The Wandering Naturalist
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.
- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 28 minutes
- Episodes
- 254
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Episode 14 - Earthworms, Buckthorn, and Flowers, Oh My - April Showers, May Wildflowers
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 Th…
Episode 13 - Growing While It's Snowing - April Showers, May Wildflowers
How can plant's grow while there is snow on the ground? Can a plant really produce its own heat? Tune in to this episode to find out as Angela and Brandon discuss the difference between a Spring Ephe…
Episode 12 - Calls of Spring – Monitoring Frogs in the Dark
To determine status, distribution, and long-term population trends of frogs, citizen scientists participate in surveys in which they listen and record calling frogs. In this episode we are joined by …
Episode 10 - Calls of Spring – The Racket of Frogs
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 f…
Episode 9 - Wandering the Sugar Bush - Cooking with Maple 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 un…
Episode 8 - Wandering the Sugar Bush - The Science of Syruping
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…
Episode 7 - Wandering the Sugar Bush - A Native Perspective on Maple Syrup
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; …
Episode 6 - Strange Calls in the Night - Owl Ambassadors
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 …
Episode 5 - Strange Calls in the Night - Tracking Owl Nests
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 proje…
Episode 4 - Strange Calls in the Night - Super Ears and Keen Eyes
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…
Episode 3 - Snow and its History with Minnesota
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 2 - Snow and its Relationship with Plants
In the second part of this series on snow, Angela and Brandon talk about the advantages and challenges snow brings to plant life.
Episode 1 - Snow and its Relationship to Animals
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.