Wild River Journey Connects Students to the St. Croix

Earlier this month, Sustainable Stillwater MN’s Bird City program partnered with Wild Rivers Conservancy for a successful Wild River Journey experience on the St. Croix River — and it was full of excitement, curiosity, and some incredible wildlife sightings.

Over two days, nearly 180 local 4th grade students stepped aboard a river boat to explore the St. Croix Riverway through hands-on environmental learning. SSMN volunteers helped lead the Birds & Binocs station, where students learned how to use binoculars, identify bird species, and observe wildlife in a real-world setting along the river.

And the birds definitely showed up.

Students spotted a bald eagle nest with an eagle perched nearby, watched Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants at the heron rookery, observed swallows nesting in the cliffs, and even saw Turkey Vultures soaring overhead. Along the way, they also learned about different bird flight patterns and behaviors while practicing observation skills with volunteers and educators.

The energy from the students was hard to miss. They were curious, engaged, and eager to participate throughout the experience — exactly the kind of connection to nature that programs like Wild River Journey are designed to inspire.

SSMN helped coordinate eight volunteers who supported the event across multiple sessions, contributing an estimated 66 volunteer hours to help make the experience possible.

This partnership reflects what community environmental education can look like at its best: local organizations, volunteers, and educators coming together to help young people build meaningful connections with the natural world around them.

Allison McGinnis, SSMN Bird City Stillwater Leader

A huge thank you to Allison McGinnis, all of the volunteers, and our partners at Wild Rivers Conservancy for helping create such a memorable experience for local students. We’re already looking forward to next year’s journey on the river.