Nature
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
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Team RIVER Saturday
at Icahn Stadium (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!
Grateful for Trees Canvas Bags
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Celebrate the beauty of these important plants!
Free!
World's Fair Marina Wetland Restoration
at 1 Marina Road
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect wetland areas in Worlds Fair Marina! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work
Free!
Greenbelt Hike (Vigorous)
at Forest Hill Road and Alaska Place (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of the Greenbelt on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
Roots and Shoots Youth Brigade
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Roots and Shoots Brigade at Eastern Queens Alliance! Our program empowers young minds to take charge, explore environmental initiatives, and develop leadership skills!
Free!
Staten Island Nature Spotlight: Pond Habitats
at Parking Lot (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Lakes and ponds are thriving habitats to various species of birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians and plants.
Free!
Event
Open Hours at Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center
at 99 Plymouth Street (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park like never before during Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center.
Free!
Nature Exploration: Captain Tilly Park
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of birds, plants and other living species within Captain Tilly Park.
Free!
Event
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Urban Wildlife: Wild Turkeys
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
oin the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the wild turkeys that are seen on Staten Island.
Free!
Birding: Waterfowl
at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street (in McCarren Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for a walk of McCarren Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Autumn Gardening: Bulb Planting
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we plant bulbs for our spring garden. Daffodils and tulips go in the ground in the fall so we’ll have flowers in the spring!
Free!
Event
Deer Exploration Hike
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Oh deer! Learn more about this majestic species and explore the park in search of signs and traces of its presence.
Free!
Event
Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of exploration and discovery by uncovering hidden treasures amidst the scenic beauty of nature.
Free!
Kids
Monday, November 25, 2024
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Fall Fix-Up
at Prospect Park, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance this fall to help spruce up the park after a busy summer season.
Free!
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
CANCELLED: Team RIVER Volunteers
at Icahn Stadium (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!
CANCELLED: Team RIVER Volunteers
at Icahn Stadium (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!
CANCELLED: Team RIVER Volunteers
at Icahn Stadium (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!
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Harvest Day
at Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the growing season at Frank White Memorial Garden! Help close down the beds and participate in different activities grounded in medicine, wellness, and compost.
Free!
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Prospect Park Stroller Walk
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways.
Free!
Open Hours at Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center
at 99 Plymouth Street (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park like never before during Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center.
Free!
Friday, November 29, 2024
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Prospect Park
at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: The Alley Giant
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Wolfe's Pond to Acme Pond
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. This loop hike is roughly 4 miles roundtrip through woodland paths and uphill/downhill inclines.
Free!
Prospect Park Wellness Walk
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for an uplifting and energizing morning walk including scenic trails along the Lullwater, Peninsula, Midwood or Waterfall.
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Cass Gallagher Trail
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. This hike will take you through the hills Inwood Hill and Fort Tryon and Parks.
Free!
Open Hours at Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center
at 99 Plymouth Street (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park like never before during Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center.
Free!
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Clifton Street Tree Care with Super Stewards
at 704 Bay Street
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.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. They will also learn about the important roles street trees play in New York City.
Free!
CANCELLED: Team RIVER Saturday
at Icahn Stadium (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!
CANCELLED: Team RIVER Volunteers
at Icahn Stadium (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!
Crotona Park Stewardship Saturday
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join staff to clear leaves and debris from around Indian Lake, remove trash from our large park zones and help to keep Crotona Park looking great! Meet at the Crotona Park Nature Center, enter at Charlotte Street. Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Please RSVP to Ismael.Guzman@parks.nyc.gov
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at 130th Street and 11th Avenue (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Native American Heritage Month: The Siwanoy
at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hike with the Urban Park Rangers along the SiwanoyTrail and learn about the Siwanoy’s history and way of life.
Free!
Roots and Shoots Youth Brigade
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Roots and Shoots Brigade at Eastern Queens Alliance! Our program empowers young minds to take charge, explore environmental initiatives, and develop leadership skills!
Free!
Open Hours at Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Education Center
at 99 Plymouth Street (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park like never before during Open Hours at the Environmental Education Center.
Free!
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Free!
Highbridge Highlights Hike
at McNally Plaza (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a super hike of Highbridge Park to discuss ecology and history while taking in the views of the East River.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage and Weaving
at Entrance (in Margaret I. Carman Green - Weeping Beech), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn the ancient art of weaving, an activity historically done during the winter months using materials that were harvested and processed during warmer seasons.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join us for a hike of Orchard Beach in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Monday, December 2, 2024
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Art from the Heart: An exhibition of vintage artwork by local artists of Staten Island's South Shore
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Art From the Heart, arranged by the Tottenville Historical Society at the historic H.H. Biddle House features vintage paintings from their collection.
Free!
Junior Naturalist: Winter Science Sampler
at Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Young naturalists will uncover how plants and animals adapt to the cold through fun experiments, outdoor adventures, and creative activities.
Free!
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Woodlawn Wednesdays: Forest Restoration at Van Cortlandt Park
at Woodlawn Playground (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us for Woodlawn Wednesdays, where volunteers help restore the woodlands on the east side of Van Cortlandt Park. Tasks vary by season and focus on invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and planting native species to promote a healthy forest ecosystem.
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Icahn Stadium (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!