Exploring the St. Croix River Valley: Adventures on and off the Water

Hong, an environmental educator and coordinator of the Minnesota East Metro Water Resource Education Program, provides a comprehensive guide to the St. Croix River Watershed, the 7,760 square mile area of national and state parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and trails fed by the St. Croix River and its tributaries along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Using anecdotes from her personal experiences in the area and highlighting sustainability programs that continue to restore and protect the watershed, Hong describes the attractions of each destination, providing information about its history, flora and fauna, accessibility, water quality, and recreational opportunities. She also identifies unique habitat types—pine barrens and oak savannas, for example—that can be found within the watershed. In addition to rating each destination in terms of the level of outdoor expertise it demands, the book also supplies readers with valuable safety tips, advice on supplies, and suggestions for activities suited to different lifestyles, interests, and abilities.