St. Croix River Association receives grant from Andersen Corporation

Windows manufacturer based in Bayport makes major gift for long-term protection of the river as part of expansion plan.

July 19, 2018

2 minute read

Deb Ryun (center) accepts the donation from Anderson Corp.’s Eliza Clark (left) and CEO Jay Lund (right). (Photo courtesy St. Croix River Association)

The St. Croix River Association (SCRA) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Andersen Corporation to support watershed protection efforts. This is the first major gift given to the newly created St. Croix Watershed Protection Fund (SCWPF).

This SCWPF will ensure SCRA can respond to the increasing needs and threats of the watershed, and address critical problems and issues as they emerge. Deb Ryun, SCRA Executive Director said, “At this pivotal time in history, we are launching the St. Croix Watershed Protection Fund to ensure the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway remains an ecological, cultural, and community treasure for the next 50 years, and for as long as the river flows.”

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. From this Act, the St. Croix and the Namekagon rivers became the country’s first wild and scenic river national park—the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The St. Croix River Association is the official non-profit partner of the Riverway, and is the only organization focused solely on the St. Croix River and its watershed.

It took extraordinary visionaries, like Senator Gaylord Nelson and Vice President Walter Mondale, to create this national park. Today, SCRA is charged with building on this legacy and moving boldly forward to ensure the park is protected and preserved forever.

According to Eliza Clark, Director of Sustainability and Environmental at Andersen Corporation, the company’s roots are connected to the St Croix River and serves as a daily reminder of the organization’s role of being good stewards of this natural resource. In turn, Andersen Corporation is committed to operating sustainably and producing sustainable products.

Additional information:

Via Anderson Corporation:

Andersen Corporation broke ground May 24 on a 60,000 square foot expansion of its manufacturing campus in Bayport, Minn. The $40 million expansion is expected to create at least 40 full-time production jobs to support growing demand for products made with Andersen’s proprietary Fibrex® material.

“In conjunction with this building expansion, we are also investing in environmental initiatives, including an infiltration basin for stormwater management and native plantings that will provide water quality benefits to the St. Croix River,” said Chris Galvin, senior vice president of manufacturing and logistics for Andersen Corporation. “This combined investment supports the long-term sustainable growth of Andersen’s flagship manufacturing site.”