Translate
AccessibilityNature
Wild NYC is at the other end of your doorstep! Explore New York's urban forests, streams, and wildlife with these fun outdoor activities.
Nature Events
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Kids Week: Freshwater Fishing
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn 
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Want to go fishing but don’t know how or where to start? Join our Urban Park Rangers for free lessons! Learn how to properly use a fishing rod or cast a net. Ages 8 and up
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: All About Turtles
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they dive into the fascinating world of turtles! You’ll even get to meet our very own terrestrial and aquatic turtles that we care for in our center.
Free!
Kids
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
Stream/Pond day at High Rock Park
at High Rock Gate (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun-filled day at High Rock Park, where we'll explore the streams and ponds, learn about the creatures living in the water.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn the art of archery with free lessons taught by our expert Urban Park Rangers. This program uses safe equipment with magnetic arrows, foam axes and targets.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Exploration for Kids
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The natural world is the best playground in New York City! Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike through the wonders of Central Park..
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Field House (in Archie Spigner Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Citywide Nursery Gardening
at Arthur Ross Nursery Parking Lot, Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Stewardship Team at the Citywide Nursery for a hands-on gardening experience where you’ll help pot up perennials into larger grow pots and maintain our plant hoop houses.
Free!
Woodlawn Wednesdays Forest Restoration at Van Cortlandt Park
at Woodlawn Playground (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help restore the beautiful woodlands of Van Cortlandt Park’s east side! Join us for Woodlawn Wednesdays, where volunteers like you play a vital role in preserving this important urban ecosystem
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!
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!
Family Fun Nature Walk
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Start your family’s Spring Break off with a walk through VCP with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance!
Free!
Event
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!
Getting Ready for Spring Planting - Ponderosa Workday
at Ponderosa Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Ponderosa Community Garden is getting ready for the 2025 season! Help the garden group replace old beds, build new beds, and many other related chores.
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!
Event
Kids Week: Magnetic Archery
at Lawn Area (in McKinley Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn the art of archery with free lessons taught by our expert Urban Park Rangers. This program uses safe equipment with magnetic arrows and targets.
Free!
Kids
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Kids Science Fair
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an amazing day of science. Channel your inner Scientist with three amazing hands-on experiments.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Meet the Critters
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Native Planting Party
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Month discussing pollinators and plants. Don't forget to take home your planted seed to start your own native plant garden.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Playground (in Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers welcome you for some nature themed puppet shows! Learn more about animals that can be found in our local parks.
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Creatures of the Night with Tenafly Nature Center
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Discover what really makes an animal nocturnal and what they need to survive.
Event
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Forest Bathing for Children
at River Run Playground (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Reconnect with nature on a guided walk led by certified Forest Therapy Guide Lori Klamner.
Free!
Volunteer Day at Jardin de la Familia
at Jardín de la Familia, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the garden members! Volunteers will help the gardeners prepare for the growing season by cleaning debris, pulling weeds, starting seeds, and more.
Free!
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!
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Entrance - Bard Avenue and Delafield Place (in Walker Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Kids
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
Garden Bench Build Volunteer Workday
at Jardin de las Rosas, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Jardin de las Rosas for a volunteer day to clean up the garden and build new garden benches! Participants will practice basic carpentry skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Free!
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at West 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Rangers will lead you to the best spots to view spring birds.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Rangers will lead you to the best spots to view spring birds.
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Kids Week: All About Bats
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for National Bat Appreciation Day as we hike Forest Park in a search for our nocturnal friends.
Free!
Event
Friday, April 18, 2025
Forest Fridays: Forest Restoration in Van Cortlandt Park
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s forest! Join us Fridays, 9 AM–12 PM, to remove invasive plants, maintain trails, and plant native species. Tools, gloves, and training provided. No experience needed — just sign up for a specific date and get ready to make a difference!
Free!
Forest Fridays: Restore Van Cortlandt Park's Forest
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help protect and restore the forests of Van Cortlandt Park — one of NYC’s most ecologically significant green spaces.
Free!
Event
Pelham Bay Park Forest Restoration
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Kids Week: Metaverse Scavenger Hunt
at Freshkills North Park Entrance (in Freshkills Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a nature scavenger hunt inspired by the popular mobile game application "Pokemon Go". See how many of these can be found where the metaverse meets nature
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Spring Coastal Ecology for Kids
at Entrance - East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Discover the nature and beauty of Canarsie Park on a spring exploration hike with the Urban Park Rangers. Spring brings changes to local flora and fauna along the shoreline.
Free!
Kids
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding Bingo
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a fun game of bingo where participants will learn about different birds that call New York City their home.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Native Planting Party
at Entrance - East Broadway & Essex St (in Seward Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Month discussing pollinators and plants. Don't forget to take home your planted seed to start your own native plant garden.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Spring Story Time in the Garden
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a nature story telling session. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props.
Free!
Event
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Kensington Street Tree Care
at 42nd Street and 16th Avenue
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees.
Free!
Pelham Bay Park Forest Restoration
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
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
%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B%2B__utmv%3D47166894.-%3B)