. He's calm, inquisitive and takes great pictures,” said Ryun. 

“I know that after we've spent time on the river I can look forward to a wonderful story, capturing the essence of our rivertime. His investigative skills reflect his high standard of journalism and he is clearly motivated to do what's right for the St. Croix and its watershed. We are so lucky to have someone like Greg speaking on behalf of the Riverway,” she said. 

“I'm really honored because so many accomplished people and organizations have won it in the past," said Seitz. "And because there are so many worthy efforts underway to protect the river. I love doing what I do, and recognition from people I respect is really meaningful," he said. 

“Wild Rivers Conservancy is an important partner today and was instrumental in the first several years of St. Croix 360. They financially supported me until 2019, at which point St. Croix 360 became totally independent and funded solely by readers. I still rely on Wild Rivers Conservancy in many other ways. I think our missions are very complementary, as they do so much of the advocacy and stewardship that I seek to inform and inspire.

“I also have important relationships with ArtReach St. Croix, the North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area, the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, and many others.”

Seitz fell in love with the St. Croix River at a young age, “and I came to believe deeply in knowing and understanding my home territory. That made me very curious about the river, and the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to know. 

He has also have been passionate about writing since he was a child.

"I think my best work comes from writing about what I know best. Lastly, many people love learning about the river and care about protecting it, but staying up to date on all the complex issues today can be difficult. That's an area where I can help, and that's what I've tried to do.”

With his lifelong connection to the river and professional experience, Seitz said the list of environmental threats facing the St. Croix Watershed, “is getting longer.”

“If factory farms are allowed to operate along tributaries, the incredible amounts of manure they would spread on surrounding farm fields could end up polluting the St. Croix River. Climate change and invasive species could really alter the sensitive and special ecosystem, threatening wildlife and clean water,” he explained. 

“We've seen the use of the river increase in recent years, with too little public land for everyone who wants to enjoy it, and that can significantly affect everything from the sense of solitude to the wildlife. It also seems like there are always new residential and commercial developments being proposed that could detract from its Wild and Scenic values. These are all manageable challenges if everyone works together and keeps the good of the river front and center.”

According to Seitz, it’s not just one thing that makes the St. Croix Watershed special and unique, “It is the combination of things. Nowhere else has the unique characteristics that the St. Croix does. It's the combination of things like rare dragonflies, mussels, fish and birds, the geologic features, the thousands of years of human history, the beauty, wildness and solitude and the contemporary culture,” he said. “These pieces also intersect in many ways and combine to create something I'll probably spend my whole life trying to put into words — and I don't expect to ever succeed.”

“I'm so grateful to be among the many people and organizations dedicated to the river. I truly couldn't do what I do without everyone else — identifying threats, studying solutions, and doing the hard work of advocacy and conservation. St. Croix 360 readers provide stories and tips, read and share articles, and provide the financial contributions that make it all possible." 

“Every kid in the St. Croix”

Wild Rivers Conservancy will also present “Every Kid in the Croix” awards to River Grove charter school for prioritizing environmental education for their students by participating in the "Rivers Are Alive" program. River Grove is being recognized for their outstanding program engagement. 

“The Rivers Are Alive K-12 Environmental Education program reaches students throughout the St. Croix River Watershed. Classroom and field trip activities and lessons are student-centered and standards-aligned, while also being free to schools and teachers,” said said Jaime Souza, a first grade teacher at River Grove. 

“The name of the program itself teaches students a valuable lesson; rivers are very alive. There is rich and diverse life in and out of the water, and this program brings students to the river, but also brings the river to the students. Every one of our students goes through the program in a school year. There are different classroom programs and field trips offered in every season,” said Souza. 

Throughout the program, students get the opportunity to participate in special projects. 

“First grade classes at River Grove complete a science and social studies unit in the fall called Our River Home. They learn about the ecology, natural history, geology and human history of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. They get to visit the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway headquarters, meet National Park Service Rangers, learn what a National Park is, and begin to make connections for why this river is unique."

The unit wraps up with a project showcase where first graders present what they have learned during the Our River Home unit in small teams. 

 “During a science fair-type set-up, first graders take their fellow River Grove students and family members through a variety of hands-on activities and become the river teachers for an afternoon.At the end of the showcase, Park Rangers from the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and staff from the Wild Rivers Conservancy reward their efforts with a Jr. Ranger ceremony. Each first grader receives a certificate and Jr. Park Ranger badge.” 

According to Souza, “The biggest take-away for students are the personal connections they make to the place where they live, play and go to school. We all live in a watershed and when we have a personal connection to a place, we are more likely to care for it. These experiences are inspiring students to be environmental stewards, starting in kindergarten.”

In addition to River Grove, Luck Elementary School will also receive an award for outstanding engagement in the Rivers Are Alive program. The event will also feature Dan Willius, Peter Gove and A.W. "Bill" Clapp who were co-nominated for the Nelson-Mondale Award. The award, named after Senator Gaylord Nelson and vice president Walter “Fritz” Mondale and recognizes those who have made significant contributions to stewarding the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers.

For more information about the event, visit wildriversconservancy.org/event/open-water/