It’s one of those late-season muggy days outside, and through the hazy sunshine there is a hesitation of rain. My students and I have just finished stitching together our nature journals and we wander out to the teaching garden at Silverwood to find a spot to sit and journal.
I tell them to pick one flower, one plant, one tree, any one piece of nature and sit with it for at least 10 minutes to draw and write as much detail as they can. I encourage them to ask questions, take notes, sketch shapes and textures, and record any detail they notice in this experience.
About the Author
Cora Williams is an Art Educator at Silverwood Park and has been working with Three Rivers Park District since the spring of 2018. Her childhood in California fostered a fascination with nature and the opportunities the outdoors provide for introspection. While earning her bachelor's degree in Art History at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, she fell in love with the steady rhythm of the seasons in the Midwest and has lived in Minneapolis since 2016. Cora enjoys being active and creative in the outdoors all year long, especially carving wooden spoons around fall campfires with her dog and husband.
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Bridging Access To Joy In The Outdoors For Latino Seniors
By: Giannina Posner
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Category: People of the Parks
As we enter National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), Three Rivers joins in honoring the contributions and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Outdoor spaces in the United States have suffered from a lack of diversity. We are working to change that, making Three Rivers a safe and accessible place.
About the Author
Giannina is originally from Peru and has been in the US for over 25 years. She is a Community Engagement Specialist at Three Rivers. Giannina has many years of experience doing community engagement. She has remarkable talent for connecting with people and facilitating meaningful conversations between park staff and community members and organizations. She enjoys being with people and is very involved in her community. In her free time, Giannina likes to be outdoors with family and friends, loves soccer, and enjoys making videos.
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Breaking Down Barriers to Camping
By: Chia Xiong
Camping can offer new ways to connect to nature, but there is recognizable privilege in being able to do it. Learn how our Community Engagement team worked with community partners and other staff members to establish a Camping Gear Lending Library and offer introductory camping experiences to interested groups.
Creating Access and Equity in Biking
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Controlling Invasives: Anatomy of an Ecological Restoration
By: Paul Kortebein
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Category: Resource Management
The Natural Resources Management department at Three Rivers does a lot of ecological restoration work. This work involves re-establishing appropriate native plant communities, with the goal of making them as self-sustaining as possible by limiting the prevalence of undesirable plants.
Curious how this works? Follow me as I walk you through an ongoing restoration project here at Three Rivers that involves controlling Oriental bittersweet – a very tenacious vine.
About the Author
Paul is the Manager of Forestry and Horticulture at Three Rivers Park District – a position he has held for the past 10 years. Prior to that he was stomping around the wilds of Milwaukee County as the natural areas manager, and before that he was stomping around the wilds of New York City (yes, there are some) as an environmental restoration project manager for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. In his spare time he enjoys installing flashing on old windows.
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Looking for new ideas for date night? Or are you meeting someone for the first time and want to plan an outdoorsy adventure? Whether you’re on date number 500 or date number one, with 27,000 acres of parks and trails, Three Rivers is full of scenic ways to spend a romantic afternoon or evening. Here are 10 ideas:
About the Author
Mary is a volunteer blog contributor who has been participating in Three Rivers Park District activities for many years, as both a volunteer and participant. She enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, biking, kayaking and canoeing. Mary is also a poet; her chapbook, Between the stars where you are lost, is available from Finishing Line Press. You can find her online at MaryChristineKane.com.
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Quiet Parks to Explore
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As Earth blooms, we’re all feeling the urge to get outside and welcome spring. But in the midst of COVID-19, how can we do it safely? We’ve rounded up a list of some quiet places to explore where you can find the space you need to spread out and still bask in the beauty of spring sunshine.
Village Sampler Guided Tour
Weekends through September 6 | The Landing
Take a guided tour inside historic homes and explore what life was like in a Minnesota River town in the late 1800s.
Young Birders Club
Ongoing | Multiple Locations
Meet other kids who are interested in birds, and learn about raptors, owls and other birds by joining Young Birders Club!
Adapted Mountain Bike Club
September 24–October 8 | Carver
Enjoy mountain biking on an adapted three-wheeled mountain bike. Trained staff and volunteers will accompany riders each session.
Forest Bathing for Adults
September 4 & 25 | Multiple Locations
Go on an immersive, meditative and therapeutic forest walk based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku. Led by certified Forest Bathing Instructor, David Motzenbecker.