Read. Discover. Explore.

The Three Rivers Blog

Go

Hold the Mustard, Please!

By: Missy Anderson

April 06, 2020

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

February 03, 2020

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.

Why and How Three Rivers Manages Deer

By: John Moriarty

September 30, 2019

Deer can be fun to see in the parks, but too many of them can be detrimental to the environment and dangerous to drivers.

Crow-Hassan Prairie: 50 Years in the Making

By: John Moriarty

September 09, 2019

This year, Three Rivers is celebrating 50 years of prairie restoration at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve. Learn how it all began and how managing and restoring prairies has evolved since 1969.

Camera Trapping: A New Way to Survey in Three Rivers

By: Alyssa Schauer

August 19, 2019

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!

Did you know that the longest snake in Minnesota can be found in Three Rivers Park District? Bullsnake populations have declined in the Twin Cities due to habitat loss, but thanks to reintroduction efforts, they have found a home in Crow-Hassan Park Reserve. 

Why Do Swimming Beaches Close?

By: Amy Timm

June 11, 2019

At Three Rivers Park District, water quality crews monitor the water at beaches and swim ponds on a weekly basis from Memorial Day to Labor Day to ensure the E. coli levels are safe for users. Learn more about the testing process and how you can help maintain healthy water quality in the parks.

Osprey Reintroduction: The Great Success Story

By: Steven Hogg

May 20, 2019

Ospreys used to be very common in southern Minnesota, but they disappeared from the Twin Cities after World World II. Learn about the program to bring these amazing birds back and how wildlife can survive in an urban area when given the right tools for success.

Lowry Nature Center is known for its diverse population of bird species and longtime tradition of bird banding. Learn more about bird banding, what naturalists found out about American tree sparrows, and why banding birds is important for nature education.

Three Rivers conducts controlled burns at its prairies each spring. Learn what goes into burning a prairie and why fire is so important to preserving this special habitat.

Subscribe

Stay inspired. Sign up for blog notifications.

* indicates required