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
Natural Resources
It's in Our Nature To Preserve It
As we get out and make tracks, let's remember our footprint.
Learn How to Protect the Environment
Restoring and protecting natural resources
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.
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
Planning and management of natural resources
80%
minimum share of a park reserve restored to and retained in a natural state
20%
maximum share of a park reserve developed for active use
1,600
acres of prairie restored in the metro area
8,000
acres of wetlands, and more than 30 miles of rivers and streams
Natural Resources topics
How we care for the land
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
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.
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
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
Climate Change
Learn how climate change is impacting wildlife, recreation and more in Three Rivers.
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
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
Chronolog
Chronolog is a citizen science tool that allows park visitors to document environmental changes through photos, creating time-lapse sequences to track restoration efforts, engage the community and support park stewardship.
Learn more
The Wandering Naturalist
Episodes 288–290: Life is a Flyway
Coast along the largest flyway in North America, the Mississippi Flyway, with Brandon and Ellen this month. Discover the different kinds of activity you can see on the river, learn about the economic impacts of birds on the flyway and on people, and get a closer look at a restoration project taking place in Carver Park Reserve.
Project funding
How natural resources projects are funded
Projects can be funded through a range of funding sources, including Three Rivers Park District's general fund and capital improvements budgets, grants from other government agencies, and donations.
Funding for some projects is provided by Minnesota's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Learn more about Minnesota's Legacy Amendment.
Funding for some projects is provided by Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources. Learn more about the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
View a list of Three Rivers Park District's current State of Minnesota-funded grant projects and grant managers.
For more information about grants awarded by the State of Minnesota, federal government, Hennepin County and other sources, contact Superintendent Boe Carlson at Boe.Carlson@ThreeRiversParks.org or 763-559-6761.
News
News from Natural Resources
September 25, 2025
Three Rivers Parks Will Hold Scheduled Deer Hunts—Fall 2025
Deer hunts will take place in the parks this fall. Learn about where they will be held and about safety practices during hunts.
Read more
April 25, 2025
Three Rivers Park District Honors 2025 Distinguished Volunteers
The Distinguished Volunteer Service Award honors exceptional volunteers who have made significant contributions to Three Rivers Park District. Read on to learn about the 2025 recipients.
Read more
Volunteer
Help protect and enrich our earth
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!