Waterfowl species within the St. Croix Valley include trumpeter swans, common loons, and many types of ducks. Read on to learn more about some of our staff favorites!

The St. Croix River is a unique area, not only for its natural beauty, but also for its complex geological history. It is home to deep valleys and the world’s largest natural potholes (not just the ones on the road)! From one billion years ago to the present day, lava, water, and weather have shaped this area into what you see today.

After a long, harsh winter, these five plants are a perfect reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Fall, early winter, and spring are the easiest times to identify buckthorn. Read on to learn buckthorn ID and make plans to remove it!

Although fall colors are well known, it is not common knowledge what causes the change we see every year. So why do leaves change color?

The St. Croix watershed is a place of wonder and immense beauty. Many of us have made lifelong memories in the natural areas of the...

While many of us Midwesterners had a break from shoveling snow and bundling up this year, the lack of persistent winter temperatures...

When winter comes around, it feels as if everything slows down. Days get shorter, the weather gets gloomier, and plant growth diminishes....

Swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens–most people believe these words all refer to the same thing. But most people would be wrong. All four are...

Covering the span of nearly 600,000 acres, the St. Croix Watershed is home to thousands of landowners. Collectively, we have the...

As soon as the weather starts to warm up in the Midwest, garlic mustard begins to make its appearance throughout the landscape. Here are...

We’ve all seen tree rings before, but have you ever wondered what a tree ring actually is? And what can we learn from them? The...

What is Oriental Bittersweet? Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), also known as Asian bittersweet, is an invasive, woody vine...

Have you ever wondered how trees survive the bitter cold? Trees are rooted and cannot move, of course—which means they have nowhere to...

By Maria Young, Forestry Intern You may have learned about the water cycle in school, but did you know that there is also a carbon cycle?...

By Maria Young, Forestry Intern The water quality of the beautiful St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers has a surprisingly strong connection to...

Have you ever seen a flash of feathers outside your window and wondered who flew by? Birdwatching is one of my favorite outdoor...

Summer is officially here, and with the warm temperatures comes a forest that is fully green and alive! As a kid, visiting my grandma in...

Hunting for morels, the state mushroom of Minnesota, is a great way to begin your foraging journey. This year, I have made it a goal to...

On April 4, 2020, the St. Croix River Association (SCRA) was set to host a Maple Syruping Workshop geared towards landowners at Osprey...