Three Rivers Park District

Understanding how our bumblebee populations are changing and why helps us determine how we can best support them. Read our article from the blog archive to learn all about how we conduct bumblebee surveys in our parks and what you can do to help collect valuable bumblebee data.

2024 is Three Rivers Park District's Big Year of Bugs! We've been celebrating bugs all year long, join us this summer at one of our Big Year of Bugs events to learn more about the insect world and what makes these creatures fascinating and awe-inspiring. Throughout the year, we've created many opportunities for folks to join our trained naturalists and bug experts for activities of all kinds. Learn more about the Big Year of Bugs and get involved in the celebration at https://lnkd.in/gx4XGs4n

We're #NowHiring a Finance Manager at our Administrative Center in Plymouth, MN. Ensure the Park District’s financial records are complete and accurate by independently performing a variety of complex accounting and reporting duties and supervising general accounting, payroll, purchasing, auditing, and financial reporting areas so that timely and accurate information is available for the Board of Commissioners, Management, other government agencies and the public. View the full position description and apply now at https://lnkd.in/g-W_Gcsx

As temperatures rise and we take to Minnesota's famous lakes to cool off, learn how Three Rivers Park District manages these and other precious water resources in our article from the blog archive. https://lnkd.in/g5VbagBT

Meet Jim, #volunteer with #EastmanNatureCenter! After Jim retired in 2013, he began giving back to the community by volunteering at a number of organizations, including Three Rivers! Originally volunteering as a Park Patroller, over the course of his volunteer career he’s expanded his volunteer activities to bird feeder watch, monarch larva monitoring, raptor surveying, dragonfly monitoring, working on select projects, event assistance, seed collection and other work as needed! Volunteering at Three Rivers, and Eastman in particular, provides Jim the opportunity to give back to the community while matching his interest in nature and the outdoors! Focusing his volunteer efforts at Elm Creek Park Reserve provides Jim an opportunity to support the outdoors while staying close to home. In 1995 Jim and his wonderful wife of 44 years, Lynn, moved their family to Minnesota as a result of a job transfer with Supervalu, and have remained here ever since! A retired Human Resources/Labor Relations professional, Jim worked for 3 companies in his 40-year professional career (American Can Company, Supervalu and Best Buy). Jim and Lynn have two sons, Jim and Mike, who live in the Twin Cities area. When not volunteering, Jim enjoys fishing, reading, attending concerts, following his favorite college and professional football and basketball teams, and traveling domestically and internationally, having been to every state except Delaware, Vermont and New Hampshire and visiting 34 countries (and counting)! In addition to the amazing work Jim does at Elm Creek Park Reserve, he has also volunteered for a number of other organizations. Jim has done dog walking and assisted at events for Can-Do Canines and assembled meal packets at Feed My Starving Children. He also currently volunteers at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s and other events, volunteers at events with the Special Olympics, does Meals on Wheels with the Community Emergency Assistance Program, and other one-off volunteer roles that he’s done through the RSVP organization. While he’s incredibly proud of all the work and volunteering he’s done, Jim says none of that compares to his pride in being a husband and father! We are so grateful to have such passionate volunteers here at Three Rivers, and we are delighted to offer folks the opportunity to pursue their interests while supporting the parks! Join us at Eastman for the Dragonfly Festival on July 13 to see some of the amazing dragonflies Jim helps monitor at Eastman Nature Center! https://lnkd.in/g_iz7paJ

#MississippiGateway Construction Update! Construction contractors achieved significant milestones on the Mississippi Gateway Redevelopment project in June and work is underway or about to begin on remaining portions of the project. Three Rivers Park District received full occupancy of the Maintenance building, allowing staff to begin using those spaces. The Gateway Center's exterior walls were fully enclosed and the roof structure was completed, including the covered walkway and entry canopy. Additionally, the main level concrete floor was installed in the first half of June, which allowed contractors to install nearly all wall framing in the main level in the second half of the month. All the Treetop Trail's steel columns and concrete column caps were installed, requiring large cranes to skillfully maneuver the materials from the top of the bluff, over and through the trees or around buildings, and down to the sloped bluff below. The steel framing spanning between column caps was also started and will continue in the coming weeks. On the West Unit, the site is now ready for concrete curbing and sidewalks, including preparation for concrete at the West Unit play area. Excavation of the regional trail reroute has begun, as well as fencing at the Maintenance compound and in the new dog off-leash area. The remaining work anticipated to be started in the coming weeks includes work in the East Unit river flats picnic area, wetland and floodplain trails, and the South Pond Lab and site.

Summer is peak butterfly season, and this month Angela and Brandon are taking a closer look at these colorful creatures on #TheWanderingNaturalistPodcast. Hear from a state pollinator coordinator on how butterflies are doing in Minnesota, learn why army bases are uniquely suited for managing habitat for butterflies and find out what goes into preparing to reintroduce a rare or endangered butterfly. Listen to this month's episodes at https://lnkd.in/dga9-nx #NewPodcastEpisodes #Podcast #ThreeRiversParkDistrict

Enter a natural and creative space where performances come to life, before you and around you, at Silverwood OnStage at #SilverwoodPark! Witness the spectacle, from screen to stage to dance floor, and forest to prairie to lakeshore, as the warm sun retreats on another summer day in Silverwood Park. Free, live musical performances will be Wednesdays from 6:30–8 p.m. throughout the summer. Check out the full lineup of performances at https://lnkd.in/g5JGfzgq

We're currently seeking to fill the position of #InterpretiveNaturalist at Lowry Nature Center in Victoria, MN. Develop, conduct and enhance interpretive programming to educate the public and facilitate an appreciation, enjoyment and utilization of the environment and facilities at Three Rivers Park Park District. Learn more and apply today at https://lnkd.in/g7UwK6c6

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 with our article from the blog archive.