The Wandering Naturalist

Latest Episodes:

Episode 90: Casting a Line - Fish Habitats Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Join us as we dive under the water to explore fishing habitats with Brian Vlach, Water Resources Senior Manager at Three Rivers. Diverse aquatic habitats throughout Minnesota support a huge range of fishes, not all lakes are the same. We also discuss how climate change is impacting fish populations in Minnesota.

Episode 89: Coffee for Birds – Minnesota Roasting May 05, 2021

Show notes

The great coffee migration ends back in Minnesota where we talk to Anne Costello of Peace Coffee Company, a local Minnesota roaster. Anne discusses how coffee is roasted, the environmental impacts of roasting coffee, and best practices in the coffee industry. Julia Holiday, a historical interpreter from Three Rivers joins lastly to share past coffee substitutes.

Episode 88: Coffee for Birds - Coffee Farmers' Perspectives May 05, 2021

Show notes

In this episode we are joined by three coffee farmers to hear their perspective on farming everyone's favorite morning drink. Ashley Prentice in Guatemala, Gabriel Miari in Brazil, and Mario Palomo in Honduras discuss the similarities and differences of growing coffee in their different companies and steps they have taken to grow environmentally friendly coffee. Translation is done by Giannina Posner.

Episode 87: Coffee for Birds - Supporting Local Communities May 05, 2021

Show notes

Amanda Eastwood of Westrock Coffee Company joins us to talk about what it is like buying coffee from farmers, how the process can support local communities economically and improve the health of farmers, and why that is important in the coffee trade. She also provides some recommendations on what you can look for on coffee labels to see if your coffee supports coffee farming communities.

Episode 86: Coffee for Birds - What's a Bird Got to do With it? May 05, 2021

Show notes

Birds and coffee have more in common than just hearing both early in the morning. Many of the migrating species that call Minnesota home in the summer live on coffee farms in the winter. Learn how coffee farms impact birds and steps that can be taken to create coffee farms that have bird biodiversity as rich as actual rainforests.

Episode 85: Accessible Outdoors - Planning for Everyone Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Three Rivers believes you belong here. Making sure that "You" applies to everyone is a continual job with a lot of work going on behind the scenes to ensure our parks are accessible. Join us as we talk to Chris Boyer, Executive Director of Three Rivers Park District Foundation about what the Foundation is, and how it helps make our parks more accessible. Then, Lynn Stoltzmann, Director of Facility Services, and Designer Nate Straka, talk to us about how the Park District evaluates the accessibility of our parks and makes changes that are needed.

Episode 84: Accessible Outdoors - Adapted Programming Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Three Rivers Park District wants everybody, of any abilities, to participate in programs and enjoy experiences in a natural resourced based park setting. Sam and Tracy Tabaka from Outdoor Recreation talk to us about adapted programming and equipment in the Park District. Learn how programs are adapted to meet people's abilities, why this is important, and some etiquette on the trail when someone is using adapted equipment.

Episode 83: Accessible Outdoors - An AuSM Partnership Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Join us to discuss how Three Rivers Parks and The Autism Society of Minnesota have partnered to provide programing specifically designed for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Eric Ringgenberg, Director of Education Services for the Autism Society of Minnesota, discusses what autism is and how programming can be done differently to help participants with autism feel more welcome in our parks. Cristina Palmisano, Interpretive Naturalist from Lowry Nature Center, explains how she started the partnership and how the programs have grown in both frequency and in locations where they are offered.

Episode 82: Healing in Nature, Opt Outside Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

Perspective from a retired biologist and current Three Rivers volunteer, Mike Sweet, shares his goal to get outdoors every day to enjoy the benefits of interacting with nature. He describes the welcomed surprises that evoke both feelings of relaxation and energization. As a member of Minnesota Rovers, an outdoor club, there are many opportunities to join with others in outdoor activities.

Episode 81: Healing in Nature, Soap for the Soul Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

Silverwood Park of Three Rivers has an exciting first in Minnesota to share and Angela and Brandon immerse themselves in forest bathing with a certified ANFT Shinrin Yoku guide. Guests David Donovan, Silverwood Program Coordinator, and David Motzenbecker, Landscape Architect, provide further insight on healing in nature.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected