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The Wandering Naturalist

Three Rivers Park District
Women In Wilderness
Insects
Environmental Education
Biodiversity
Wild Turkey
Environmental Justice
Wildlife Conservation
Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources
Understand Native Minnesota
Ojibwe Culture
Symbiotic Relationships
Wild Turkeys
Native American History
K-12 Education
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Cultural Fire Management
Cloquet Forestry Center
Minnesota
Bugs
Hemiptera

Explore the history and present of over 27,000 acres of park land inside Minnesota's Hennepin County and surrounding areas. Hosts Ellen (interpretive naturalist) and Brandon (interpretive naturalist) guide you through this suburban wilderness managed by the Three Rivers Park District.

PublishesDailyEpisodes275Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureScienceEarth Sciences

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Artwork for The Wandering Naturalist

Latest Episodes

Our final episode this month goes fully into the vernal pool weeds! Brandon and Ellen bring out their favorite stars of this ecosystem. We talk fairy shrimp, fishing spiders, caddisflies, water boatmen, and backswimmers. For creatures so small, this ... more

In our second episode we sit down with Dr. Mark Hanson to hear about his research on vernal pools during his career with the Minnesota DNR. We zoom out a bit from vernal pools themselves and learn about their impact on what's around them. From bears ... more

Time to get your feet wet in the world of vernal pools! This month's topic zooms in on these often overlooked, but crucially important ecosystems. In our first episode we meet with Dr. Darold Batzer, a professor of entomology at the University of Geo... more

Jade Ryerson, historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, wanders with us through time and she shares stories of women who have connected to the Mississippi River in the past and how that impacts us today. From Dakota women inv... more

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Recent Guests

Darryl Batzer
Researcher, vernal pool expert
Not specified in transcript
Episode: Episode 275: The Vernal Pool Parade - Who's With the Band?
Mark Hansen
Researcher, vernal pool expert
Not specified in transcript
Episode: Episode 275: The Vernal Pool Parade - Who's With the Band?
Mark Hanson
Researcher with Minnesota DNR focused on vernal ponds and landscape-scale influences
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Episode: Episode 274:The Vernal Pool Parade - A Deeper Dive
Darold Batzer
Professor of entomology, University of Georgia; wetland ecologist with extensive publications on vernal pools
University of Georgia
Episode: Episode 273: The Vernal Pool Parade - A Dip into the Pool
Jade Ryerson
Park Historian at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
National Park Service
Episode: Episode 272: Women and Waterways - Journeys through Time
Devin Ashley Brown
Avid paddler and adventurer attempting to kayak the Mississippi River solo
Episode: Episode 271: Women and Waterways - Kayaking the Mississippi
Peter Kennedy
Professor in the Department of Plant Microbial Biology at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: Episode 270: Say What? Plants and Fungi
Dr. Simon Gilroy
Professor of Botany at the University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Wisconsin Madison
Episode: Episode 269: Say What? Talking Plants
Dr. John Anfinson
Environmental historian of the Mississippi River with over 30 years of experience.
National Park Service
Episode: Episode 267: Big Year of Rivers - The Once and Future Mississippi

Hosts

Brandon Heahim
An interpretive naturalist with expertise in wildlife and ecosystems.
Ellen Sheher
Co-host and interpretive naturalist with the Three Rivers Park District, focusing on community engagement and education.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 120 ratings
  • Fascinating and fun

    Intelligent and accessible stories from our environment that help us appreciate nature even more. Level of conversation is perfect for intelligent adults and mature children alike. Cultivate your sense of wonder learning fascinating details about our natural world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Green Janine
    United States2 years ago
  • Must listen.

    This podcast covers all aspects of nature. It also helps you want to know more about nature and helps you get outside and learn some more about nature.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beet,farm,shruchte
    United States4 years ago
  • Explore 27,000 acres of Beautiful reserves & restored wetlands In the heart of the Twin Cities

    Podcast Addict
    5
    c.shaunnyrun
    5 years ago
  • Love!

    Fantastic podcast with so many interesting topics- just the right length!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jess4984
    United States5 years ago
  • Love!!!!

    I have been bingeing this podcast while taking my Minnesota Master Naturalist classes, and I love how relevant every topic has been, and I’m learning so much more! I think I’m on the second to last episode available at this time, and I’m so sad it’s almost over.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    paint_me_your_song
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging stories make complex topics accessible and enjoyable.
Content impressively merges local cultural history with environmental themes.
Listeners appreciate the educational focus on nature and conservation efforts.
The conversational tone enhances relatability, inviting diverse perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#168
Brazil/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#199
Denmark/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#200
Sweden/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 273: The Vernal Pool Parade - A Dip into the Pool
Q: Why is the drying phase important for wetland plants and animals?
The drying phase triggers processes like seed germination for many plants and creates ecological niches for organisms that tolerate desiccation and rely on periodic drying to complete life cycles.
Episode 273: The Vernal Pool Parade - A Dip into the Pool
Q: What exactly is a vernal pool, and how is it different from other ponds?
Dr. Batzer explains that a vernal pool is defined by its hydroperiod—the seasonal flooding and drying pattern—rather than by a fixed location, and that these dynamics shape which organisms can persist there.
Episode 269: Say What? Talking Plants
Q: Are plants conscious based on their ability to process information and respond to stimuli?
The discussion explores the complexities of defining consciousness, proposing that while plants can respond to their environment, claiming consciousness is complicated due to our definitions being influenced by human perspectives.
Episode 269: Say What? Talking Plants
Q: What other senses has research shown that plants have?
Plants can respond to touch, smell, and vibrations, indicating they can sense their environment in various ways.
Episode 267: Big Year of Rivers - The Once and Future Mississippi
Q: What are the upsides of removing the dams?
Removing the dams could significantly improve biodiversity, bring back native fish species, and enhance recreational opportunities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Wandering Naturalist

What is The Wandering Naturalist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This audio series offers engaging discussions centered around nature, ecosystems, and the unique relationships between flora and fauna. Frequent themes include plant and animal communication, ecological history, and conservation strategies, particularly as they relate to Minnesota's environments. By featuring expert guests from academia and conservation, it provides listeners with deep insights into the science behind nature while remaining accessible and relatable. Notably, the podcast emphasizes community involvement and citizen science initiatives, inviting local listeners to actively participate in their natural surroundings.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Wandering Naturalist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Wandering Naturalist:

1. Nature Guys
2. MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN
3. The Science of Birds
4. Outside/In
5. BirdNote Daily

How many episodes of The Wandering Naturalist are there?

The Wandering Naturalist launched 7 years ago and published 275 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Wandering Naturalist?

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What guests have appeared on The Wandering Naturalist?

Recent guests on The Wandering Naturalist include:

1. Darryl Batzer
2. Mark Hansen
3. Mark Hanson
4. Darold Batzer
5. Jade Ryerson
6. Devin Ashley Brown
7. Peter Kennedy
8. Dr. Simon Gilroy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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