Prairies & Potholes Resource Exchange by mnat-ext Minnesota Master Naturalist Program

Share a resource with your classmates by adding to this Padlet

mnatext — 2021-07-28 18:35:00 UTC

Just click on the pink "+" sign at the lower right of your screen. That will open a new note and you can type a title and content, just like this one. Share a link, photo, idea or image. Share away!

MN Tree ID video!

mitchellmsarah — 2021-09-09 14:15:50 UTC

There's another one for conifers as well.

Book Recommendation

baxley_mn — 2021-09-16 00:07:48 UTC

Entangled Life - How Fungi make our Worlds. Change our Minds & Shape our Futures. by Merlin Sheldrake.

Truly wondrous read-Leaves me even more in awe of nature. Your understanding of ecology and ecosystems will forever be changed.

Book: Braiding Sweetgrass

2021-09-16 00:57:42 UTC

Braiding Sweetgrass is a truly fantastic read about plants, Native perspectives, botany, connection, and more. Sweetgrass itself is fascinating! Highly recommend. The author is Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Podcast

ellenthomascomo — 2021-09-16 10:59:40 UTC

Entertaining and informative. Four seasons of episodes on many prairie topics, from seed mixes to the reintroduction of Bison at Minneopa. Each episode is in three parts--the main discussion, a science/literature recommendation section, and "Take a Hike" where participants recommend great prairie sites to visit. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/prairiepod/index.html

Chris Helzer, Prairie Ecologist - rec. by Candace Thomas

2021-09-21 17:21:10 UTC

Chris is the Nature Conservancy's Science Director in NE, but he is well-known among people working in prairie conservation and land management all over. Subscribe to his blog to get updates https://prairieecologist.com/

He is an amazing photographer, especially with macro-photography. He published a beautiful book with these photos last year:
https://www.uipress.uiowa.edu/books/9781609386931/hidden-prairie

One of my favorite posts from a few years ago was about prairie root systems. It addresses some inaccuracies, acknowledges we still have more to learn, and offerss some research links: https://prairieecologist.com/2018/06/19/a-closer-look-at-prairie-roots/

The Many Colors of Soil

baxley_mn — 2021-09-21 22:27:50 UTC

What color is the soil in your jar and what might it tell you?

Iron Oxide minerals- Red
Iron Sulfide minerals - Black
Calcium minerals - White
Low Oxygen - Grey
Organic Matter - Dark Brown

Movie: The Biggest Little Farm

2021-09-23 00:24:57 UTC

From Lindsey D: This is a super entertaining movie about the importance of soil.... one of the people is a wildlife photojournalist so it's shot like a nature movie and it's gorgeous.

Fun read!

mnatext — 2021-09-29 18:42:06 UTC

Although it is non-fiction, this book (and all of Mary Roach's other books) doesn't read like an informational book. It really is a hoot and an interesting glimpse into the lives of professional wildlife managers.

-Britt

Merlin Bird ID

peterleih — 2021-09-29 23:41:27 UTC

This is an app from the Cornell Bird Lab that uses your mobile device's microphone to listen for and identify the birds calling around you. Super interesting.

Journey North website

edwdd4 — 2021-09-30 16:00:07 UTC

A great citizen science resource for monitoring phenology and migrations. You can get involved by reporting your sightings. You can also monitor progressions by viewing online maps and data. They also have resources for educators to use with their classrooms.

Saving Jemima Jay

buckland37 — 2021-09-30 19:42:07 UTC

I have just finished reading this great book by Julie Zickefoose and found all sorts of really useful information on feeding and rehabilitating wild birds, the ethical issues with handling wildlife and the incredible intelligence of Jays.

https://www.threeriversparks.org/podcast

christineclarkjones — 2021-10-01 15:10:22 UTC

I have been listening to the Wandering Naturalist. Brandon also does a FB live presentation and Q&A to stump the the naturalist.

David Sibly

2021-10-02 03:16:32 UTC

“What it is like to be a bird”

Nature Podcasts

cateness82 — 2021-10-03 17:57:57 UTC

I don't watch much TV, but instead spend my free time reading or listening to podcasts. Below is a list of my favorite nature-based podcasts. *There are many more great podcasts out there, these are just my favorites.* These made my top five based upon production value, quality of information, diverse hosts, how engaging I find them to be, and overall how I feel while listening - IE they inspire me in some way!

The Wild with Chris Morgan
PBS's Nature - Going Wild hosted by Raewyn Grant
Threshold hosted by Amy Martin
Many episodes of This is Love hosted by Phoebe Judge
Seedcast hosted by Nia Tero

Book about grassland grouse

ellenthomascomo — 2021-10-03 22:11:55 UTC

Beautiful coffee-table style book featuring incredible photography of America's grassland grouse species, including the Greater and Attwater's Prairie Chickens, with text by noted nature writer Joel Vance

Book: The Nature of Oaks

deanej49 — 2021-10-04 01:46:11 UTC

He changed my thinking on gardening, and now has opened up another new world in understanding oaks and how they enrich the lives around them.
If this seems a little too tame for your taste, check out Jonathan Slaght’s Owls of the Eastern Ice. His work in studying the world’s largest owl with his wild and (in some cases truly) crazy colleagues in eastern Russia is gonzo field biology at its finest.

Find Endangered Species by State and County

edwdd4 — 2021-10-04 15:43:15 UTC

Good resource to find out what species are endangered in your County.

UMN Webinar Series

2021-10-05 14:55:37 UTC

The University of Minnesota's Conservation Science program has a webinar series that covers a wide range of topics. Most recently I watched the fish owl episode, definitely check it out if you're into winter, owls, and Russia. I also appreciate how the series addresses diversity, equity & inclusion in the conservation field.

https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/conservationsciencesseminar/seminar-archive/fall-2020

Prairie Pothole Joint Venture

edwdd4 — 2021-10-06 02:58:51 UTC

Information on how local, regional, national and international partners are working collaboratively on conservation programs in the Prairie Pothole Region. They provide interesting maps, factsheets, reports, etc. They also maintain a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PrairiePotholeJV/

Book: All We Can Save

lindarussell952 — 2021-10-06 14:14:42 UTC

I bought this book for my son's girlfriend, who is an environmental scientist. It's a collection of essays by a lot of different people--all women. Available in hardback, paperback, audio and digital formats.

National Wildlife Federation "America's Grasslands Conference"

2021-10-06 20:00:55 UTC

This information can be found at: nwf.org/grasslandsconference. This is just the top of the page, if you scroll down there are 5 (I think) links one to each of the past 5 conferences.

NPIC (national pesticide information center - Oregon State)

2021-10-14 00:19:55 UTC

Here's a great resource for learning more about herb/pesiticides, their uses, dangers, and effects on the environment

-Jake

cpio2087 — 2021-10-14 00:20:13 UTC

MN programs and funding for pollinator habitat restoration

2021-10-14 00:21:13 UTC

Looking for grants or orgs to help with prairie / pollinator habitat restoration? Look no further!

-Jake

Psbl Grant for Prairie and Watershed improvement

thfahey — 2021-10-14 00:24:44 UTC

Here's a link if you are in the Lower MN River Watershed District for a grant application:
Grants & Cost Sharing :: Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (lowermnriverwd.org)

I was able to submit and receive a grant for our Condo Association property in Bloomington.

Documentary - Kiss the Ground

danielpayne2 — 2021-10-14 01:13:39 UTC

Great film on how restoring our soil can help with the stabilizing our climate.

Monarch Gardens

danielpayne2 — 2021-10-14 01:20:08 UTC

Benjamin Vogt has recently been a huge inspiration for me. He focuses on prairie restoration but not just large sites but for the suburban lawns as well. I enjoy following his posts on facebook and instagram. He also has a few books on gardening that focus more on natural landscapes with aesthetic appeal. He maybe considered elitist but he has definitely shifted my thinking on how I can better help the environment.

Website: Mushroom ID Resource

erinfvanburkleo — 2021-10-14 23:58:42 UTC

This website was recommended by Ron Spinosa at the, "Getting to Know Minnesota Mushrooms" online seminar on 10/14. The call will be online at the West Metro MNat website: https://westmetromasternaturalists.weebly.com/

Eos - Science News by AGU

2021-10-20 18:18:38 UTC

If you are interested in Earth science, climate, and ecosystem health, Eos is a great newsletter for you. Each week, the news update provides a list of recent research articles. The link takes you to an understandable summary of the research that includes a link to the published article if you want to dig deeper. To subscribe, go to https://eos.org/

Cool Green Science

mnatext — 2021-10-21 16:22:57 UTC

I love the Cool Green Science blog from the Nature Conservancy. This article looks at "trash" birds and why we dismiss common birds as unworthy of our attention. https://blog.nature.org/science/2021/10/18/why-do-we-hate-trash-birds/

-Britt

Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan

2021-10-26 17:03:23 UTC

Conservation partners strategy for accelerating conservation in the Prairie Region of the state.

Tannins and Water Clarity

baxley_mn — 2021-10-27 14:26:43 UTC

Excellent article.

Natural ways living -- tanning hides

deanej49 — 2021-11-08 16:43:34 UTC

My son Nate has a 3-part series on Lakeland Public TV's Common Ground on tanning hides to make clothing. Living in the ways of the Indigenous people who preceded us is fulfilling, but also takes a lot of time and hard work.

Human habitation 3,000 years ago at Mountain Lake

2021-11-09 14:55:57 UTC

https://www.mnopedia.org/place/mountain-county-park-and-historic-site

US-Dakota Conflict Documentary

2021-11-10 21:40:24 UTC

If you would like a deeper understanding of the US-Dakota conflict of 1862 and the mass execution that followed in Mankato, I recommend this TPT documentary. I recently watched it, and it is very nuanced and expanded my understanding of Minnesota's history and our relationship with the state's original inhabitants. Frankly, I think this should be required viewing for all Minnesotans.
-Sam

NOVA video on soil

rager001 — 2023-07-27 20:41:48 UTC

This video is short and easy to understand and shares how soil is made. Enjoy!

Ethanol

2023-09-15 01:00:05 UTC

Here's a link to biomass fuel research from Cornell University (2005). Minnesota research also stated the same, but the comparisons depend on what factors are included in the analysis.

American Prairie in Montana Attacked

mickilong — 2025-11-12 03:43:17 UTC

I have spent some time at The American Prairie in Montana. It's an incredible place, and they doing a great deal of restoration.

2025-11-20 00:15:32 UTC

Finding the Mother Tree is slow burn memoir, whereas the author slowly develops her understanding that trees in forests are interdependent with fungi mycelium. It provides a great understanding of being dedicated, inquisitive and blessed with a chance to learn something monumental.

Author: Suzanne Simard

Published: 2021

The Genius of Trees

mickilong — 2025-11-27 14:34:41 UTC

This book is on my Christmas Wish List