BOB BURNS STEWARDSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

2011

Cynthia Landers

 

Cynthia Landers is a Hudson Middle School science teacher who led her students in design and construction of seven rain gardens that clean up water destined to join the St. Croix River. She partnered with the city and has led the students in erosion control improvements of a retention pond and control of invasive buckthorn, thistle and birdsfoot trefoil in the school forest.

She took the two-week Earth Partnership course in Madison and in the next three years organized classes and curriculum-writing programs in Hudson among her peers. She also started a Women in Science program that introduces 50 girls to science careers at the University of Wisconsin-Stout each year. She was a featured speaker at the Lower St. Croix Management Commission’s summer education boat tour last year and she also speaks to neighboring community groups to get them involved in conservation education projects. At least two of her students are pursuing natural resource science careers as a result of her inspiration and in 2005 she was selected for the St. Croix County Conservation Leader Award.

 

Deer Lake Conservancy

Jim Miller accepted the Stewardship Award on behalf of the Deer Lake Conservancy. The Conservancy was organized as a Wisconsin charitable organization in 1995 with the purpose of preserving the lake and the surrounding land that contributes to the natural, scenic, recreational and productive value of the lake. A principal goal of the Conservancy has been to work for improved water quality of the lake, and particularly the reduction of phosphorous. The Conservancy is managed and operated by volunteers, apart from, but often in cooperation with, a much older Deer Lake Improvement Association of lakeshore owners.

Deer Lake is located about 5 miles east of St. Croix Falls in Polk County. It drains into the Balsam Branch River, then into the Apple River, a tributary of the St. Croix River. It is an 840 acre lake with a maxim depth of 46 feet. Most of its shoreline is developed with upscale homes, and it is a popular lake for boating and fishing.

During its relatively short existence the Conservancy has made dramatic strides in improving the water quality of Deer Lake based on recommendations by professional consultants, primarily by acquiring nearly 162 acres of land in four areas through which agricultural runoff flows to the lake; and by constructing holding ponds and planting prairie grasses and flowers in those areas. The conservancy has now installed water control structures in the nine largest watersheds draining into the lake. (The prairie plantings have been unique, having been done with local ecotype seeds collected within 50 miles from the lake, and including as many as 100 varieties.)

The resulting improvement in lake water quality has been dramatic. Runoff of phosphorous into the lake was reduced by over half in the decade from 1997 through 2006. Water clarity in the lake as measured by Secchi disc measurements has gone from 7 – 13 feet in 1993 to 19 – 29 feet in 2010. The lake has transitioned from eutrophic (nutrient rich with profuse and unsightly algae bloom and aquatic weeds) to mesotrophic. Deer Lake is one of only two lakes in Wisconsin where this has occurred, the other being Mirror Lake surrounded by park land.

 

Hayward Boy Scout Troop 70 and the All-Girl Venture Crew

2010

 The 2010 recipients of the Bob Burns Memorial St. Croix Watershed Stewardship Award were  Scoutmaster Bill Schmelzer, Hayward Boy Scout Troop 70, and the all-girl Venture Crew for their collective promotion of conservation in the St. Croix Wild and Scenic river corridor.

For example. They recently conducted a citizen-science project in the Upper St. Croix National Wild and Scenic River. During 2008, in a combined period of nine days, they paddled 55 miles of the Namekagon River and 75 miles of the St. Croix, sampling water parameters including dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, pH, alkalinity, temperature, current, turbidity, and sediment, as well as recording GPS locations, auditory samples, and photo samples of tributary sites. They compiled the data, organized it and shared it with the Wisconsin DNR, the United States Geological Survey, University of Wisconsin Extension, and National Park Service.

Just a few of their many other projects have been: boulder and log placements in Hay Creek; board walk restoration on the historic Windigo-Namekagon portage trail and trail maintenance along Smith Creek.  Through efforts such as these, Hayward Boy Scout Troop 70, with more than 50 years of service, has become a cultural and ecological institution in the region.

 

Molly Shodeen

2009

Molly Shodeen, of Oakdale, MN, has gone above and beyond the calling of her challenging professional assignments, and has made a positive difference in protecting the St. Croix Valley.

Here are just some of the extraordinary contributions our award recipient has made:

• Built bridges of partnership among governments and private stakeholders resulting in commitments to policies for wise use and protection of the St. Croix watershed.
• Reached out to explain rules and to coach local officials on the proper administration of the Lower St. Croix Riverway, including fostering several well attended workshops.
• Fostered research leading to policies for Riverway management, such as boating regulations protective of islands above Stillwater.
• Implemented standards and policy reviews of local zoning decisions to uphold Riverway protection in the Minnesota Riverway district.
• Has been a persistently strong voice of conscience for state administration of the Lower St. Croix Riverway.
• Has demonstrated unwavering personal commitment to the highest standards and outcomes of Riverway management and resource protection since 1982.

 

Nancy Brown

2008

Nancy Brown was the 2008 recipient of the Bob Burns Stewardship Award. Her nomination, supported by people in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is for her work in leading the preservation of “an historic environmental gem” near Somerset, Wisconsin. More specifically, Nancy spearheaded the creation of Martell’s Landing Education Center at the confluence of the Apple and St. Croix Rivers.

The Martell’s Landing property was purchased from Lester and Yvonne Martell who wished to have their historic 1850’s homestead farm maintained as a legacy for future generations. Our award winner, with the help of family and friends, raised the money to fulfill that dream, and to make the property available to the public in a strategic area adjacent to federal and state lands along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

What’s more she has led the development of educational programming at the site, programs to encourage students to identify the diverse landscape, explore the undeveloped river shoreline, and experience the historic values of Native Americans and early settlers in the area. Now, as the Executive Director of the Martell’s Landing Education Center, Nancy is leading the continuing preservation and promotion of the site bringing in groups for retreats, meetings, classes and field trips.

Martell’s Landing is a great addition to the network of such facilities in the St. Croix Valley, one that grew out of love for the lands and waters by the Martell family and grassroots commitment and timely action.

 

2007

Wert Family Nature Preserve – Sheldon & Jacob Wert

Landowners Sheldon and Jacob Wert of Eden Prairie, MN, have chosen to establish a magnificent new public nature preserve on a beautiful wooded 448-acre parcel they own in the St. Croix River Valley north of St. Croix Falls, WI. As real estate developers they could easily imagine how it would make terrific home sites; instead, they decided  to sell the area, valued at $5 million, to the West Wisconsin Land Trust for about 20 percent of its worth to preserve the thick woods and a prominent 600-foot bluff for public use and enjoyment. This property complements the scenic preservation goals of the nearby St. Croix national Scenic Riverway and, when the Land Trust loan has been repaid with fund from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund administered by the Wisconsin DNR, the property will be donated to the City of St. Croix Falls and the Town of St. Croix Falls.

 

BP Service Station, Osceola, WI – Tom Salewski

Local businessman Tom Salewski operates a BP brand service station at the gateway intersection of Wisconsin Highways 35 and 243 – a gateway to his community of Osceola, WI as well as to one of the few St. Croix River Valley highway crossings. He designed and built a vintage “cottage style” building that replaced a rather rundown lackluster structure. His goal was to add to the historic community character of Osceola and to complement the attractive scenic character of the nearby River Valley. He persisted in his efforts and successfully obtained an exception from the BP Corporation to allow a pump island without a canopy and with older-style lighting in keeping with the unique building code.

Tom had the support of the Village of Osceola with TIF funds to remove the old building and a small loan from the revolving fund for the new development. His commitments to the preservation of community character and enhancement of the public face of an important St. Croix River crossing route are worthy of recognition.

This is the second St. Croix Stewardship Award presented to a commercial business serving the public in the River Valley.

 

Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours Co.

2006

The Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours Co. received the St. Croix River Association’s 2006 Bob Burns Memorial Stewardship Award.  Four generations of the Muller family have operated the tour company which Carl Muller founded in 1906 to provide cruises on the river. In addition to the popular tours, the business now also includes canoe and kayak rentals.

For 100 years the Muller family has been dedicated to allowing thousands of visitors to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of the scenic St. Croix River Valley every year. In so doing they have built a constituency of citizens who care about preserving this priceless scenic, historic and ecological asset we call the St. Croix.

Amy Frischmon and Dan Raedeke, family members who now own and manage the business, have been very supportive of the River Association’s work. In accepting the award, Amy and Dan expressed the family’s appreciation of this recognition.

 

Bill Neuman

2005

The St. Croix River Association (SCRA) gave its 2005 Bob Burns Memorial Stewardship Award to Bill Neuman, a resident of Franconia Township in Chisago County, MN.

Bill was recognized for his leadership and activism in a wide range of river-related activities such as: serving as President of the St. Croix Scenic Coalition (which is dedicated to preserving the outstanding scenic attributes of the St. Croix River Corridor), and acting as one of the chief architects of the Green Corridor Project in Chisago and Washington Counties. He was also recognized by the SCRA for his roles as:

• An advocate for responsible stewardship of the scenic and rural landscape in routing of high-voltage transmission lines in the Taylors Falls-St. Croix Falls area.
• An active leader for the concepts of purchasing development credits and transfer of development rights in Chisago County for open space preservation.
• A persuasive champion of the new designation of Minnesota State Trunk Highway 95 as a State Scenic Byway.
• A tireless public speaker and coalition-builder for local units of government and other civic groups in the St. Croix River Valley.

Bill has been a resident of the St. Croix River area in Chisago County for twenty years.

 

C.W. “Buck” Malick of Hudson Receives St. Croix River Stewardship Award

2004

The St. Croix River Association (SCRA) gave its 2004 Bob Burns Memorial Stewardship Award to C.W. “Buck” Malick of Hudson, Wisconsin. Like Bob Burns, Malick was also a SCRA director and an appointed member of the former Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission.

Malick was also recognized for his leadership and activism in a wide range of river-related activities:

• Chair of the Lower St. Croix Planning Task Force during its work to update the management plan for the 52 mile river reach from St. Croix Falls to the Mississippi River.
• Current Chair of the Lower St. Croix Partnership Team, a consortium of stakeholder groups advising the implementation of the new management plan.
• Incorporator and Corporate Secretary of the St. Croix Scenic Valley Coalition, Inc.
• Facilitator of several river water quality projects and clean-up efforts.
• Legal advisor for many local governments on ordinances governing placement of towers in the river corridor.
• Encourager and advisor for many non-profit groups having river related goals and objectives.
• Assistant to federal, state and local government officials on river policies and networking opportunities.

In addition to his numerous volunteer activities, Malick serves as elected Chair of the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors and was Executive Director of the former Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission until its termination by the State of Wisconsin 2001.

Jim Shaver

2003

Several years ago, Jim Shaver, of Marine on St. Croix, expressed concerns about effects of future land use and development on one of the prettiest and most important streams flowing into the St. Croix. In 1997 he suggested creating a conservation and educational organization, an association which could inspire grass roots stewardship of the stream’s fragile and historic watershed. Jim’s dream became a reality in March 1998 when the association became an officially recognized nonprofit, with our recipient as its first president, a position he held ‘til last January.

Jim’s leadership of the organization has inspired many notable accomplishments over the five years since its creation:

• The community through which the stream runs has nearly 300 households. The association now counts over half of these households as members.
• Every year, on the first Sunday of May, the association puts on an environmental fair celebrating the stream as a community asset. This family oriented event is an opportunity to learn about the environment through representatives of numerous environmental, educational, and conservation organizations.
• In collaboration with Warner Nature Center and the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, the association has established two automated stations to monitor water flow, temperature, and conductivity. Data from the stations together with results of invertebrate samplings provide a baseline by which any changes in the streams condition can be documented.
• The association assisted Minnesota’s DNR in producing a natural resources inventory for the stream’s entire watershed.
• The association in collaboration with Lynette Anderson and Sally Leider has created a community based environmental education curriculum for 5th and 6thgraders using the stream as its outdoor classroom and laboratory.
• O’Brien State Park recently acquired 22 acres of critical habitat impacting he stream. The association is a partner in reconstructing a healthy wetland on the property.

 

 

Helen White

2002

Helen White is an independent scholar, editor and publisher. She was born in Minneapolis, graduated from Hamline University in Saint Paul in 1939 with majors in History and English, and did graduate study in American History and American Literature from 1939 to 1942.

Helen married Dr. Henry Gilbert White, a resources economist, in 1941. They lived in Minnesota, New York, Colorado, Utah and Washington D.C., and abroad in Japan, the Philippines and France. She is the mother of three children, a daughter and two sons. She has been widowed since 1967.

Helen has had a continuously active and varied career over the years. From 1969-1984 she was the founder, editor and publisher of the Dalles Visitor, a yearly publication related to the human and natural history of the Dalles area of the St. Croix River. In 1976 it was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the American Association for State and Local History. She completed the restoration of the Historic Taylors Falls Jail and opened it as a bed and breakfast guesthouse in 1981. She operated in until 1989. She was one of the founders of the Minnesota Historic Bed and Breakfast Association. In 1985, she was named by the Minnesota Humanities Commission, Minnesota’s “Independent Scholar of the Year.”

As one of many who supported her nomination said: “This entire area is a better place because of all of Helen’s efforts. She is a person of courage and integrity and has made untold contributions for the good of the St. Croix Valley and the need for its preservation.”

In 1985, Helen became the first woman president of the St. Croix River Association. In 1986, she supervised the publication of its 75 year history, the first edition of SAVING THE RIVER.

By 2001 this edition was out of print and had become a collectors item.  The SCRA board decided to celebrate the SCRA’a 90th year with an updated edition of the book. Leading the project, Helen worked diligently in researching past minutes and records, and more recently discovered materials relevant to the River Association’s during the period 1928-1951.  She added new illustrations.

The 2001 edition of SAVING THE RIVER will be a resource for all the citizens in the St. Croix Valley for years to come. Through its reading, it is believed one will have a greater appreciation of the St. Croix River, its valley and its natural and historic resources. It will be a source of instilling a sense of stewardship and pride in “saving for our children the uses and beauties of our river and valley.”

Verna Kragnes 

2001

Verna Kragnes of Osceola, Wisconsin received the St. Croix River Association’s first annual St. Croix Watershed Stewardship Award. Verna earned her recognition by providing leadership that resulted in two significant land purchases in the year 2000: the Osceola Bluff property and the Tewksberry property just south of Osceola.

The Osceola Bluff soars above the Wisconsin side of the river immediately downriver from the Osceola bridge. The property was on the market and a candidate for development. Verna’s tireless, knowledgeable and tactful work was instrumental in the Osceola City Council’s decision to purchase the property thus protecting its unique national beauty.

The Tewksbury property stretches for nearly a quarter mile along the river bluffs in Farmington Township just south of Osceola. It came on the market at an appraised price of $315,000. Verna led the fundraising so that the property could be purchased by the Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy and the Philadelphia Community Farm. The property is now protected by conservation easements with fifty acres open to the public for hiking, enjoyment of nature and educational activities.

Contributions to her community are nothing new for Verna. She and her husband Rick Hall run the Philadelphia Community Farm where they practice community supported agriculture, provide a home for people with disabilities and encourage an appreciation for farming and nature in urban youth. In 1994 they formed the Standing Cedars Conservancy when the 1170 acre Engelwood property came on the market. This unique property runs along the river in Wisconsin just north of Marine on St. Croix. Interested developers were waiting in the wings. Standing Cedars was successful in acquiring the property and now also holds conservation easements on an additional 437 acres in the area. Nearly all of the protected acreage is open to the public for hiking, enjoyment of nature, educational activities and hunting.