Education
New York City's parks are a natural classroom. Enjoy this opportunity to learn through free and hands-on lectures on nature, history, gardening, and much more.
Education Events
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan 

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan 

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Fresh Creek Wetlands Restoration with the Opportunity Hub
at Fresh Creek Nature Preserve, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect wetland areas in the Fresh Creek Nature Preserve! Volunteers will support restoration work and learn the importance of ecosystem health.
Free!
Junior Arborist Day at Tompkinsville Park
at Tompkinsville Park at Victory Boulevard (in Tompkinsville Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Arbor Day Month! Learn about trees, identify trees and care for trees.
Free!
Explore the Future of Farming with Aquaponics!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Uncover the secrets of nature, build your own ecosystem, and learn how fish and plants work together to grow food in our afterschool Aquaponics Workshop.
Free!
Kids
Power Tools 101: A Beginner’s Guide for All New Users
at Seasons of Vision Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
This beginner-friendly course, designed for femme presenting people but open to all, covers tool types, safety, hands-on practice, and project tips.
Free!
Event
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Training
at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Calling all community scientists! Please join us for an introduction to the 2025 water quality monitoring season. This is an opportunity for you to acquire field safety guidelines, learn how to record observational data and collect a water sample, and meet other water quality stewards! Water quality sampling takes place on Thursday mornings between May – October.
NOTE: The training is mandatory to be able to participate in this program. Previous water quality volunteers are encouraged to attend! Help us advocate for a fishable, swimmable Bronx River.
Free!
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Earth Day Nature Walk at Ocean Breeze
at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex (in Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex), Staten Island 

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Earth Day Nature Walk at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Free!
Event
Building a Collapsible Trellis for Growing Food Vine Plants: A Beginner’s Class
at Greene Acres Community Garden, Brooklyn 

11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Create a foldable trellis to support tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and beans.
Free!
Rat Academy Field Session
at Schomburg Arts Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn more about rat management during this in-person session.
Free!
Event
Earth Month Convergence, Day 1
at Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
We are pleased to partner with Start:Empowerment and their co-host Dandelions Assembly for a space to build, strategize, and care for one another and the earth in the face of escalating crises.
Free!
Eggstra-Ordinary Egg Hunt
at Jardín de la Familia, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Jardin de la Familia will be holding activities to celebrate Easter. Festivities include games, egg painting, entertainment, and more!
Free!
Event
Community Engagement Tea
at Q Gardens Community Farm, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come to Q Gardens for a Community Engagement Tea by Tea Arts & Culture and mentee, Noopur Bhandari.
Free!
Hands-on History: Gardening Day!
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Can you dig it? Join us as we plant our first round of crops and flowers in King Manor’s raised bed gardens to welcome in the spring!
Free!
Pressed Botanicals Workshop with the Horticulture Team
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a relaxing, creative, and free workshop where you’ll learn how to press and arrange flowers and leaves to create beautiful works of art hosted by RIPA’s Horticulture Team!
Free!
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
With the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the city’s economy boomed and wealthy merchant families escaped the increasing noise, congestion, and commercialization of the seaport area to move “uptown,” to what is now modern day NoHo, then an exclusive residential enclave. Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.
Event
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Public Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
, Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday. Each walk varies with the Guide leading it.
Free!
Monday, April 21, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Children's Book Giveaway and Garden Tour
at Brooklyn Sports Club, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Ying & Yang garden will be hosting a Children’s Book Giveaway and a walk through the garden to learn about growing vegetables and herbs. Come and enjoy the garden at this family friendly event.
Free!
Kids
Earth Day Celebration: Seed of Life
at Multi-Use Room (in Highbridge Recreation Center), Manhattan 

4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Children ages 6 to 17 are welcome to be a part of this interactive and educational experience of bringing life into the world through gardening.
Free!
Kids
Sustainable Garden Watering: The Art of Using Ollas
at Amboy Street Garden, Brooklyn
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Learn about using an olla, an unglazed terracotta pot that slowly hydrates your plants. This technique helps save water, especially during New York's drought.
Free!
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan 

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan 

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Kids
Explore the Future of Farming with Aquaponics!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Uncover the secrets of nature, build your own ecosystem, and learn how fish and plants work together to grow food in our afterschool Aquaponics Workshop.
Free!
Kids
Friday, April 25, 2025
Saturday, April 26, 2025
04/26 City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Idlewild Park
at Idlewild Park, Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Parks staff as we walk Idlewild Park to observe and collect data for City Nature Challenge, an international biodiversity competition taking place April 25 - 28
Free!
Bronx River Open House
at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Save the Date! The 2025 Bronx River Open House will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 12 noon to 4pm, at the Bronx River House in Starlight Park.
This Earth Week celebration will include:
Free Canoeing on the Bronx River
Giveaways & Prizes
Kid-friendly educational & art activities
and more!
Stay tuned for more information!
Email victoria.toro@bronxriver.org or jennifer.seda@bronxriver.org if you have questions or are interested in volunteering to support this fun-for-all-ages event.
Free!
Earth Day Festival
at Field 62 - 63 (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate spring at the annual, free Randall’s Island Earth Day Festival! We’re bringing you a family-friendly, interactive day of fun to welcome warmer weather & seasonal blooms.
Free!
90s Prom
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Dance the afternoon away on May third at King Manor’s 90s theme prom!
Free!
Seeding a Vibrant Afro-Indigenous Garden
at East New York Farms, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Gather with us in the garden for seed starting and transplanting alongside stories of Afro-Indigenous crops! During our time together, we’ll connect and ground ourselves with various seeds relevant to African and Indigenous diasporas.
Free!
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Public Health Fair at the Greene Garden
at Greene Garden
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The garden group will be raising funds for local health clinics, healthcare providers and doctors in the area will be doing blood pressure screenings, and holding a blood drive.
Free!
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Earth Month Celebration
at Walt L. Shamel Community Garden, Brooklyn 

1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Come to Walt L. Shamel Community Garden and celebrate Earth month with the garden group! This will be a casual mixer including other local gardens in the neighborhood.
Free!
Public Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
, Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday. Each walk varies with the Guide leading it.
Free!
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
at Merchant's House Museum
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
With the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the city’s economy boomed and wealthy merchant families escaped the increasing noise, congestion, and commercialization of the seaport area to move “uptown,” to what is now modern day NoHo, then an exclusive residential enclave. Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.
Event
Monday, April 28, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan 

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan 

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Explore the Future of Farming with Aquaponics!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Uncover the secrets of nature, build your own ecosystem, and learn how fish and plants work together to grow food in our afterschool Aquaponics Workshop.
Free!
Kids