Dear St. Croix River Friend,
It might be cold outside, but that doesn't mean you have to be inactive. There are lots of activities going on throughout the watershed. Some inside, and some out. Check out the events listed below for ideas, then invite a friend or family member to join you there. If you must stay inside, but need a little warm-weather fix or a temporary fix for cabin fever,  browse these photos to warm up, it'll help to remember spring will come again. And now is the time to sign up for the 2014 Paddle St. Croix. Forty people have already registered and I know they are dreaming about being on-river. www.scrapaddle.org.

No matter the season, the St. Croix River watershed is a great place to adventure. I hope you can get out and enjoy it, be smart, but don't let the cold slow you down.

Stay warm and active,

Deb Ryun, Executive Director


2013 Namekagon Paddle

Golden Eagles: Wyoming vs. Wisconsin
Golden Eagles in Wisconsin? You bet, and Harvey Halversen, the Area Wildlife Supervisor for the WI DNR tell you all about them at the public library in Roberts, WI. Harvey studied Golden Eagles for five years before moving to WI in 1994. This event is sponsored by the St. Croix Valley Bird Club. Click here for more information.
Saturday, February 1, 9:30 a.m. at the Library, 211 W Warren Street, Roberts, WI

The Sheffield Site and Oneonta
People of the Oneota culture lived in the Midwest between 400 and 1000 years ago.  Clusters of their massive farming villages once dominated the river valleys and prairie landscapes of southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa (AD 1100 – 1500). The Sheffield site is an anomaly as the only large Oneota site known within the woodlands of the St. Croix valley, and differs from its southern cousins in a number of ways. This lecture, presented by Dr. Ed Fleming, of the Science Museum of Minnesota, will discuss current archaeological studies of this interesting site.

The presentation is free and open to the public, and will be held at the St. Croix River Association office, 230 South Washington Street, Unit 1, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Reservations are encouraged but not required. To reserve a space, call (715) 483-3300 or email info@scramail.com
Saturday, February 8, 10:00 a.m.
 
Candlelight Night at The Park
Experience a winter evening by candlelight as hundreds of candles are lit to guide skiers, snowshoers and hikers on separate trails.  Ski on the Skyline Cross-Country Ski Trail, snowshoe on the Ojibwa and Homestead Snowshoe Trails (snowshoes are available for use free of charge for ages 6 and up), or walk beside the St. Croix River.  There will be warming fires at the trailhead, and live music, food and refreshments available indoors at the Ice Age Center.
Saturday, February 8, from 6-9 p.m.


Photo by Jan Killian
Gaylord Nelson Audubon Society Meeting
Chris Stein, Superintendent of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, will be the featured speaker at the Gaylord Nelson Audubon Society Annual Meeting. He will talk about the sister park agreement between Midwest National Parks and Parks in Costa Rica. People interested in birds and joining this local Audubon chapter are encouraged to attend. The meeting is at the National Park visitor center at 401 Hamilton Street, St. Croix Falls, WI, directions signs will be posted.
Sunday, February 9, from 1-3:30 p.m.

Protecting the St. Croix
John Haack, UW-Extension Regional Natural Resource Educator, will discuss the water protection challenges he has faced working for the waters of the St. Croix basin. John has worked in regulation, shore-land protection, marketing, education and voluntary incentive-based measures, bringing vast experience to the discussion. John, the second SCRA Water Resource Forum Speaker, which are designed to engage people in discussions about existing and emerging issues that impact the St. Croix Watershed. The forum will be at the SCRA office, 230 South Washington Street; St. Croix Falls, WI
Wednesday, 12 February, 9:00 a.m.


Steve Rassler, photographer
Snowshoeing at Standing Cedars
Join St. Croix 360 and Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy for a hike around the Tewksbury property led by Conservancy president Steve Rassler. Steve will discuss its history, including a quarry and homestead, past land use, current state, and plans for its restoration. Click here to see more information. Free event, registration requested.
Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m.