The Joy of Nature Journaling

By: Cora Williams

October 25, 2021

Category: Nature Notes

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, an art educator at Silverwood Park, smiles in an outdoor setting.

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.

Bridging Access To Joy In The Outdoors For Latino Seniors

By: Giannina Posner

September 13, 2021

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

Three Rivers Community Engagement Specialist Giannina Poster smiles for a photo in front of a lake.

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. 

Controlling Invasives: Anatomy of an Ecological Restoration

By: Paul Kortebein

November 29, 2021

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

a man wearing a hat and a backpack. only his head and neck are in the photo.

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.

10 Summery Outdoor Date Ideas

By: Mary Christine Kane

August 23, 2021

Category: Recreation

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

a woman with shoulder length blonde hair wearing a plaid scarf and gray sweater

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.

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.

https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=global&keyword=3LAN3125,4LAN1125 Register Now

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!

https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=Global&Action=Start&display=detail&keyword=birders Register Now

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.

https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=Global&keyword=4REC1025 Register Now

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.

https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=Global&keyword=4REC1110,4SIL1115 Register Now
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