St. Croix Valley Foundation supports training for new volunteers in the St. Croix region
In Woodbury, David Nuccio is prepping for a presentation he’ll give to a group of students at Northwestern University next week. Since becoming a Water Steward in 2021, he’s audited the irrigation system at his Homeowner’s Association, made recommendations to the city for better oversight of future development projects, and even secured a spot on the Washington Conservation District board of supervisors.
Nearby in Oakdale, Water Steward Kim Ury has focused her attention on her neighborhood wetland, where she has worked hard to remove invasive species and improve habitat for wildlife and pollinators. She frequently hosts tours to teach other people in the community about native plants and wetland ecology, and says she enjoys helping people connect with the landscape, “It’s the combination of ecological impact and community engagement that makes this work so fulfilling.”
In Stillwater, Water Stewards Barb Bickford and Mike McCarthy have leant their time and talents to the Friends of Lily Lake, helping to lead strategic planning sessions, removing buckthorn, building a gravel bed tree nursery, and planting more than 100 trees and shrubs in the woods surrounding Lily Lake.
David, Kim, Barb and Mike are part of an elite cadre of volunteers helping to engage communities across Minnesota and western Wisconsin in grass-roots projects to protect and restore lakes, rivers, and streams. Created by Freshwater, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, the Water Steward program trains “super volunteers” in water science, policy, and community engagement strategies. Once certified, these stewards help to support local environmental initiatives, such as building gravel bed tree nurseries, monitoring lake and stream water quality, installing native plantings, leading youth education programs, and participating in citizen advisory committees.
Currently, there are more than 500 Water Stewards volunteering in the Twin Cities region. An additional 30 St. Croix Watershed Stewards work in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, as part of a sister program sponsored by North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area.
Until recently, the Water Steward program was limited to communities with city or watershed district sponsors. Beginning in 2026, however, Freshwater is taking the program statewide and removing the enrollment fee so that more people can participate. Locally, the St. Croix Valley Foundation has provided grant funds to Washington Conservation District (WCD), Freshwater, and North Woods and Waters to train-in a new cohort of volunteers, starting in 2026. Grant funds will also support steward-led conservation projects and help partners to share stewardship stories with St. Croix River lovers and the general public.
Interested in becoming a Water Steward or exploring volunteer opportunities with County Parks, the WCD, and local watershed organizations? Come to a “Friends and Volunteers Bonfire” on Tuesday, Nov. 4 (6-8pm) at the Lake Elmo Regional Park Nordic Center. The event will be an opportunity to make friends and learn about volunteer opportunities in 2026. There will also be s’mores, hot cocoa, and hot apple cider, as well as a short night hike on lighted trails. Learn more and RSVP at mnwcd.org/events.
Freshwater will also be hosting online information sessions for prospective Water Stewards on Oct. 29 (12pm or 5pm), Nov. 20 (12pm or 5pm), and Dec. 11 (12pm and 5pm). Register for a session and apply to become a Water Steward at minnesotawaterstewards.org.
East Metro Water 