Riparian Property Partnerships

Stewardship Local property owners are the best long-term stewards of the river, and it is important that they understand and take ownership of initiatives to protect and preserve their river and watershed. Local property owners are the best long-term stewards of the river, and it is important that they understand and take ownership of initiatives to protect and preserve their river and watershed. of the St. Croix Headwaters

Responsibility Over the years, for a variety of reasons, waterbody stewardship has gotten passed from local citizens to state agencies and local governmental units. Over the years, for a variety of reasons, waterbody stewardship has gotten passed from local citizens to state agencies and local governmental units. of the St. Croix Headwaters

Core Mission It is essential that river, lake, and watershed associations have as part of their core mission -- facilitation and empowerment of the stewardship efforts of local residents, particularly riparian property owners. It is essential that river, lake, and watershed associations have as part of their core mission -- facilitation and empowerment of the stewardship efforts of local residents, particularly riparian property owners. of the St. Croix Headwaters

Background – FOTSCH The Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters (FOTSCH) is a citizen- volunteer, non-profit organization focused on maintaining the overall health of the upper St. Croix River. The Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters (FOTSCH) is a citizen- volunteer, non-profit organization focused on maintaining the overall health of the upper St. Croix River. of the St. Croix Headwaters

“Perennials, Not Annuals” Currently, seventeen citizen-volunteers (almost all riparian property owners) are monitoring eight sites using WAV program. Currently, seventeen citizen-volunteers (almost all riparian property owners) are monitoring eight sites using WAV program. of the St. Croix Headwaters

Organization Serves Volunteers of the St. Croix Headwaters Volunteers Members Organization as Resource Center Grants Technology Experts Recognition

Citizen Ownership Residents are inherently proud of their river Residents are inherently proud of their river Residents want clean water, an improved fishery & wildlife habitat, and a better recreational experience Residents want clean water, an improved fishery & wildlife habitat, and a better recreational experience Awareness  Understanding  Appreciation  Ownership & Advocacy Awareness  Understanding  Appreciation  Ownership & Advocacy of the St. Croix Headwaters

Schoolhouse for Pride & Passion Pre-European times Pre-European times History since European settlement History since European settlement Native vs. Invasive species Native vs. Invasive species Current health of river Current health of river What should our “protect and preserve” goals & objectives be? What should our “protect and preserve” goals & objectives be? of the St. Croix Headwaters

Background – St. Croix River The 8-mile St. Croix River headwaters segment flows from the river’s source at Upper St. Croix lake to the St. Croix Flowage at Gordon. The 8-mile St. Croix River headwaters segment flows from the river’s source at Upper St. Croix lake to the St. Croix Flowage at Gordon. of the St. Croix Headwaters

Historic Significance The St. Croix River headwaters has great significance as it is part of the historic Boise Brule – St. Croix Waterway connecting Lake Superior and the Mississippi River. The St. Croix River headwaters has great significance as it is part of the historic Boise Brule – St. Croix Waterway connecting Lake Superior and the Mississippi River. of the St. Croix Headwaters

No Protective Designations Not part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Not part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Not protected by Wisconsin’s highest water quality standard called Outstanding Resource Waters Not protected by Wisconsin’s highest water quality standard called Outstanding Resource Waters of the St. Croix Headwaters

Current Status Headwaters segment rated 5th in importance among 1,494 stream segments in 20 northern Wisconsin counties Headwaters segment rated 5th in importance among 1,494 stream segments in 20 northern Wisconsin counties of the St. Croix Headwaters (Northern Rivers Initiative)

Summary “Grassroots” river support essential “Grassroots” river support essential Property owners as primary stewards Property owners as primary stewards Friends group approach to organization Friends group approach to organization FOTSCH mission is to empower stewards FOTSCH mission is to empower stewards Make it easy & fun to participate Make it easy & fun to participate Knowledge and involvement are key to results Knowledge and involvement are key to results Year-around volunteer connection Year-around volunteer connection of the St. Croix Headwaters

Thank You! FOTSCH Volunteers FOTSCH Volunteers Natural Resources Foundation C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program Natural Resources Foundation C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program Citizen-based Monitoring Partnership Grant Program Citizen-based Monitoring Partnership Grant Program Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - River Protection Planning Grant Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - River Protection Planning Grant UW-Extension Water Action Volunteers (WAV) UW-Extension Water Action Volunteers (WAV) UWSP Center for Watershed Science and Education UWSP Center for Watershed Science and Education of the St. Croix Headwaters

Comments & Questions

“I think you should be more explicit” of the St. Croix Headwaters

Here’s A Specific: Here’s what’s happened with our group this year………… Here’s what’s happened with our group this year………… of the St. Croix Headwaters

More Specifics: of the St. Croix Headwaters

Connecting for Success Douglas County Assoc. of Lakes & Streams Douglas County Assoc. of Lakes & Streams Local lake associations (watershed perspective) Local lake associations (watershed perspective) UW-Stevens Point UW-Stevens Point Douglas County Conservationist Douglas County Conservationist Douglas County Forestry/Zoning Douglas County Forestry/Zoning Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Wisconsin Department of Agriculture of the St. Croix Headwaters

Operating for Success Social Events (meet the river meet the people) Social Events (meet the river meet the people) Communications Communications Web site Web site Listen to local issues & concerns Listen to local issues & concerns Accomplishment generator Accomplishment generator Water-quality monitoring Water-quality monitoring Scientific studies Scientific studies Invasive species identification & control Invasive species identification & control of the St. Croix Headwaters

Organizing for Success Key initial partners: Key initial partners: Wisconsin DNR Wisconsin DNR River Alliance of Wisconsin River Alliance of Wisconsin UW-Extension UW-Extension Basin Educator Basin Educator WAV WAV “Friends type” organization “Friends type” organization Pride & passion Pride & passion of the St. Croix Headwaters