The Washington County Historical Society is excited to announce a program by Angie Hong, author of the new book “Exploring the St Croix River Valley: Adventures on and off the Water.” Hong is also the social media content creator for MN Nature Awesomeness (@mnnature_awesomeness on Instagram and TikTok) an educational and entertaining page celebrating the natural world in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Washington County Heritage Center (1862 Greeley St. S., Stillwater, MN 55082). Copies of Hong’s book will be available for purchase at the event.

About the book:

For readers of every inclination, “Exploring the St. Croix River Valley” provides a tour of the St. Croix Riverway and its 8,000-square-mile watershed. Environmental educator Angie Hong recommends specific places to explore the varied habitats—including prairies, forests, and lakes—and shows us myriad ways to get out and enjoy by hiking, paddling, biking, skiing, fishing, and more. As she travels from headwaters to tributaries, Hong takes in the Arcola High Bridge (with a side of freshwater mussel lore), searches for the perfect lakeside supper club, and talks to wildlife pros and volunteers restoring prairies, oak savanna, streams, and woodland habitats.

With stops at Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy, Sunfish Lake Park, and the Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest, readers will learn about the landscape and its history—groundwater geology and riverside land formations, ephemeral wildflowers and forests lost to logging—and the local fauna such as skinks and osprey, red-headed woodpeckers, grouse, and elk. Along the way, Hong has her own stories to tell, from paddling the Namekagon and wild ricing on the Moosehorn to planting trees with school kids. With its mix of stories, photographs, and practical information, Exploring the St. Croix River Valley makes an engaging companion for anyone venturing to this extraordinary place—as a visitor or as a reader.

About the author:

Hong has been a conservation educator for more than 20 years. As coordinator for Minnesota’s East Metro Water Education Program, she works with 30 local government partners to implement a wide array of education programs focused on teaching and inspiring communities to protect water resources. Her tips and tales about keeping water clean are featured regularly in columns in the Stillwater Gazette, Forest Lake Times, and other local newspapers, as well as online at eastmetrowater.org. She also has a large following on Instagram and TikTok.

Program details:

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. The program will also be available through a live stream on the Washington County Historical Society’s YouTube page. For more information and to access the YouTube link, please visit wchsmn.org/event/stcroix. For questions, contact emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org, call 651-439-2298, or visit the Washington County Heritage Center Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Founded in 1934, the Washington County Historical Society is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization with more than 750 individual, family, and business members. WCHS is supported by individual gifts, memberships and earned income, and foundation grants.