St. Croix River Association

Advocating for conservation throughout the watershed 

Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2015

Mission Statement

To protect, restore and celebrate the St. Croix River and its watershed.

Guiding Principles

As we work with others in the watershed, we will:

• Recognize that the health of the St. Croix depends on the health of the watershed.
• Act with thoughtful urgency.
• Take strategic action, focusing on and achieving measurable results that make a difference.
• Collaborate with and empower others instead of working alone.
• Respect, engage and leverage the passion of local people in their communities.
• Conduct our work in a spirit of respect, transparency and openness.
• Enhance the work of the National Park Service, the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and local units of government.
• Celebrate natural and cultural diversity within the watershed as well as successes in the conservation work of those who care.

 

Our Core Functions

The SCRA is the only existing organization with a watershed-wide scope able to focus on both sides of the river and both the upper and lower portions of the basin.

We will work in partnership with others, to perform the following core functions:

Land conservation: We work to protect and restore important natural and scenic areas along the river and throughout the watershed by partnering with land protection agencies and organizations.

Water quality protection: We work to improve and maintain water quality, recognizing its interconnection with land use.

River corridor and watershed stewardship: We engage people in educational, recreational and volunteer stewardship activities that give them the understanding and motivation to advocate at the local, state and national levels on behalf of the watersheds values.

Celebration: The St. Croix River watershed is a national treasure. We live, work and play in the St. Croix River watershed because we love the place, and we celebrate that love at every opportunity.

Policy and Program goals

WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE

1. Improve water resources, with an emphasis on water quality and basin-wide advocacy.
   1. Be recognized as the lead non-profit on St. Croix water quality issues.
   2. Strengthen the execution of the TMDL Implementation Plan.
   3. Bolster ongoing watershed efforts of the Basin Team, other local units of government, and “friends” groups, and sow the seeds for more.
   4. Analyze our role in emerging threats to water quality and, if needed, create policy and procedures for how to respond.

LAND COMMITTEE

1. Protect and restore important natural and scenic areas.
2. Expand the land use monitoring system to keep apprised of zoning and permitting activities.
3. Further develop connections with pro bono attorneys and law schools.
4. Continue to facilitate the work of the Conservation Collaborative in identifying protection priorities and finding opportunities for joint ventures.
5. Work with the Development Committee to create a budgeted contingency fund to be useCod for unanticipated land protection opportunities. (Over time this could become a super-fund capable of supporting large projects.)
6. Influencing the implementation of the Stillwater Bridge Mediation Plan while identifying additional opportunities to further land and water protection.

• INVASIVE SPECIES TASK FORCE           

3. Minimize the spread of invasive species.

1. Analyze our role in invasive species threats and, if needed, create policy and procedures for how to respond.
2. Support federal and state funding and actions to reduce the spread of invasive species.

In Support of Policy and Program Goals

COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE   

1. Build a constituency that cares about the St. Croix and its watershed.
   1. Communicate. Newsletter, website, e-blasts, social media opportunities.  

1)      Continue to enhance website content including the consideration for online ordering of tangible earned income opportunities.

2)      Produce quarterly newsletter, monthly e-blast, and enhance social media presences, including an increased presence on Facebook and St. Croix 360, and continue submitting editorial columns and other news releases.

1. Educate.

1)      Seek out and implement the best opportunities to support specific policy and program goals. (For example: educating landowners and river users.)

2)      Analyze our role in watershed education efforts and if needed, create policy and procedures when to become involved.

1. Reach out.

1)      Grow the membership, with a target of at least 100 additional members annually.

2)      Host and/or participate in events (Annual Paddle, member events, watershed conference(s), Expos, etc.)

3)      Continue the current awards programs (stewardship award and photo contest).

4)      Consider alternative member event formats to increase participation, pay special attention to riparian landowners.

5)      Support the feasibility study of the St. Croix Basin as a National Heritage Area.

 AD HOC VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE (CEO Subcommittee)

1. Further develop the volunteer program.

1)      Complete and refine the volunteer manual.

2)      Develop and expand volunteering opportunities that further SCRA’s goals.

3)      Coordinate with other organizations to optimize the benefits of volunteering for both SCRA and volunteers.

4)      Establish connections with local law schools to engage law student volunteers.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE    

1. Develop the financial resources needed to support our program goals
2. Grow River Fund in partnership with NPS and SCVF by expanding the donor base through events, one-on-one contacts, river landowners’ databases, and other means.
3. Pursue best opportunities for government funding, e.g. Minnesota legacy grants, and Wisconsin DNR grants.
4. Continue to leave no stone unturned in seeking foundation support.
5. Determine and implement best opportunities for “earned income”.

FINANCE, BOARD AFFAIRS, AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES

1. Ensure appropriate governance of the affairs of the SCRA.
2. Finance

1)      Prepare annual budget, annual reports and other fiduciary duties.

2)      Provide periodic financial reports and financial oversight.

1. Board Affairs

1)      Ensure good governance: implement a Board of Advisors; recruit highly qualified board members, provide an informative board manual, oversee compliance functions, etc)

1. Executive Committee

1)      Ensure that the work of various committees is aligned and that the board makes timely thoughtful decisions.