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The Wandering Naturalist

Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers Park District
Minnesota
Slime Molds
Neonicotinoids
Mississippi River
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Fishers
Wild Rice
University Of Minnesota
Environmental Justice
Dragonflies
Aquatic Plants
Community Engagement
Muskrats
Wetland Restoration
Women In Wilderness
Bats
Environmental Education
Ecology

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes284Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceEarth SciencesNature

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Artwork for The Wandering Naturalist

Latest Episodes

Sarah Nassif joins us to talk about the group she created, Art, Water, and Ecology (AWE) Network. Using her past experience as an educator, and her current profession as an artist she connects artists, scientists, and teachers to inspire people to co... more

Cole Redhorse Taylor talks to us about the art he creates and how he draws on his Dakota ancestors connections to water to inspire him. He discusses his contribution to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, as well as the work he did on the Minnesota Wild... more

Minneapolis' first Poet Laureate, Heid Erdrich joins us to discuss her poetry and how it relates to waterways. She talks to us about why water inspires her, how her Ojibwe culture influences her work, and her work with other artists in the area.

For many people, their connection to fish isn't through research, it's through fishing! For our final episode of the month we talk to Trey Fails from Dreaded Outdoors on creating a welcoming culture in fishing and outdoor recreation.

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Recent Guests

Sarah Nassig
Co-founder, AH Network (Art, Water, and Ecology Network)
AH Network
Episode: Episode 284: Rivers Inspiring Art - Art and AWE
Cole Redhorse Taylor
Local artist from Prairie Island Indian Community inspired by Dakota heritage
Dakota artist, Prairie Island Indian Community
Episode: Episode 283: Rivers Inspiring Art - Cultural Connections to Art
Heid Erdrich
Minneapolis' inaugural poet laureate; curator of Once Upon a Shore
Minnesota Marine Art Museum; Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (Dakota affiliation)
Episode: Episode 282: Rivers Inspiring Art - Poet Laureate and Waterways
Trey Fails
Founder of The Dreaded Outdoors, outdoor educator
The Dreaded Outdoors
Episode: Episode 281: Fishy Business - Let's Go Fishing
Dr. Kassandra Ford
Bell Museum's Curator of Fishes and Assistant Professor
Bell Museum / University of Minnesota
Episode: Episode 280: Fishy Business - Thousands of Jars
Jenna Nelson
Freshwater ecologist at Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers Park District
Episode: Episode 279: Fishy Business - Survey Says...
Eileen Shader
Senior Director of Floodplain Restoration for American Rivers
American Rivers
Episode: Episode 277: Floods and Floodplains - Why Should We Care?
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?

Hosts

Ellen Sheher
Co-host and interpretive naturalist with Three Rivers Park District; guides conversations and introduces guests.
Brandon He
Host and interpretive naturalist; co-hosts episodes and engages in deep-dive discussions on ecology and local nature.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 121 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 States6 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.

Listeners appreciate accessible yet thoughtful nature storytelling and practical takeaways for outdoor activities.
The show is seen as a go-to for environmental education and regional nature history.
Many praise the diverse guest mix and locally relevant topics focused on Minnesota parks and rivers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#63
Israel/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 284: Rivers Inspiring Art - Art and AWE
Q: Welcome, Sarah, can you introduce yourself?
Sarah Nassig describes herself as an independent artist, educator, and consultant who helps people connect to nature through creative experiences; she's also the artist in residence at the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization since 2021.
Episode 282: Rivers Inspiring Art - Poet Laureate and Waterways
Q: Can you introduce yourself for us?
Heid Erdrich introduces herself, explains her Anishinaabe identity, and describes her roles as poet laureate, author, editor, and curator, grounding her work in community engagement and Indigenous storytelling.
Episode 280: Fishy Business - Thousands of Jars
Q: How does functional morphology apply to fish, and why is it different from studying other animals?
She explains that fish are difficult to observe in their natural underwater habitats, so researchers infer behavior and ecology from anatomy, such as skull shape and dentition, to understand feeding and predation strategies.
Episode 280: Fishy Business - Thousands of Jars
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role?
Dr. Ford describes herself as the Bell Museum's Curator of Fishes and a Professor in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, highlighting her focus on both freshwater and tropical fishes and her dual role in museum curation and academia.
Episode 281: Fishy Business - Let's Go Fishing
Q: Speaking of the dreaded outdoors, what does it look like now?
He explains that he's balancing ongoing youth outreach with family life, continuing to run clinics and seminars, and exploring opportunities to grow The Dreaded Outdoors through partnerships with Three Rivers Park District and local schools.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Wandering Naturalist

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

The show centers on environmental education rooted in Minnesota's nature and local parks, blending scientific discussion with accessible storytelling. Episodes frequently feature ecologists, historians, and outdoor-education professionals who explore vernal pools, river ecosystems, and wildlife, often tying nature topics to community activities and local parks programs. A standout pattern is collaborative conversations with researchers and park district staff, plus a strong emphasis on citizen science, regional history, and hands-on outdoor learning opportunities for listeners in Minnesota. The format tends to mix expert insight with practical takeaways for enjoying and protecting local ecosystems, making it suitable for listeners who want ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Wandering Naturalist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Wandering Naturalist:

1. MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN
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3. Ologies with Alie Ward
4. The Science of Birds
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How many episodes of The Wandering Naturalist are there?

The Wandering Naturalist launched 8 years ago and published 284 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Wandering Naturalist?

Recent guests on The Wandering Naturalist include:

1. Sarah Nassig
2. Cole Redhorse Taylor
3. Heid Erdrich
4. Trey Fails
5. Dr. Kassandra Ford
6. Jenna Nelson
7. Eileen Shader
8. Darryl Batzer

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