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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
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Native American History
K-12 Education
Cloquet Forestry Center
Cultural Fire Management
Hemiptera
Minnesota
Bugs

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes267Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatureEarth Sciences

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Artwork for The Wandering Naturalist

Latest Episodes

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 Mississippi. He tells us stories of the Mississippi as people tried to navigate the gorge, how its unique g... more

In July, 2025 we had a special Wandering Naturalist rafting trip on the Mississippi River with Brandon. Several participants wore microphones and we recorded the whole experience. Raft with us as we talk to Paula Suchy from Mississippi Gateway Region... more

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 anniversary for the Mississippi River inspired this year's Big Year, plays trivia with Brandon and Ange... more

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 off, ushering in a new era of The Wandering Naturalist. Wander with us as we talk about this big chan... more

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Recent Guests

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
Paula Suchy
Outdoor education specialist at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Episode: Episode 266: Big Year of Rivers - A Three Hour Tour
Ashley Levoir
Interpretive Naturalist at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Three Rivers Park District
Episode: Episode 265: Big Year of Rivers - Three Rivers
Ellen Munchower
Naturalist at Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers Park District
Episode: Episode 264: The Next Generation
Grace Milanowski
Coordinator of the Offal Wildlife Watching Project
University of Minnesota Extension
Episode: Episode 263: Stories in the Snow - Deer Guts
Dr. Ellen Candler
Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and co-leader of the Offal Wildlife Watching Project.
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Episode: Episode 263: Stories in the Snow - Deer Guts
Adrian Iacovino
Education Program Coordinator at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
Episode: Episode 261: Stories in the Snow - Reading the Stories
Tawnya Stewart
Chief People and Cultural Officer for Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures and tribal member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
Episode: Episode 260: Native American Life in the Suburbs - Basset Creek/ Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ
Kasey Keeler
Assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, enrolled tribal citizen of the Tuolumne Band of Miwok and a descendant of the Potawatomi Nation
University of Wisconsin
Episode: Episode 259: Native American Life in the Suburbs - Life in the Suburbs

Hosts

Angela Sheher
Wildlife biologist and co-host, with experience at the Three Rivers Park District, focusing on ecological education and community engagement.
Brandon Heahim
Co-host and interpretive naturalist with the Three Rivers Park District, emphasizing the interplay between nature and storytelling.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 116 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 States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many praise the podcast for its relevance to Minnesota's ecological context and for addressing local environmental issues.
The content encourages curiosity about the environment and promotes outdoor exploration.
Listeners appreciate the intelligent and accessible storytelling that enhances their appreciation for nature.
The variety of topics and guest perspectives keep the content fresh and intriguing.
Listeners enjoy the blend of expert insights and relatable content, making complex topics understandable and engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 267: Big Year of Rivers - The Once and Future Mississippi
Q: How do these unique features really lead to the creation of the Twin Cities?
Dr. Anfinson discusses how the geography of the Mississippi River shaped the development of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Episode 267: Big Year of Rivers - The Once and Future Mississippi
Q: Did you have an experience that connected you to the river or inspired your career choice?
Dr. Anfinson explains how his childhood connection to the river evolved, leading to his dedication to studying it.
Episode 267: Big Year of Rivers - The Once and Future Mississippi
Q: Can you tell us about yourself?
Dr. Anfinson describes himself as an environmental historian passionate about the Mississippi River and its significance.
Episode 264: The Next Generation
Q: What do you think you'll miss about being a co-host?
I'll miss the people I've met, the deep conversations we've had, and the incredible amount of knowledge I've learned from the podcast.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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 content focuses on the intersection of nature, environmental education, and cultural identity in the Minnesota suburban landscape. It features discussions ranging from wildlife behaviors, local ecological initiatives, and the significance of indigenous cultural narratives to contemporary environmental issues. Unique episodes explore topics like the Offal Wildlife Watching Project, the art of animal tracking, and the importance of wild rice in both cultural and ecological contexts. The hosts frequently engage with experts, allowing listeners to gain diverse perspectives on nature and conservation, making it an insightful resource for those interested in environmental issues, local history, and community engagement.

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How many listeners does The Wandering Naturalist get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Wandering Naturalist have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Wandering Naturalist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Wandering Naturalist:

1. Hidden Brain
2. Radiolab
3. Just the Zoo of Us
4. Curious Minnesota

How many episodes of The Wandering Naturalist are there?

The Wandering Naturalist launched 7 years ago and published 267 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Wandering Naturalist?

Recent guests on The Wandering Naturalist include:

1. Dr. John Anfinson
2. Paula Suchy
3. Ashley Levoir
4. Ellen Munchower
5. Grace Milanowski
6. Dr. Ellen Candler
7. Adrian Iacovino
8. Tawnya Stewart

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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