The Wandering Naturalist

How do you restore wild rice to an area? Steven Hogg, Senior Manager of Wildlife at Three Rivers Park District, talks about the work done to bring back wild rice. From sourcing seeds, to distributing…

Wild rice can be found in every grocery store, but what is it? Is it a rice? A grain? Find out as we learn about this uniquely North American food that has been in Minnesota for at least 12,000 years…

Dr. Adam Berland from Ball State University joins us to talk about research on why trees are important for people in an urban environment. He also talks to us about the surprising conclusions from hi…

Laila Bacon and Makayla Freeman started working with Analyah Schlaeger do Santos when they were 14 years old. Seven years later they are still planting trees in Hennepin County were tree deserts exis…

While connecting with fisher researchers Angela and Brandon were told over and over that there was one researcher they had to talk to. Dr. Roger Powell, Professor Emeritus at NC State University in N…

Dr. Michael Joyce of the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota joins us to talk about why NRRI is researching fishers as they move from the north woods to souther…

Fishers have been moving from northern Minnesota south and can now be seen in the Twin Cities area. What is a fisher? Join Brandon and Angela as they discuss what makes this large member of the wease…

Why does a scientist want poop mailed to them? Find out as Dr. Dr. Michelle Power joins us all the way from Australia! She has a passion for engaging the public in scientific research using it to hel…

Just like humans, animals can get sick too. We wander with Dr. Michelle Carstensen, Wildlife Health Program Supervisor for the Minnesota DNR. How do animals get sick? What are some of the diseases th…

Starting their research right here at Three Rivers, Dr. Jeanine Refsnider, shares the journey of being curious about Minnesota's State Threatened, Blanding's turtle, led to having her own lab at Univ…

How do baby turtles manage to wander from their nest to a lake or pond? If turtles are male or female is decided by temperature how will climate change impact them? Do turtle hatchlings coordinate th…

Listen as Brandon and Angela start local with guest Dr. Tricia Markle from the MN Zoo to explore turtle species of the north, research, and conservation efforts we can all take towards healthy turtle…

One of thing neonicotinoids are good at is traveling from where they are applied, to new areas by water. This is because it is designed to dissolve in water so seeds can suck it up. The unintended co…

How is a pesticide that targets insects harming backyard birds? Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations, Pesticides and Birds Campaign at American Bird Conservancy, joins us to talk about the li…

We are joined by Dr. Charlotte Roy from The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to discuss their research to determine if Minnesota birds and mammals are exposed to neonicotinoids. From monitor…

Get a taste for hands on experience with land management from prescribed fire and bison introductions with Molly Tranel from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  Women stepping into leader…

Talk story and authentic representation with guest Mary Montes to explore the importance of hands on experience within environmental stewardship.  Starting with a Marine Science degree out of Hawaii …