Toggle Search HOME NATURAL RESOURCES it's in our nature to preserve it learn how to protect the environment As we get out and make tracks, let’s remember our footprint. Three Rivers is dedicated to preserving native plant communities, wildlife diversity and water quality throughout the region. With your help, Three Rivers will inspire a future generation of environmental stewards. NATURAL RESOURCES The Three Rivers Park District Natural Resources Management department is responsible for restoring and protecting natural resources—such as native plant communities, wildlife diversity and water quality—in Three Rivers' park reserves and regional parks. Our Natural Resources section includes Forestry Management, Horticulture and Landscape Management, Water Resources Management and Wildlife Management. The Three Rivers policy for the planning and management of natural resources allows no more than 20 percent of a park reserve to be developed for active use and requires that at least 80 percent of the park reserve be restored to and retained in a natural state. In keeping with this policy, Three Rivers is actively involved in the preservation and restoration of wildlife and plant species. WATER FORESTS PRAIRIES WILDLIFE HORTICULTURE INVASIVE SPECIES SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES CLIMATE CHANGE the wandering naturalist EPISODES 105-107: NEIGHBORS In this series about different immigrant neighbors in Minnesota, learn why Swiss immigrants gravitated to land that is now Elm Creek Park Reserve; hear from Professor Dalma Martinovic about the difference between parks in Minnesota and her home country of Croatia; and how Dr. Raul Velasquez's connections to the land influenced his choice to immigrate to Minnesota from Colombia. VIEW ALL EPISODES related blog posts BRINGING BACK BUTTERFLIES: WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPLETE A REINTRODUCTION by: john moriarty AUGUST 16, 2021 From securing permits to making sure habitat is just right, a lot of work goes into bringing new butterflies into our parks. Learn all about the process of reintroducing butterflies, our past successes and which butterflies we hope to introduce into our parks in the future. CONTINUE READING WHY AND HOW WE SURVEY BUMBLEBEES AT THREE RIVERS by: angela grill JULY 12, 2021 Understanding how our bumblebee populations are changing and why helps us determine how we can best support them. Read on to learn all about how we conduct bumblebee surveys in our parks and what you can do to help collect valuable bumblebee data. CONTINUE READING A LEGACY OF SERVICE: HOW ONE VOLUNTEER GAVE 10,000 HOURS by: katie brom JUNE 28, 2021 Since 1988, Gene Lau has given more than 10,000 hours of his time to Three Rivers — more than any other volunteer we've had. Learn all about Gene's volunteer roles, why he enjoys it and how he ended up contributing so much time. CONTINUE READING volunteer There are plenty of ways to volunteer in cooperation with the Three Rivers Department of Natural Resources. Put your time to good use by helping to protect and enrich our earth! news from natural resources STAR TRIBUNE COVERS PRAIRIE SEED COLLECTION NOVEMBER 03, 2021 Get a behind-the-scenes look at how small seeds can have a big impact on prairie habitat. STAR TRIBUNE COVERS CROW-HASSAN PRAIRIE NOVEMBER 02, 2020 Read the Star Tribune's coverage of how the prairie at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve came to be and why it's important. SOCHACKI PARK WATER QUALITY STUDY BEGINS APRIL 28, 2020 Assessment of the sub-watershed in Sochacki Park will identify potential improvements to its wetlands. TREE REMOVAL AND PRAIRIE RESTORATION PROJECT UNDERWAY AT ELM CREEK JANUARY 24, 2020 Three Rivers is removing trees and shrubs in Elm Creek Park Reserve as part of a prairie restoration project. THREE RIVERS BUMBLEBEE BANDING FEATURED ON MINNESOTA BOUND AUGUST 19, 2019 Learn about bumblebee research being conducted by Three Rivers on a recent episode of Minnesota Bound. follow natural resources Site Links ABOUT US Display More Links TEACHER & LEADER RESOURCES Display More Links NEWS Display More Links CONTACT US Display More Links Find Three Rivers Park District on Social Media Selecteer een taal▼ ©2021 THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED