Tag Archives: St. Croix River

Invasive Species Control on the St. Croix River – Demonstration & Information

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The Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, National Park Service and Wild Rivers Conservancy are teaming up in a concentrated effort to stop the spread of Invasive Fish Species such as Silver and Bighead Carp in the upper Mississippi River basin, including the St. Croix River.

Come and see the Minnesota DNR’s new Electrofishing Boat  with on-the-water demonstrations of fish collection techniques in the bay north of the Hudson dike around 3pm and 5pm (water conditions permitting).

There will also be display booths at the Beach House Pavilion. You will have the opportunity to meet the Aquatics and Fisheries Biologists who are working hard to stop these large and voracious fish from out competing our native fish. These agencies will also have display booths with videos, mounted fish, technology demonstrations and printed materials. Information will also be available on controlling other aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to work with Minnesotans to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

Minnesota DNR’s invasive carp program takes an integrated approach to invasive carp prevention and management, focusing on actions that the DNR and partners can take to slow the spread of invasive carp, minimize their impact, and reduce the chance of invasive carp reproducing in Minnesota waters. Those actions include monitoring invasive carp in ways that enable us to respond, prevention and deterrence, response preparation, management and control, and communication, outreach, and coordination. Among other activities, our program tags and tracks invasive carp to learn about their movement patterns, monitors for evidence of reproduction, contracts commercial fishers to capture invasive carp, and works with partners to develop better ways to target invasive carp in Minnesota waters. More info on our invasive carp program is available online at: mndnr.gov/invasivecarp.

St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert

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The St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert  with guest conductor Cassie Berchard and vocalist Colleen Raye is popular RiverFest event.  This FREE concert celebrates community and the scenic St. Croix River with something for people of all ages.

You won’t want to miss this fun-filled family evening! Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and settle in to enjoy the show.

Featuring the Song for the River Croix, composed by Laurie Allmann and Carol Caoutte in 2009.  It was scored for the St. Croix Community Band by Kris Tjornehoj in 2014, when it was first performed for River Fest.

The RiverFest theme song will be played for a sing-along. View the lyrics to the RiverFest, It’s the Best! song.

See the RiverFest mascot Scrappy on display! Created by sculptor Mary Johnson, the splashing bass figure is metal armature. Each year students from the Phipps Center for the Arts “Just Add Water” art and science class help complete the sculpture by processing and re-purposing the litter collected in Hudson during the river cleanup to create a new “skin” for Scrappy.

St. Croix River Water Quality Discussion

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The public and Rotarians are invited to a free moderated panel discussion on the subject of river water quality, following regular meeting of Hudson Daybreak Rotary.

Michael Mroz, City of Hudson, Public Works and Parks Director, will describe the system for collecting and cleaning snow and rain from the City streets before discharge into the Willow and St. Croix Rivers. He will also describe actions residents of Hudson can take to limit the discharge of harmful chemicals to the rivers.

Tara Daun, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Director of Conservation and Stewardship, will describe the impaired condition of the St. Croix River and how rain and snow runoff from farm fields reaches the Willow and St. Croix Rivers. She will describe efforts by farmers in the watershed to limit the discharge of phosphorus and nitrogen to the rivers.

Buck Malick will moderate the panel. Hudson Community Channel 15 Cable TV will record the panel for later viewing.

Minnesota & Wisconsin National Scenic Riverway Tour

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Take a boat cruise of the scenic St. Croix River Valley and enjoy a fajita dinner. Presentations about our National Treasure, the St. Croix River, and remarks from leaders representing Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

Wisconsin Gov. Evers and Minnesota Gov. Walz have been invited, as have Natural Resources, Tourism and National Park Service Department Heads. 

Enjoy the tasty build your own Fajitas and special 2 for 1 Margaritas along with a full cash bar.

Boarding starts 45 minutes before the start of your trip. The boat leaves at 6:15pm sharp

  • Things to know!
  • A Cash Bar is available on board for cocktails and beverages.
  • We do not accept credit cards or checks on the boat.
  • If you are booking a large party we suggest you reserve tickets all at one time, so we may seat you all together.

Book your cruise here or use the QR code above.

Please use the promo code: RiverFest2023 to receive a $10 discount.

Tickets are also available at StCroixRiverCruises.com.
Promo code: RiverFest2023 to receive a $10 discount.

Tricia & the Toonies ENVIRO-FUN Puppets

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Tricia & the Toonies will bring together viewers of all ages in environmental awareness, teamwork and fun. Learn about the many ways of reducing the amount of trash we generate and to rethink, reuse, recycle!

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and settle in to enjoy the show.

Listen to the RiverFest song created by Tricia Haynes or view the lyrics to the RiverFest, It’s the Best! song.

Watch a video of the 2023 RivrerFest Toonies Puppet Show Thank you to River Channel for sharing this video.

Carpenter Nature Center’s Animals of the St. Croix

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Join Carpenter Nature Center (CNC) staff to learn about some of the amazing animals that call the St. Croix River Valley their home and meet them up close!

CNC is an environmental education and conservation organization with the mission of fostering appreciation and inspiring stewardship of the natural world. With campuses on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix River, CNC is able to preserve wildlife habitat while also providing quality educational opportunities.