The St. Croix was one of the original rivers designated by Congress as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1968. Rich in biodiversity, it is home to black bears and river otters, brook trout and sturgeon, bald eagles and trumpeter swans. Its forested bluffs provide habitat for migratory songbirds, and its waters harbor rare dragonflies and 41 species of mussels. Amid a changing landscape, the river still recalls its wild origins. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserves rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.