The Wandering Naturalist

Latest Episodes:

Episode 100: Fall Colors to Spring Buds - The Tree Nursery Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

We are joined by Shawn Howard, Nursery Operations Supervisor, and Paul Kortebein, Senior Manager of Horticulture and Forestry to discuss how the park district raises and plants several thousand native trees and shrubs a year and the challenges of starting a native nursery back in 1970 that is still helping to restore forests in all of our parks.

Episode 99: Fall Colors to Spring Buds - What's Happening? Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Join Angela and Brandon as they discover that trees do more than just sleep during the winter. They discuss what causes fall colors, how the colors are made by the tree, what trees actually do in the winter, and what trees have to do before they can grow in the spring.

Episode 98: Mussels Matter - A Trip to the Zoo Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Liz Gilles from the Minnesota Zoo discusses the zoo's "Show Us Your Mussels Challenge", the work the zoo is doing to educate people about mussels, and research being done at the zoo to figure out how to reintroduce mussels.

Episode 97: Mussels Matter - Restoring Mussels Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Mike Davis (MN DNR) and Olivia Poelmann (Graduate Student at Clemson SC) join us to talk about how the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are studying mussels, the impacts humans currently have on them, and some of the successes they have had restoring species, including endangered ones.

Episode 96: Mussels Matter - What is a Mussel? Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Alan Holzer from Mississippi Gateway Regional Park joins us to talk about what is a mussel, their unique life story (including interesting techniques they use to get fish to host their young), and how human's history with them has resulted in mussels becoming one of the most endangered groups of animals.

Episode 95: The Rivers That Shape Us: The Crow - A Farmers Perspective Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Jerry Jennissen's farmland includes the ditch that is the official start of the Crow River. Any action he takes on his farm has a direct impact on the entire Crow River. He talks about his experience with the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program, why farming sustainably is important to him, and Angela gets to discuss how Jerry's farm makes award winning cheese.

Episode 94: The Rivers That Shape Us: The Crow - Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Brad Redlin, Manager of the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture talks about how it is a team effort between his department and farmers to improve water quality around Minnesota. Brad Redlin explains how the Water Quality Certification works and how it is helping farmers navigate challenges to farming and result in a more sustainable farm.

Episode 93: The Rivers That Shape Us: The Crow - Keeping it Clean Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Join us as we explore the third river in Three Rivers - The Crow. Dan Nadeu joins us from Wright Soil and Water Conservation District. He explains why the Crow used to be called "the armpit of the Mississippi" and how the partnerships he has with farmers along the Crow River are integral to improve its water quality.

Episode 92: Casting a Line - Fishing in Our Parks Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Park Service Assistant Thao Vang talks to us about fishing in Three Rivers Park District, how fishing has changed over time for Hmong culture in Minnesota, and how to create a welcoming environment for people new to fishing.

Episode 91: Casting a Line - Local Fishing tips Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Nick Sacco from Three River's Outdoor Recreation School and Janine Kohn from the Minnesota DNR drop us a line to go over fishing basics such as how to get started, what equipment you might need, where to go, and proper fishing etiquette.

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