Art Bike Parade
August 4 | Silverwood
Join the second ever Bike Parade! Deck out your bike in your own creative way and show it off in front of everyone.
Saturday Mornings on the Farm
Saturdays | Gale Woods
Explore the barn, meet the animals, check out what's growing in the garden or participate in seasonal activities like collecting eggs.
Noerenberg History Walks
Ongoing | Noerenberg
Take a guided walk through Noerenberg Gardens and see the eye-catching boat house architecture, the original carriage house and more!
Why and How We Survey Bumblebees at Three Rivers
By: Angela Grill
July 12, 2021
Category: Resource Management
May is the perfect time to watch for pollinator royalty: the queen bumblebee. The timing of her awakening from a winter slumber coincides nicely with the blooming of the bright yellow pinwheel-shaped flowers of a prairie favorite: wood betony. This gives me an early opportunity to check in on local bumblebee diversity within the restored prairies of Crow-Hassan Park Reserve.
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Honeybees, Bumblebees and the Case of the Collapsing Hive
By: Angela Grill
Did you know there are nearly 20,000 known bee species in the world? Nearly 4,000 bees are found in North America, and roughly 400 of those species call Minnesota home. Read on to dip your toe in the water with two well-known groups: honeybees and bumblebees.
What's in a Seed? Why Prairie Seed Collection Matters
By: Erin Korsmo
Prairies are the most threatened habitat in Minnesota. Some species that depend on prairies are now on endangered and threatened species lists. Read on to learn about the important role volunteer seed collectors play in saving the prairies and the creatures that inhabit them.
Camera Trapping: A New Way to Survey in Three Rivers
By: Alyssa Schauer
Camera trapping, a newer volunteer project in Three Rivers, provides the wildlife department with useful information about the kinds of animals found in the parks. Learn more about camera trapping and see what's been caught on film!
A Legacy of Service: How One Volunteer Gave 10,000 Hours
By: Katie Brom
June 28, 2021
Category: Philanthropy
Gene Lau started volunteering at Eastman Nature Center in the winter of 1988. An ad in his local newspaper asked for help leading snowshoe hikes. “Well, I’d never done anything like that before and didn’t know anything about Eastman Nature Center, but it was minutes from my house.” Gene recalls. “I didn’t have anything better to do and it sounded fun.”
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Volunteering: Park Patrol
By: Deb Vosler
Did you know there is a team of volunteers on park and regional trails in Three Rivers ready to help? Read on to learn about Park Patrol and the variety of ways they assist park guests.
Nature Calls Each of Us: My Experience as a Cultural Liaison
By: Nicole Fernandez
Nicole Fernandez, cultural liaison at Three Rivers, finds joy in connecting others to the outdoors. Learn what draws Nicole to nature, and read about some of her favorite experiences connecting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members to the parks.
Creating the Parks We Love Through Philanthropy
By: Karl Huemiller
Do you have an "I love Three Rivers Parks" story? Whether you find peace on a wooded trail or inspiration in a nature center, learn how these beautiful natural spaces and the amenities and experiences within them are possible.
Second Saturdays at Grimm Farmhouse
August 13 | Carver
Explore the historic Grimm farmhouse and learn about life and farm food preservation on an 1870s farm!
Managing Invasive Species That Are Here To Stay
By: Emily Dunlap
June 14, 2021
Category: Resource Management
While we wish we could snap our fingers and make invasive plants disappear, some common, widespread invasive species like garlic mustard and common buckthorn are here to stay. Invasive plants are non-native to Minnesota, cause economic or human harm and outcompete native plants. Common buckthorn and garlic mustard are widespread, and to completely eradicate these two species from Three Rivers would require countless staff and volunteers working only on removing these plants.
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Hold the Mustard, Please!
By: Missy Anderson
Learn why mustard plants can be harmful to native plants, how to identify them and what you can do to help keep our forests healthy.
Colorful Winter Vines: A Bittersweet Problem
By: Missy Anderson
Around the Twin Cities, there is a woody vine that looks similar to one of our native vines — but is highly invasive. Read on to learn why oriental bittersweet is a problem, how to distinguish it from American bittersweet and what you can do to help.
How You Can Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
By: Angie Smith
Boating is a great way to maintain social distance and breathe in some fresh air. Before you get out on the water, here's a quick refresher on how you can prevent aquatic invasive species from further impacting Minnesota's waterways.
Baker Play Area Grand Opening Celebration
June 12 | Baker Play Area
The new Baker Play Area is open! From 10 AM–1 PM, check out the new play area, including a new climbing feature and a 100-foot zip line. Dance to KidsDance, and enjoy a free frozen treat while supplies last.
