Three Rivers Launches New Podcast: The Wandering Naturalist

December 31, 2018

On Wednesday, January 2, Three Rivers Park District will be launching a new podcast, The Wandering Naturalist. The Wandering Naturalist explores the natural and cultural history of the 27,000-acre Three Rivers Park District and the surrounding Twin Cities area.

Hosted by Brandon Baker, an Interpretive Naturalist at Eastman Nature Center, and Wildlife Biologist Angela Grill, of Three Rivers Park District, the podcast covers a new topic each month. Baker and Grill discuss the basic science and biology of each month’s topic and interview expert guests for a lively and in-depth conversation on how natural and cultural history shapes and impacts the parks of today and their surrounding communities.

Baker explains, “The Wandering Naturalist wanders from park to park and discusses the stories of the past, the nature in our present, and how these have shaped our parks.” Grill adds that, “the goal of the podcast is to be a gateway for listeners to have a deeper understanding of the natural world around them and how, over time, plants, animals and people have adapted to and shaped that world.” 

The podcast launches with three episodes all about snow and continues with new episodes each month on; owls, maple syruping, frogs, spring wildflowers, water quality, dragonflies, native pollinators, the 50th anniversaries of Lowry Nature Center and the Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, real zombies, strategies for winter survival and deer. 

Beginning January 2, the Podcast can be downloaded on, iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Stitcher and new episodes will be released on the first Wednesday of each month.

About Brandon Baker

Brandon Baker is an Interpretive Naturalist at Eastman Nature Center and has a degree in biology and environmental studies from St. John’s University.  Baker’s passion is connecting people to the great outdoors.  Each year he introduces thousands of children and adults to the natural world through innovative and informative interpretive programming.  He enjoys learning how human history and the natural environment have combined to shape the world we live in.

About Angela Grill

Angela Grill graduated from Minnesota State University – Mankato with degrees in ecology and geography. She has a passion for being outdoors and ensuring conservation of the natural heritage of our lands.  As a wildlife biologist at Three Rivers Park District, she enjoys working on a wide range of projects from restoring prairies to pollinator surveys.