In this first episode of The Wandering Naturalist, hosts Brandon and Angela provide some insight on the science of snow and how it impacts the animals who depend on the subnivean layer. 

In this first episode of The Wandering Naturalist, hosts Brandon and Angela provide some insight on the science of snow and how it impacts the animals who depend on the subnivean layer.

Episode 1 - Snow and its Relationship to Animals

In the second part of this series on snow, Angela and Brandon talk about the advantages and challenges snow brings to plant life. 

In the second part of this series on snow, Angela and Brandon talk about the advantages and challenges snow brings to plant life.

Episode 2 - Snow and its Relationship with Plants

How did humans interact with snow before the advent of modern heating and insulation amenities? Learn all about it as hosts Brandon and Angela talk with an expert on this issue from The Landing.

How did humans interact with snow before the advent of modern heating and insulation amenities? Learn all about it as hosts Brandon and Angela talk with an expert on this issue from The Landing.

Episode 3 - Snow and its History with Minnesota

Join Brandon and Angela as they explore how owls can not only survive the winter, but raise their young when the rest of us are hunkered inside waiting for spring. Find out if owls have super-hearing like superman, how their eyes help them see at night, and what makes owl feathers special. Discover the adaptations that help these owls thrive in the cold.

Join Brandon and Angela as they explore how owls can not only survive the winter, but raise their young when the rest of us are hunkered inside waiting for spring. Find out if owls have super-hearing like superman, how their eyes help them see at night, and what makes owl feathers special. Discover the adaptations that help these owls thrive in the cold.

Episode 4 - Strange Calls in the Night - Super Ears and Keen Eyes

Do you know where owls nest? Hear how volunteer Paul Schlick coordinates a group of volunteers to track and document owl and other raptor nests in Elm Creek Park Reserve. Paul explains why this project is important, some of the challenges they have faced, and the opportunities for partnership with the Raptor Center that his data has created.

Do you know where owls nest? Hear how volunteer Paul Schlick coordinates a group of volunteers to track and document owl and other raptor nests in Elm Creek Park Reserve. Paul explains why this project is important, some of the challenges they have faced, and the opportunities for partnership with the Raptor Center that his data has created.

Episode 5 - Strange Calls in the Night - Tracking Owl Nests

Join us as Interpretive Naturalist Adam Barnett explains why nature centers’ keep owls as ambassadors for their wild kin. He recounts his time working with the Raptor Center, shares some of the joys and challenges of working with captive owls, and shares with us what to do if an injured owl is found.

Join us as Interpretive Naturalist Adam Barnett explains why nature centers’ keep owls as ambassadors for their wild kin. He recounts his time working with the Raptor Center, shares some of the joys and challenges of working with captive owls, and shares with us what to do if an injured owl is found.

Episode 6 - Strange Calls in the Night - Owl Ambassadors

Join us as we talk with Ojibwe students about their personal perspective and experience with maple syrup. We discuss how they maple syrup today both on a reservation and in the middle of the cities; how today's techniques differ from their ancestors; and what maple syruping means to them individually as well as culturally.

Join us as we talk with Ojibwe students about their personal perspective and experience with maple syrup. We discuss how they maple syrup today both on a reservation and in the middle of the cities; how today's techniques differ from their ancestors; and what maple syruping means to them individually as well as culturally.

Episode 7 - Wandering the Sugar Bush - A Native Perspective on Maple Syrup

We talk with our Forestry Supervisor Dan Comerford about the unique structure of maple trees that allow us to turn its sap into syrup. Explore with us as we discover the science behind maple syruping and learn how climate change will impact our maple trees.

We talk with our Forestry Supervisor Dan Comerford about the unique structure of maple trees that allow us to turn its sap into syrup. Explore with us as we discover the science behind maple syruping and learn how climate change will impact our maple trees.

Episode 8 - Wandering the Sugar Bush - The Science of Syruping

Discover the secrets to cooking with maple syrup as Andi Anderson from Gale Woods Farm joins us to help us in the kitchen. We discuss how to substitute syrup for sugar in recipes. We also help you uncode the meaning of Grade A and Grade B syrup.

Discover the secrets to cooking with maple syrup as Andi Anderson from Gale Woods Farm joins us to help us in the kitchen. We discuss how to substitute syrup for sugar in recipes. We also help you uncode the meaning of Grade A and Grade B syrup.

Episode 9 - Wandering the Sugar Bush - Cooking with Maple Syrup

The signs of spring are near and you may be hearing the calls of frogs, even with snow still on the ground. Fresh out of hibernation, join Brandon and Angela, as they journey through the biology of frogs and toads to answer what is making all that noise in spring.

The signs of spring are near and you may be hearing the calls of frogs, even with snow still on the ground. Fresh out of hibernation, join Brandon and Angela, as they journey through the biology of frogs and toads to answer what is making all that noise in spring.

Episode 10 - Calls of Spring – The Racket of Frogs

Explore the history and present of over 27,000 acres of park land inside Minnesota's Hennepin County and surrounding areas. Hosts Angela (wildlife biologist) and Brandon (interpretive naturalist) guide you through this suburban wilderness managed by the Three Rivers Park District.

Fun podcast to listen to! I love that they interview several different people to get a lot of perspective on a topic and that they try to make it very relevant for people in MN. I like how they bring up citizen science ideas that people can participate in.

Highly recommend for all in Minnesota

What an exciting new Podcast! Interesting and educational. Looking forward to many more episodes.

Wandering Naturalist

The Wandering Naturalist

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!

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 38 - Ice, Ice, Nature - Life Under the Ice

Join us as Nick Beaufeaux, Maintenance Chief for Elm Creek Park Reserve and Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, discusses why Three Rivers Park District operates a dam and how t is being used to stop invasive species. National Park Service ranger Sharon Stiteler talks to us about why the portion of the Mississippi River through Minneapolis is a National River and Recreation Area and why it is important to migrating birds.

Join us as Nick Beaufeaux, Maintenance Chief for Elm Creek Park Reserve and Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, discusses why Three Rivers Park District operates a dam and how t is being used to stop invasive species. National Park Service ranger Sharon Stiteler talks to us about why the portion of the Mississippi River through Minneapolis is a National River and Recreation Area and why it is important to migrating birds.

Episode 43 - The Rivers that Shape Us… The Mississippi, Dams, and Birds

To celebrate the past 50 years, Brandon and Angela are talking to special guest Bill Walker, Cultural Resources Manager of Three Rivers Park District, to discuss the how and why Three Rivers was created.  2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of Minnesota's first public nature center, the Lowry Nature Center at Carver Park Reserve.  It also marks the 50th Anniversary of the first planted prairie at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve.  Join them on a journey to discover this rich history and how the two are connected. 

To celebrate the past 50 years, Brandon and Angela are talking to special guest Bill Walker, Cultural Resources Manager of Three Rivers Park District, to discuss the how and why Three Rivers was created.  2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of Minnesota's first public nature center, the Lowry Nature Center at Carver Park Reserve.  It also marks the 50th Anniversary of the first planted prairie at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve.  Join them on a journey to discover this rich history and how the two are connected.

Episode 25 - 50 Years of Environmental Stewardship:  The Need for Parks

Luke Skinner, Associate Superintendent of Three Rivers Park District, joins us to discuss how the park district has created a spectrum among its parks of parks primarily for recreation, to parks with large tracts of recreated habitat to find the balance between recreation and preservation in our parks, as well as some of the background of how those decisions are made.

Luke Skinner, Associate Superintendent of Three Rivers Park District, joins us to discuss how the park district has created a spectrum among its parks of parks primarily for recreation, to parks with large tracts of recreated habitat to find the balance between recreation and preservation in our parks, as well as some of the background of how those decisions are made.

Episode 44 - Under Pressure: Urban Sprawl - A Spectrum of Parks

Wander with us as Angela and Brandon investigate the differences between two different kinds of bees, bumblebees and honeybees. Though different, they both face many of the same challenges, and they both are important pollinators for our food.

Wander with us as Angela and Brandon investigate the differences between two different kinds of bees, bumblebees and honeybees. Though different, they both face many of the same challenges, and they both are important pollinators for our food.

Episode 22 - Bees, Cows, and your Lunch - To Bumblebee be or to Honeybee?

Britt Forsberg from the University of Minnesota Native Bee Atlas shares with us how the university is discovering what native bees live in Minnesota. She also gives advice on how to provide a home for native bees around your home, and Angela and Brandon give some tips on planting for natives.

Britt Forsberg from the University of Minnesota Native Bee Atlas shares with us how the university is discovering what native bees live in Minnesota. She also gives advice on how to provide a home for native bees around your home, and Angela and Brandon give some tips on planting for natives.

Episode 24 - Bees, Cows, and your Lunch - Native Bee Atlas

With over 149 dragonfly and damselfly species in Minnesota there is much to learn and observe.  Dragonfly scientist Ami Thompson joins on this episode to talk about her study subject, the Common Green Darner, as she works towards a PhD in Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota.  Listen to learn more about this fascinating dragonfly that migrates. 

With over 149 dragonfly and damselfly species in Minnesota there is much to learn and observe.  Dragonfly scientist Ami Thompson joins on this episode to talk about her study subject, the Common Green Darner, as she works towards a PhD in Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota.  Listen to learn more about this fascinating dragonfly that migrates.

Episode 21 - Here there be Dragon(flies) - Cultural Fascination to Research Subjects

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

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

Episode 31 - Nature of Zombies:  Historical Fascination

The first nature center was built in 1969, Lowry Nature Center.  Tag along as hosts Brandon and Angela interview Tom McDowell, retired park employee of 40 years, to explore the story of how outdoor education molded our mission of promoting environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural-resource based park system for the past 50 years. 

The first nature center was built in 1969, Lowry Nature Center.  Tag along as hosts Brandon and Angela interview Tom McDowell, retired park employee of 40 years, to explore the story of how outdoor education molded our mission of promoting environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural-resource based park system for the past 50 years.

Episode 26 - 50 Years of Environmental Stewardship: Lowry Nature Center

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.

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 40 - Ice, Ice, Nature - From Ice Harvesting to Ice Fishing, How Humans Use Ice

Wander with us as we talk with Pauline Bold from The Landing. She shares with us some of the ways people used early spring wildflowers, including uses as medicine and food. Disclaimer, do not try to use these as food or medicine yourself. Listen to the podcast to learn why. Laura Jarriel shares her photography expertise to help us take photos of spring wildflowers with our phones.

Wander with us as we talk with Pauline Bold from The Landing. She shares with us some of the ways people used early spring wildflowers, including uses as medicine and food. Disclaimer, do not try to use these as food or medicine yourself. Listen to the podcast to learn why. Laura Jarriel shares her photography expertise to help us take photos of spring wildflowers with our phones.

 Episode 15 - Flower Medicine and Taking Photos - April Showers, May Wildflowers

Episode 11 - Calls of Spring – Start of a Journey

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.

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 39 - Ice, Ice, Nature - Invasion of the Oxygen Snatchers

Do earthworms help or hinder flowers in the forest? How are invasive species like buckthorn impacting spring wildflowers? Join us as we talk to Missy Anderson, the Invasive Species Coordinator for Three Rivers Park District, and Alex Roth from Friends of the Mississippi to get the dirt on invasives and flowers, and discuss how you can help native flowers.

Do earthworms help or hinder flowers in the forest? How are invasive species like buckthorn impacting spring wildflowers? Join us as we talk to Missy Anderson, the Invasive Species Coordinator for Three Rivers Park District, and Alex Roth from Friends of the Mississippi to get the dirt on invasives and flowers, and discuss how you can help native flowers.

Episode 14 - Earthworms, Buckthorn, and Flowers, Oh My - April Showers, May Wildflowers

Three Rivers has worked to make our parks home for surrounding communities and wildlife over these past 50 plus years.  Building a foundation on educating others for a chance to nurture the interest about natural happenings in the outdoor world led to many greater things such as prairie restoration.  Kirk Mona, Interpretive Naturalist, joins to discuss the present and future of Three River's mission. 

Three Rivers has worked to make our parks home for surrounding communities and wildlife over these past 50 plus years.  Building a foundation on educating others for a chance to nurture the interest about natural happenings in the outdoor world led to many greater things such as prairie restoration.  Kirk Mona, Interpretive Naturalist, joins to discuss the present and future of Three River's mission.

Episode 28 - 50 Years of Environmental Stewardship: Looking to the Future

Join us as we discuss one of the rivers Three Rivers Park District is named after, the Mississippi River! Ashley Smith, Interpretive naturalist at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, teaches us how to read the story of the Mississippi's past. Learn how volcanoes, earthquakes, glaciers, and even a tropical vacation all helped to shape the Mississippi River.

Join us as we discuss one of the rivers Three Rivers Park District is named after, the Mississippi River! Ashley Smith, Interpretive naturalist at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, teaches us how to read the story of the Mississippi's past. Learn how volcanoes, earthquakes, glaciers, and even a tropical vacation all helped to shape the Mississippi River.

Episode 41 - The Rivers that Shape Us… The Mississippi and its Geology

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