The Wandering Naturalist
Episodes
Episode 272: Women and Waterways - Journeys through Time
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jade Ryerson, historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, wanders with us through time and she shares stories of women who have...
Episode 271: Women and Waterways - Kayaking the Mississippi
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wander with us down the Mississippi River as Devin Brown joins us to discuss how her connection to the Mississippi River changed her life. Her first m...
Episode 270: Say What? Plants and Fungi
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Peter Kennedy from the University of Minnesota joins us to discuss the latest research on the relationships between plants and fungi. From tree so...
Episode 269: Say What? Talking Plants
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do plants really talk? Not like we do, but Dr. Simon Gilroy, Professor of Botany at the University of Wisconsin Madison, shares the research he and ot...
Episode 268: Say What? Animal Communication
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wander with Brandon and Ellen as they explore how animals communicate. From communication that is obvious to us like sound, to communication we may no...
Episode 267: Big Year of Rivers - The Once and Future Mississippi
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. John Anfinson, one of the leading experts on the Mississippi River in our area joins us to talk about the past, present, and future of the Mississ...
Episode 266: Big Year of Rivers - A Three Hour Tour
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In July, 2025 we had a special Wandering Naturalist rafting trip on the Mississippi River with Brandon. Several participants wore microphones and we r...
Episode 265: Big Year of Rivers - Three Rivers
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We start a new season with a new co-host, Ellen, and a new Big Year to celebrate- Big Year of Rivers! Ashley Levoir, joins us to discuss how a big ann...
Episode 264: The Next Generation
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every season must come to an end so a new season may begin. A warm and engaging nature expert whose voice we've enjoyed for seven seasons is signing o...
Episode 263: Stories in the Snow - Deer Guts
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grace Milanowski, Coordinator, Offal Wildlife Watching Project (with UMN Extension) and Dr. Ellen Candler from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, ta...
Episode 262: Stories in the Snow - Connecting to Lakota Knowledge
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Kurtz, enrolled member from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, shares how he taught himself to read animal signs and photograph them...
Episode 261: Stories in the Snow - Reading the Stories
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adrian Iacovino, Education Program Coordinator at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and professional animal tracker, wanders with us as he recounts...
Episode 260: Native American Life in the Suburbs - Basset Creek/ Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before Basset Creek was named Basset Creek it was named by the Dakota and called Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ. Tawnya Stewart, an Ojibwe woman who grew up withi...
Episode 259: Native American Life in the Suburbs - Life in the Suburbs
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Kasey Keeler wanders with us to discuss her personal experience and her professional research on life in the suburbs as a Native American in Henne...
Episode 258: Native American Life in the Suburbs - Paul Bunyan
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox are classic stories in Minnesota culture. Where did these stories originate from? How are they connected to Ojibw...
Episode 257: Inconceivable Slime Molds - Slime that's Write?!
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
OK, slime molds don't write. But amazing things have been written about them, allowing us to appreciate their wonder, explore societal ideas, and insp...
Episode 256: Inconceivable Slime Molds - Slime that's Intelligent?!
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is intelligence defined? If you define it as learning and applying knowledge, then slime molds are intelligent. How did scientists determine this?...
Episode 255: Inconceivable Slime Molds - Slime that Moves?!
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is a slime mold? It is an inconceivable single celled organism that can weigh up to 40 pounds, think and learn, and crawl around the forest floor...
Episode 254: Wonders of Wild Rice - What is it? 1854 Treaty Authority
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Darren Vogt, Resource Management Division Director at 1854 Treaty Authority, joins us to discuss what the 1854 Treaty Authority is, how the Ojibwe vie...
Episode 253: Wonders of Wild Rice - Restoring it in Three Rivers
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you restore wild rice to an area? Steven Hogg, Senior Manager of Wildlife at Three Rivers Park District, talks about the work done to bring bac...
Episode 252: Wonders of Wild Rice - What is it?
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wild rice can be found in every grocery store, but what is it? Is it a rice? A grain? Find out as we learn about this uniquely North American food tha...
Episode 251: Urban Trees - Preventing Future Ash Borers
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Adam Berland from Ball State University joins us to talk about research on why trees are important for people in an urban environment. He also tal...
Episode 250: Urban Trees - The Next Generation
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laila Bacon and Makayla Freeman started working with Analyah Schlaeger do Santos when they were 14 years old. Seven years later they are still plantin...
Episode 249: Urban Trees - Starting with the Community
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trees provide health, economic, and many other benefits just by being present. However, some suburbs and urban areas in and around Minneapolis and Hen...
Episode 248: Fisher Facts - THE Fisher Guy
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While connecting with fisher researchers Angela and Brandon were told over and over that there was one researcher they had to talk to. Dr. Roger Powel...
Episode 247: Fisher Facts - Research in the City
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Michael Joyce of the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota joins us to talk about why NRRI is researching fis...
Episode 246: Fisher Facts - What is a Fisher?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fishers have been moving from northern Minnesota south and can now be seen in the Twin Cities area. What is a fisher? Join Brandon and Angela as they ...
Episode 245: Whispers of Wildlife Diseases - Scoop a Poop and More
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why does a scientist want poop mailed to them? Find out as Dr. Dr. Michelle Power joins us all the way from Australia! She has a passion for engaging ...
Episode 244: Whispers of Wildlife Diseases - Fish Diseases
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever seen a sick fish? Dr. Isaiah E Tolo, Fish Health Supervisor at the Minnesota DNR, discusses diseases that affect fish, how he monitors f...
Episode 243: Whispers of Wildlife Diseases - Minnesota Diseases
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just like humans, animals can get sick too. We wander with Dr. Michelle Carstensen, Wildlife Health Program Supervisor for the Minnesota DNR. How do a...
Episode 242: Turtle Treks - Adapting to a Changing World
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Starting their research right here at Three Rivers, Dr. Jeanine Refsnider, shares the journey of being curious about Minnesota's State Threatened, Bla...
Episode 241: Turtle Treks - Nesting Insight
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do baby turtles manage to wander from their nest to a lake or pond? If turtles are male or female is decided by temperature how will climate chang...
Episode 240: Turtle Treks - Shells of the North
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listen as Brandon and Angela start local with guest Dr. Tricia Markle from the MN Zoo to explore turtle species of the north, research, and conservati...
Episode 239: Toxic Trails of Neonicotinoids - Neonics in the Water
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of thing neonicotinoids are good at is traveling from where they are applied, to new areas by water. This is because it is designed to dissolve i...
Episode 238: Toxic Trails of Neonicotinoids - Backyard Birds
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is a pesticide that targets insects harming backyard birds? Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations, Pesticides and Birds Campaign at America...
Episode 237: Toxic Trails of Neonicotinoids - Minnesota's Birds and Mammals
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are joined by Dr. Charlotte Roy from The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to discuss their research to determine if Minnesota birds and ma...
Episode 236: Women and Wilderness – What Was Lost
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Get a taste for hands on experience with land management from prescribed fire and bison introductions with Molly Tranel from the Minnesota Department ...
Episode 235: Women and Wilderness – Authentic Representation
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Talk story and authentic representation with guest Mary Montes to explore the importance of hands on experience within environmental stewardship. St...
Episode 234: Women and Wilderness – Forestry Learning
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Starting in forestry and branching into education to engage women specifically with woodland management, Angie Gupta, a Forestry Extension Professor a...
Episode 233: Ripples in the Wetlands - Muskrats Management
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our Wildlife Supervisor Steven Hogg joins us to discuss his love for muskrats, their impacts on wetlands, and the balance Three Rivers has to find for...
Episode 232: Ripples in the Wetlands - Muskrats and Cattails
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Adam A. Ahlers from Kansas State University wanders with us as we discuss his research in Minnesota on muskrats. Through relocation studies, prefe...
Episode 231: Ripples in the Wetlands - Muskrats 101
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is a muskrat and why has such a small creature been connected to international trade, World War 2, and the survival of wetlands? Join Bra...
Episode 230: Echoes of the Woodpeckers - Red-headed Woodpeckers
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Red-headed Woodpeckers are a strikingly beautiful and increasingly rare woodpecker. Join us as Dr. Elena West from the University of Minnesota discuss...
Episode 229: Echoes of the Woodpeckers - Thriving in the Suburbs
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Jorge Tomasevic, Research Coordinator at Austral University of Chile, joins us to talk about the research he did in Seattle on whether Pileated Wo...
Episode 228: Echoes of the Woodpeckers - From Beak to Toes
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Start season 7 off with a bang! Literally, as Angela and Brandon explore how all of a woodpeckers adaptations are connected, allowing them to bang the...
Episode 227: Dragonfly Festival Live - Audience Questions
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wander with us as our audience asks questions and Angela and Ron answer them. What is one of Ron's most memorable dragonfly experiences? Can we see al...
Episode 226: Dragonfly Festival Live!
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As season six comes to a close we look back at a summer highlight of the Big Year of Bugs. Join Angela at Eastman Nature Center's Dragonfly Festival...
Episode 225: Getting Squirrely - A Hmong Perspective
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kao Thao, Outreach Naturalist from Fort Snelling State, wanders with us to discuss the history of squirrel hunting in Hmong Culture and why this makes...
Episode 224: Getting Squirrely - City Squirrels
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do squirrels do so well in our cities and suburbs? Doctorate student Charlotte Devitz from the University of Minnesota joins us to talk about h...
Episode 223: Getting Squirrely - What is a Squirrel?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wander with us as we head into the treetops and explore the unique world of tree squirrels! Why are they so good at getting into your bird feeders? Do...
Episode 222: Veterans in Nature - A Personal Story
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel and Amanda Crawford share their personal story of how the trauma from Daniel's service in the Marine Corp impacted their family, and how 23rd V...
Episode 221: Veterans in Nature - 23rd Veteran
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us from 23rd Veteran is the Executive Director Mike Waldron and the Program Manager Matt Rosky. They share with us how their personal experien...
Episode 220: Veterans in Nature - Why Nature Helps Continued
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are back to finish our conversation with Brandon Harding as he talks about the successes, he saw in using nature to cope with trauma. Find out why ...
Episode 219: Veterans in Nature - Why Nature Helps
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Veterans and active-duty military members can struggle with trauma from their service. Former military chaplain Brandon Harding joins us to discuss wh...
Episode 218: Intriguing Bats of Minnesota - Endangered Species
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Northern Long-eared Bat is a Federally Endangered Species. Jill Utrup from USFWS manages the recovery team for the Northern Long-eared Bat. She ta...
Episode 217: Intriguing Bats of Minnesota - White-nose Syndrome
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Christine Salomon from the University of Minnesota joins us to discuss her research on controlling white-nose syndrome. Come spelunking with us as...
Episode 216: Intriguing Bats of Minnesota - Not so scary
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's spooky season and Melissa Boman with the MN DNR joins us to talk about the creature of the night, bats! From what bats live in Minnesota, to how ...
Episode 215: Sustaining Oaks - From Acorn to Oak
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are joined by Missy Anderson, Propagation Specialist at Three Rivers Park District to talk about how they grow acorns into mighty oak sapling that ...
Episode 214: Sustaining Oaks - Oaks in our Parks
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Comerford, Forestry Supervisor at Three Rivers Park District, walks us through how oak trees are managed in Three Rivers' parks. From dealing with...
Episode 213: Sustaining Oaks - The Most Powerful Plant
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Doug Tallamy, famous author, professor, and more wanders with us to discuss the one plant that can have the biggest impact in your yard, oaks. We ...
Episode 212: The Hopping Orchestra - Minnesota Locust Plagues
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A swarm of wings that darkened the sky. Millions of bodies on railroad tracks that kept the trains from moving. Crops, clothes, and anything else orga...
Episode 211: The Hopping Orchestra - Grasshopper Songs
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Hojun Song, from Texas A&M University's Department of Entomology discusses his research on how grasshopper songs have evolved. From cricket calls ...
Episode 210: The Hopping Orchestra - Backyard Grasshoppers
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hop along with us as Marissa Schuh a University of Minnesota Extension Educator joins us to explore the common grasshoppers in the Twin Cities area, a...
Episode 209: Return of Fading Butterflies - Preparing for Butterflies
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Moriarty, Senior Wildlife Manager at Three Rivers Park District, returns to talk about how you prepare to reintroduced a rare or endangered butte...
Episode 208: Return of Fading Butterflies - Sanctuary in Army Bases
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Land management or stewardship is a complex task, especially when you are managing nature on an Army Base. Jessup Weichelt, Land Manager at Fort McCoy...
Episode 207: Return of Fading Butterflies - Minnesota Pollinators
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is a state pollinator coordinator? Rebecca Gutierrez-Moreno, the State Pollinator Coordinator with the Environmental Quality Board, wanders with ...
Episode 206: Hidden Depth - Invasive Species
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Dan Larkin from the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the U of M discusses invasive aquatic species, issues with curr...
Episode 205: Hidden Depth - Three Rivers Plants
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Justin Valenty from our Water Resources team joins us to dive into how they monitor aquatic plants in the park district and some cool management techn...
Episode 204: Hidden Depth - Water Plants
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon faces his fears and dives with Angela below the water to explore the plants that call lakes, ponds, and rivers home. Donna Perleberg, Aquatic ...
Episode 203: Secrets of the Soil - Bugs in the Soil
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabrina Celis and Emily Althoff, graduate students at the University of Minnesota and members of Frenatae join us to learn about the bugs that keep so...
Episode 202: Secrets of the Soil - Keepers of the Soil
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Romano from the Land Stewardship Project joins us to talk about how farmers are leading each other to sustainable practices and healthy soil. How...
Episode 201: Secrets of the Soil - Jumping Worms
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Lee Frelich Director of the Center for Forest Ecology at the University of Minnesota wanders with us as we discuss what makes forest soil healthy ...
Episode 200: Talking Turkey - Hunting Wild Turkey
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meg Duhr, Three Rivers Invasive Species Supervisor and participant of Becoming an Outdoor Woman or BOW, and her BOW mentor Kathy Von Bank join us to d...
Episode 199: Talking Turkey - Managing Game Birds
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nate Huck, Resident Game Bird Specialist, and Timothy Lyon, Research Scientist and Upland Game Project Leader, both from the Minnesota Department of N...
Episode 198: Talking Turkey - Dispelling Myths
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Angela and Brandon go on their own hunt to figure out fact and fiction on the topic of turkeys. Can turkeys fly? How did they get their name? Did Be...
Episode 197: Women and Wilderness – Land for Healing
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching and engaging with nature takes many forms, from film, writing, creative art, and much more. Local writer, organizer, and film producer, Eri...
Episode 196: Women and Wilderness – Sparks of Hope
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Connecting everyone with the outdoors and wilderness continues to evolve, those stepping in to continue the legacy of outreach is changing, creating a...
Episode 195: Women and Wilderness – Changing Outdoor Paths
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Working in any aspect of the outdoors is rewarding to most, fresh air and endless curiosity. Join Angela, Brandon, and guest co-host Charity, as the...
Episode 194: What's Love Got To Do With It - Symbiotes with The Land
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can humans and the land be in a mutualistic relationship? Jenna Grey-Eagle and Gabby Menomin from Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi share their thoughts on why...
Episode 193: What's Love Got To Do With It - Cultural Bias in Science
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum talks with us about how cultural biases impact how we study things ...
Episode 192: What's Love Got To Do With It - The Good, The Bad, and The Heartbroken
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon and Angela explore the spectrum of symbiotes. From mutualistic relationships that are like you and your friend making each other better, to ...
Episode 191: Bugs are Friends - Even in Your House
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Holly Menninger executive director of the Bell Museum wanders with us to discuss her research on the bugs found in your homes! Why are they there?...
Episode 190: Bugs are Friends - A Bug Library
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Robin Thomson the curator for the University of Minnesota Insect Collection joins us to talk about what running a bug library is like. With insect...
Episode 189: Bugs Are Friends - What is a Bug?
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is BYOB! Big Year of Bugs. The coordinator for the year, Bailey Kaul, joins us to discuss why Three Rivers is celebrating bugs for a year, the dive...
Episode 188: TEK - Bringing Back Fire?
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
White Earth Band of Chippewa member and Fond du Lac fire program manager Damon Panek as well as Rachel Olesiak, Research Plot Coordinator for the U of...
Episode 187: TEK - Understand Native Minnesota
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, Secretary/Treasurer of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and leader of the Understand Native Minnesota campaign joins ...
Episode 186: TEK - What is TEK?
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Deondre Smiles, member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Assistant Professor at the University Of Victoria, Canada and his graduate student Aid...
Episode 185: Warm Winters - A Personal Story
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leslee Gutiérrez Carrillo is a local climate activist who joins us to share her personal story about why and how she has worked to combat climate cha...
Episode 184: Warm Winters - Managing Parks
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As our climate changes, the ways we manage parks have to change as well. Dr. Heidi Roop, Director of the University of Minnesota's Climate Adaptation ...
Episode 183: Warm Winters - Minnesota's Climate Change
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How is climate change affecting you? Brandon and Angela share stories of how the warmer winters are impacting their lives. Dr. Luigi Romolo, Minnesota...
Episode 182 – What Was That? - Rocky Lied to Me!
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nighttime can bring a lot of fears of the unknown, what we can't see but can hear. Our imagination gets the best of us...but there is likely a reaso...
Episode 181 - What was That? - Moth Magic
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle Johnson, Minnesota Biological Survey entomologist, wanders with us to discuss how moths in Minnesota are surveyed. How many moths are in Minnesot...
Episode 180 - What was That? - Bumps in the Night
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The nights are getting longer, the aeolians of the wind creepier…What was that? Join Angela and Brandon for a night time excursion as they explore t...
Episode 179 - Access Through Community - Urban Roots
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
David Woods, Conservation Program Director for Urban Roots, joins us to discuss how Urban Roots in St. Paul works to encourage youth to enter careers ...
Episode 178 - Access Through Community - Birdability
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Birdability was created to help everybody bird. Virginia Rose, founder, and Michael Hurben, Birdability's local representative join us to discuss what...
Episode 177 - Access Through Community - How do Community Groups Help?
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Asha Shoffner, founder of FIWYGIN (Fusion) Outdoors and BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities joins us to discuss the importance of having groups people can iden...
Episode 176 - It's Not A Carp - The Gar Guy
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did Brandon meet his match on puns? Find out as Dr. Solomon David, an aquatic biologist, assistant professor of biological sciences at Nicholls State...
Episode 175 - It's Not A Carp - Minnesota's Fish
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tyler Winter, River Ecologist and Director of Native Fish for Tomorrow, joins us as we explore Minnesota's native fish. What are some things that make...
Episode 174 - It's Not A Carp - Is it a Rough Fish?
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Andrew Rypel, Professor at the University of California Davis and the Peter B. Moyle and California Trout Endowed Chair explores the underwater wo...
Episode 173 - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Beetle - If you Build It
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Barry Knisley, Professor Emeritus of Randolph-Macon College & Rodger Gwiazdowski, Adjunct Professor, Department of Environmental Conservation, Univers...