Upcoming Events
Special Meeting: 2026 CMSCWD Budget Meeting with Washington County Commissioners
The CMSCWD Board of Managers will be meeting at 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 with County Commissioner’s Miron and Cox and Washington County staff to discuss the 2026 CMSCWD Budget.
Attendees should first report to the Office of Administration inside the Government Center.
Cut and Learn Volunteer Event at Burris Park
Are you concerned about the impact Buckthorn and non-native bush honeysuckles have on our natural habitats? Do you like being outdoors and participating in hands-on activities? If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District and Washington Conservation District invite you to participate in a Cut and Learn Event at Burris Park.
October 7 Permit Review Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a permit review meeting at its offices located at 11660 Myeron Road North in Stillwater.
CMSCWD Board Managers will be present to review permit applications and applicable rules for projects on the consent agenda for the following regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting is informational, and no decisions will be made. Attendance for Board Managers is optional.
October 8 Board of Managers Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting October 21st (Online)
Meeting of the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss CMSCWD 2026 Budget overview.
November 12 Permit Review Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a permit review meeting at its offices located at 11660 Myeron Road North in Stillwater.
CMSCWD Board Managers will be present to review permit applications and applicable rules for projects on the consent agenda for the following regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting is informational, and no decisions will be made. Attendance for Board Managers is optional.
November 12 Board of Managers Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting November 18th (Online)
Meeting of the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss CMSCWD 2026 Budget overview.
SMART Salt Certification
Get SMART Salt Certified!
SMART Salt training for property managers and commercial property owners (Online). Learn strategies for reducing winter salt use and saving money, without impacting public safety. Register here.
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting December 16th (Online)
Meeting of the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss CMSCWD 2026 Budget overview.
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting September 16th (Online)
Meeting of the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss CMSCWD 2026 Budget overview.
Special Meeting of the CMSCWD Board of Managers
The CMSCWD Board of Managers will be meeting at 19189 Layton Ave N on Big Marine Lake to discuss shoreline and shoreland requirements at the property owner’s request.
2026 Budget Public Hearing and September 10th Board of Managers Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
September 9 Permit Review Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a permit review meeting at its offices located at 11660 Myeron Road North in Stillwater.
CMSCWD Board Managers will be present to review permit applications and applicable rules for projects on the consent agenda for the following regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting is informational, and no decisions will be made. Attendance for Board Managers is optional.
Pollinators, Plants, and Pints - SOLD OUT
Bring on the butterflies while you enjoy a pint at Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative! Your yard can help to support songbirds, pollinators, wildlife — AND look beautiful. During this happy-hour workshop with nature educator Angie Hong, we'll talk about what to plant, how to get started, where to buy native plants in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and where to find additional support for planting projects. Choose from one of two dates and learn about native gardens, bee lawns, prairies and flowering trees and shrubs. Register HERE.
August 27 Board of Managers Meeting and 2026 Budget Workshop
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
Free Well Water Screening Clinic
Have a private well? Bring in a water sample to be tested for nitrate and chloride.
History Cruise Along the St. Croix River
Take a trip back in time and spend a summer evening cruising the St. Croix River!
Entertaining stories about the area’s history presented by Angie Hong, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar await you on this exquisite sojourn supporting the Washington County Historical Society.
SMART Salt Certification
Get SMART Salt Certified!
SMART Salt training for property managers and commercial property owners (online). Learn strategies for reducing winter salt use and saving money, without impacting public safety. Register here.
August 13 Board of Managers Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
August 12 Permit Review Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a permit review meeting at its offices located at 11660 Myeron Road North in Stillwater.
CMSCWD Board Managers will be present to review permit applications and applicable rules for projects on the consent agenda for the following regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting is informational, and no decisions will be made. Attendance for Board Managers is optional.
Pollinators, Plants, and Pints
Bring on the butterflies while you enjoy a pint at Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative! Your yard can help to support songbirds, pollinators, wildlife — AND look beautiful. During this happy-hour workshop with nature educator Angie Hong, we'll talk about what to plant, how to get started, where to buy native plants in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and where to find additional support for planting projects. Choose from one of two dates and learn about native gardens, bee lawns, prairies and flowering trees and shrubs. Register HERE.
17th Annual St. Croix River Workshop on the Water (WOW)
Join us for an interactive and educational event for local decision-makers. This year’s workshop will be held aboard the Taylors Falls Princess, departing out of Taylors Falls near Interstate State Park. The workshop is designed for city councils, planning commissions, township boards, county commissioners, SWCD and watershed board members, and other local leaders. Register Today!
The annual St. Croix WOW offers a unique opportunity for community leaders to network, access support from state and local government, and learn about issues such as sustainable community development, preventing algal blooms, community forestry, healthy shorelines, and St. Croix Watershed resources and connections. This year’s workshop will include a keynote welcome from Matt Poppleton, Executive Director of Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon, as well as five learning stations with mini-presentations. Participants will also enjoy dinner, beautiful views of the river, and plenty of time for conversations and networking.
Your ticket includes dinner and a cash bar. $30 per person.
Washington County Fair!
Stop by the Washington Conservation District and local Watershed Management Organization booth at the Washington County Fair. This year’s booth will be located in Building A, across from the milk shakes and will be all about TREES! Enjoy sitting in the shade of the fair booth forest, while talking about trees for stormwater, trees for habitat, trees for climate resiliency, and more!
Big Carnelian Shoreline Tour
Join us for a fun informational pontoon tour of natural shorelines and discussions of features that support the long-term health and ecology of Big Carnelian Lake.
Due to limited seating, registration is required. Please register by July 13th.
Exploring the St. Croix: Adventures on and off the Water
Learn how the St. Croix came to be a federally protected Wild & Scenic River and where you can go to find old growth forests, remnant prairies, waterfalls, and other natural treasures. During this presentation, Angie Hong will also talk about locally-led efforts to restore habitat, re-wild rivers and streams, and nurse polluted lakes back to good health.
This event is hosted by Boutwell’s Landing, an active senior living community in Oak Park Heights, surrounded by ponds, walkways and rolling parkland. The presentation will be held in the “Town Hall” inside the main building.
July 9 Board of Managers Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
July 8 Permit Review Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a permit review meeting at its offices located at 11660 Myeron Road North in Stillwater.
CMSCWD Board Managers will be present to review permit applications and applicable rules for projects on the consent agenda for the following regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting is informational, and no decisions will be made. Attendance for Board Managers is optional.
All About Raingardens at the Wyoming Area Library
What is a raingarden? It’s more than a pretty landscape feature - it’s a smart, sustainable way to manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and better protect our lakes, rivers, and streams.
In this presentation by water resources educator Barbara Heitkamp, you’ll learn how raingardens are designed, how they function, and why they’re an essential tool in fighting pollution and erosion. Showcasing native plants that thrive in these systems - from vibrant coneflowers to sturdy sedges - and share tips for maintaining a healthy, long-lasting garden. Whether you’re a homeowner, community member, or nature enthusiast, you’ll leave inspired to bring more raingardens into the world. Event hosted by the Chisago County Master Gardeners.
Big Carnelian State of the Lake Update
Join the CMSCWD for an update on the current health of Big Carnelian Lake. This informational meeting will be held at the Washington County North Shop. Please enter through the north doors near the parking lot. Light refreshments will be provided.
CANCELLED Bliss Addition Volunteer Planting
This event has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather.
June 12th Workshop
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a special meeting at its office located at 11660 Myeron Rd North, Stillwater, MN 55082 . This meeting will be in person.
Free Well Water Screening Clinic
Have a private well? Bring in a water sample to be tested for nitrate and chloride.
June 11 Board of Managers Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold the regular meeting at Scandia City Hall located at 14727 209th St N, Scandia, MN 55073. CMSCWD Board Manages and staff will be present at the meeting location. The public is invited and welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.
June 10 Permit Review Meeting
The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District will hold a permit review meeting at its offices located at 11660 Myeron Road North in Stillwater.
CMSCWD Board Managers will be present to review permit applications and applicable rules for projects on the consent agenda for the following regularly scheduled meeting. This meeting is informational, and no decisions will be made. Attendance for Board Managers is optional.
NEW DATE! Shoreline Planting Workshop
The original workshop on May 20th has been postponed due to weather. The workshop will now be hosted on Monday, June 9th from 6-8pm.
Designers from Metro Blooms Design+Build will cover the importance of restoring native plants to shorelines and the impact it has on water quality and native habitat.
You will go over site assessment, unique shoreline considerations, native plants for shorelines and aquatic zones, buffer plantings and more! Participants will also receive a Resilient Shorelines workbook and access to the accompanying online learning series.
You can register for the workshop HERE
Landscape Revival Plant Sale (Lake Elmo)
Market: Purchase MN native plants from multiple growers. No systemic insecticides.
Expo: Learn to select and grow native plants for pollinators, wildlife, and water quality. Visit with educators and experts from conservation and environmental organizations. Get your landscaping questions answered.
9am - 1pm + food truck
AIS Detectors Training
If you love lakes and spending time outdoors, you can help to prevent the spread of AIS this summer by becoming a certified AIS Detector. AIS Detectors participate in a volunteer training taught by the University of Minnesota. More information HERE. The course consists of two portions: a self-paced online course (approx. 8hrs) and a live workshop with instructors, held on either June 3 and 4 (1-4pm, online) or June 6 (9am-5pm, in person at New Brighton Community Center).
The New Brighton Workshop is free and open to all, thanks to a sponsorship from the Rice Creek Watershed District. To inquire about scholarships for Washington County residents attending the June 3-4 online workshop, please contact angie.hong@mnwcd.org.
June 5th Special Meeting
A quorum of Board Managers for the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District may be present at the May Township monthly meeting where the watershed district is on the agenda. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. at May Township Hall located at 13939 Norrell Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082.
Wetlands of Afton & the St. Croix Valley
From seepage springs filled with skunk cabbage and marsh marigold, to floodplain forests, marshes, and golden tamarack bogs, the St. Croix watershed is home to many different wetlands.
Learn about some of the unique wetland habitats you can visit in Afton and the greater St. Croix watershed and get advice on how to enhance wetlands on your property with native plants and other landscaping features that add beauty, provide habitat, and help to protect water quality.
This is a free event, hosted by the Afton History Museum, with light refreshments provided. RSVP by June 2nd.