St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

St. Croix River region Heritage Area announces 2019 plans

Organization welcomes new board of directors and initiatives to promote region's history and culture.

By St. Croix 360 | December 14, 2018 | 2 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

Via North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area:

A group working to promote the St. Croix region’s story as one of national significance has seated its first formal board of directors and is launching new programs in 2019 to benefit the St. Croix watershed.

In 2019, North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area (NWW) will provide an online calendar for events sponsored by regional businesses, historical societies, chambers of commerce, arts groups and other organizations. It will support and expand the St. Croix Master Watershed Stewards program and will launch a watershed-wide speakers bureau, among other activities. Generous contributions from the Whitson Foundation, the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation, and the Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative as well as individual donors are helping NWW reach its goals on behalf of the region.

The NWW board will oversee the effort to designate the St. Croix watershed of Minnesota and Wisconsin a national heritage area. The designation will underscore the region’s unique landscape and contributions to American history. A volunteer group has been working for several years to document and gain support for status as a national heritage area, a federally recognized title that requires Congressional approval. In telling the region’s stories, NWW will highlight the histories of Native American tribes, the evolution of a sustainable lumber industry, and the immigrant experience. These stories convey the significance of the St. Croix watershed within the broader national history. In sharing them, and promoting the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the area, NWW board, advisors, and volunteers hops to encourage tourism and economic development in alignment with conservation of area social, natural, economic, and cultural resources.

For residents, celebrating Minnesota and Wisconsin’s iconic north woods and waters reinforces a distinctive sense of place and shared heritage. NWW aims to knit together the watershed’s diverse array of communities and organizations to share and protect natural, cultural, historic and scenic assets and to deepen residents’ knowledge of the resources in the St Croix River watershed.

In 2017 and 2018, NWW became a tax-deductible nonprofit. For the previous nine years, NWW Heritage Area has operated with an advisory committee under the auspices of the St. Croix Valley Foundation, according to Board Chair Martha Harding.

New board members include: Martha Harding (Chisago City, MN); Bill Neuman (Franconia Township, MN); Buck Malick (Hudson, WI); Carol LeBreck (Barnes, WI); Julie Smendzuik-O’Brien (Maplewood, MN); Lynne Moratzka (Scandia, MN); and Margaret Smith (River Falls, WI).

Other board members will be named in 2019, and representatives are sought from the entire watershed; those interested in serving on the board of directors or the four action committees, or wishing to contribute financially should contact Program Manager Alyssa Auten, northwoodsandwaters.manager@gmail.com. To stay in the loop on NWW progress and events find us on Facebook: @stcroixheritage.

Related

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

St. Croix 360 is 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest stories

  • No wakes allowed on lower St. Croix due to high water
  • Snake River Canoe Race sees fast times and smooth paddling
  • Developer proposes 12 new ‘cabins’ on St. Croix River

More news

  • Residents resist St. Croix Falls riverside development proposal
  • Birds, Bugs, and Blooms: A St. Croix 360 spring Saturday
  • Tribal officials applaud plan to change derogatory names for places
  • Stillwater teen drowns in St. Croix River while helping save friend
  • Afton State Park phenology May 13 to 19, 2022
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
 

Loading Comments...