Working For Our River

Photo by Peg Boike. 2013 Photo Contest

Mission and Goals

St. Croix River Association’s (SCRA) mission is to protect, restore and celebrate the St. Croix River and its watershed. With an approach based on partnerships, SCRA is 501(c)3 non profit working to realize a vision for the St. Croix as a place where rivers run free and clean, a diverse habitat sustains our unique and diverse flora and fauna, people have access to our National Park and the park flourishes, towns throughout the basin thrive, and people celebrate the river.

Our History

Photo by Philip Schwarz. 2013 Photo Contest

Founded in 1911, SCRA is the oldest citizen organization in Minnesota focused on natural resources. Civic leaders originally created SCRA to encourage stewardship of what is now a designated U.S. wild and scenic river. Until 2009 our efforts were led solely by volunteers, and focused on river cleanups and informational meetings in the lower river.

Since then the organization has worked throughout the St. Croix watershed, expanded the board of directors to twenty-one members, and hired four paid staff. SCRA sponsored activities and initiatives have grown exponentially over these four years.

Photo by Jeff Bucklew. 2012 Photo Contest

Our Work

SCRA’s efforts have won broad recognition, and have generated substantial results. While the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is a breathtakingly beautiful and ecologically vibrant National Park, we cannot take for granted our unspoiled rivers or their diverse habitat. In 2013, SCRA completed a project that leveraged a $500,000 Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment project into a $1,035,592 investment in pollution reduction projects. These dollars translate to hundreds of pounds of phosphorus no longer running off into our rivers and streams. SCRA’s River Awareness Week has grown to include a multi-day river festival in Hudson, an on-river workshop for elected officials, groups doing river cleanups, and more.

Photo by Brittney Johnson. 2012 Photo Contest

Our outreach programs have engaged thousands of citizens in public education and stewardship activities, including training to detect and report invasive species and toxic algae, urban storm water education, art, poetry, music and other celebrations. SCRA assistance has helped protect lands that include large swaths of forest and public access areas. Our ability to move swiftly to act on time-sensitive issues, and our ability to work across political boundaries in two states, has made SCRA the “go to” group for addressing emerging concerns that affect the St. Croix and its watershed that includes 21 tributaries.

Help us work on behalf of the river, and the watershed, by exploring this website and please consider making a donation today.