Wandering Through an Image

By: Brandon Baker

August 02, 2022

Category: Behind the Scenes

After four years, 127 episodes and 94,000 downloads, we decided that we wanted a new image that better reflects the stories The Wandering Naturalist tells and hopes to tell in the future. 

We knew from the beginning of our graphic brainstorm that we wanted a graphic that would speak to everyone in our beautifully diverse community and visually connect them to our parks and trails. This is why there are no human shapes in the graphic, only nature and a compass, so every person can see themselves as the navigator of their own experience.

About the Author

A side view of a man in a shortsleeved blue polo shirt and a khaki brimmed hat.

Brandon Baker has been an interpretive naturalist at Eastman Nature Center for 10 years. Before working for Three Rivers Park District, he worked as a naturalist for the National Park Service, Wood Lake Nature Center and Springbrook Nature Center. He moved to Minnesota from Florida for the snow, and he is a big fan of Star Trek.

Getting Started with Birding Lists and Competitive Events

By: John Moriarty

June 08, 2022

Category: Big Year of Birds

Bird-watching incorporates a full spectrum of activities. Some individuals enjoy casually watching chickadees at their bird feeders. Others travel around the world to find more species of birds than anyone else. As you bird, you may become more interested in the more competitive birding options or simply start logging the different species you’re seeing. 

Birding lists 

Most people, including me, watch birds in their own yards, or in parks and natural areas close to their homes. Of the many bird lists that exist, the only list I keep is a yard list.  

About the Author

 a man in a hat and tan collared shirt holding a turtle upside down and pointing to it's underbelly.

John Moriarty is the Senior Manager of Wildlife at Three Rivers Park District and has been with the Park District for 15 years. He has been involved in many of the wildlife restoration efforts and initiated the snake and butterfly efforts. John has led several projects to increase prairie habitat in the Park District. John likes exploring natural areas and looking for all types of plants and animals, but especially turtles.

The Big Sit

June 11 | Multiple Locations

Learn more about the birds in our different parks and count how many different species you see within a 12-hour period from within a 25-foot circle.

https://www.threeriversparks.org/page/big-sit Learn More

Juneteenth Celebration

Listen to live music, participate in the open mic poetry and spoken word hour, enjoy free canoe rides and games, check out community vendors and more!

https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=Global&keyword=3SIL5000 Learn More

20 pages of activities to help you explore

Learn about nature all around you with the Junior Naturalist Activity Book! Pick up a free copy at this location or print it out. Available in both English and Spanish.

https://www.threeriversparks.org/juniornaturalist Learn More

Three Rivers Park District Adopts 2022 Redistricting Plan

May 25, 2022

In accordance with Minnesota law, the Board of Commissioners of Three Rivers Park District adopted the 2022 redistricting plan at its regular meeting on April 21, 2022. A public hearing on the proposed redistricting plan was held on March 24, 2022.

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