The Wandering Naturalist

Latest Episodes:

Episode 40 - Ice, Ice, Nature - From Ice Harvesting to Ice Fishing, How Humans Use Ice Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

Explore how humans interact with ice as we talk with park volunteer and Ice Harvest historian Tim Graff about how and why people harvested ice in the 1800's and how you can experience ice harvesting today. Learn how to ice fish when we talk to Brent Hennen from our Outdoor Recreation School and learn some tips for how to add as little stress to our winter fish as possible.

Episode 39 - Ice, Ice, Nature - Invasion of the Oxygen Snatchers Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

How do invasive species impact life under the ice? What do they do to the oxygen? Can you do anything to help? Find out as we talk about Aquatic Invasive Species with Amy Timm, Three Rivers' Natural Resources Supervisor for Water Quality.

Episode 38 - Ice, Ice, Nature - Life Under the Ice Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

Join us for the start of season two as Brandon and Angela dive into to a listener requested topic: Life Under the Ice. Explore the murky depths of a lake in the winter and learn what creatures stay active all winter, and which go dormant. Find out if its better, down where its wetter, under the ice!

Episode 37 - Winter Strategies: Turtle Habits and Human Clothes Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

Join us as John Moriarty shares new research Three Rivers has participated in to find out what turtles do in the winter. It turns out it is a lot more complicated than just sleeping in the mud. Heather Gordon from the Outdoor School of Recreation joins us with tips on how to Adapt to the winter and dress to be outside so we can enjoy winter activities.

Episode 36 - Winter Strategies: Bird Banding and Winter Migration Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

Did you know that Minnesota birds have 5 types of migration habits? Join us as we discuss this with Ron Refsneider, a retired biologist for the MN DNR and a Master Bird Bander. He shares with us what his Bird banding data indicates about Minnesota birds' winter habits, and gives his opinion on how our perspective on bird migration is backwards.

Episode 35 - Winter Strategies: Should I Stay or Should I Go - Getting MADD Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

Wander with us as we explore how animals survive the winter. Angela and Brandon investigate three strategies that animals use to survive the winter, Migrating, Adapting, and going Dormant. Learn how these strategies work as we dig into the winter habits of Beavers, Coyotes, Birds, Butterflies, and Ground Squirrels.

Episode 34 - Buck-ing the Trend: Hunters, The Next Generation Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Ryan Barth, Outdoor Education Supervisor at Baker Near Wilderness Settlement, and Bill Vollbrecht, Golf Maintenance Supervisor at Eagle Lake Golf Course, discuss how they are mentoring children to help them learn how to hunt for deer. We discuss why it is important, the ethics of hunting when human population continues to grow and encroach on animal habitat, and how this helps promote a new generation of environmental stewards.

Episode 33 - Buck-ing the Trend: Managing Our Deer Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Special guests Steven Hogg from our Natural Resource Management Department, and Shawn Howard from our Tree Nursery join us to discuss what steps the park takes to manage the health of our parks with a large deer population. They discuss the benefits and challenges of techniques used such as hunting, exclusion fences, and smells. Wander with us as we discover why the park district manages deer and how we do it.

Episode 32 - Buck-ing the Trend: Deer 101 Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Join us as we explore the history of deer management, why it was needed, and Disney's impact on deer populations. We discuss deer habits and why we believe controlled hunts in our parks are important.

Episode 31 - Nature of Zombies: Historical Fascination Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

Zach Mohlis from, The Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park, will provide a historical perspective on where the idea of human zombies has come from. What is our cultural fascination with apocalyptic scenarios

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