PARKS & TRAILS THINGS TO DO PROGRAMS & EVENTS NATURAL RESOURCES WEDDING & RENTAL SPACES HOME NATURAL RESOURCES 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 Three River’s 27,000 acres of parkland includes 43 lakes, more than 30 miles of rivers and streams and over 8,000 acres of wetlands. LEARN MORE forests Three Rivers is committed to restoring the environment, including planting forests. Most native forests in the region were cleared for agriculture by the turn of the twentieth century. Three Rivers is working to restore these plant communities. LEARN MORE prairies Three Rivers Park District is the largest manager of prairie habitat in the Twin Cities area and has restored approximately 1,600 acres in the metro area. LEARN MORE wildlife Three Rivers maintains wildlife populations through habitat management, reintroductions and management of species of special concern, population control and general monitoring. LEARN MORE horticulture From rain gardens, to pollinator gardens, native landscapes, to public gardens, the horticulture program contributes to the health and beautification of Three Rivers properties and the education of park users. LEARN MORE invasive species Three Rivers rapidly responds to the challenges of invasive species through early detection and prevention, guided by an Invasive Species Plan. LEARN MORE sustainability initiatives Environmental stewardship is a long-standing hallmark of the Three Rivers Park District’s mission. In 2009, the Board of Commissioners approved sustainability targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), waste generation and groundwater use. LEARN MORE climate change Learn how climate change is impacting wildlife, recreation and more in Three Rivers. LEARN MORE the wandering naturalist EPISODES 108-111: THE FINAL FRONTIER In this series about the night sky, discover how outer space affects animals in our parks; hear about light pollution and how we can reduce it; learn Indigenous star and earth knowledge; and find out what a NASA Solar System Ambassador is and how a citizen science project uses constellations to help scientists determine light pollution impacts. 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 ACCESSIBILITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FINANCE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS HISTORY LET'S TALK THREE RIVERS MISSION PUBLIC SAFETY & PARK RULES TERMS OF USE TEACHER & LEADER RESOURCES ART EDUCATION DIGITAL LEARNING FARM EDUCATION HISTORY EDUCATION HOME SCHOOLS NATURE EDUCATION OUTDOOR RECREATION SCHOOL SCOUTS TEACHERS NEWS BLOG NEWSLETTERS PODCAST CONTACT US DIRECTORY MY ACCOUNT DONATIONS EMPLOYMENT FEE ASSISTANCE MAPS PASSES & PERMITS TEEN ZONE VOLUNTEER Find Three Rivers Park District on Social Media Selecteer een taal▼ ©2021 THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED