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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, February 15, 2025
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free!
Fossil Exploration
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a trek to observe the fossiliferous stones at the edge of the ocean. Learn about fossil identification and put your skills to the test!
Free!
Plants and Architecture Exploration
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Follow the Urban Park Rangers in finding parallels between city architecture and plants! Take a plant ID walk and compare plant structures to their man-made counterparts.
Free!
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
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Root To Rise: Yoga Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Queens County Farm Museum invites you to relax and unwind in this 6-part wellness series indoors in our Barn.
Birding: All About Pigeons
at Lawn Area (in Seaside Wildlife Nature Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Pigeons are among some of the most abundant species of birds in our city. Learn more about what makes these birds so unique and interesting.
Free!
Coastal Ecology and Resilience Walk
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the urban coastal ecosystem of Rockaway Beach.
Free!
Birding: You Gotta Love Birds
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
With Valentines Day in our rear view mirror, let's take a deeper look into the love lives of birds.
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest.
Free!
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
Black History Month: Science Fiction and the Natural World
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Celebrate Black History Month with NYC Parks! Explore the connection between the natural world and science fiction with this storytelling hike featuring the works of Octavia Butler.
Free!
Monday, February 17, 2025
Kids Week: All About Owls Hike and Craft
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls while taking a hike through the trails of Blue Heron Park. End the afternoon with an owl nature craft.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Natural Dyes
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park rangers in using plant materials to make fabulous dyes! Bring a white cotton clothing item or get a handkerchief to tie-dye
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Entrance (in Margaret I. Carman Green - Weeping Beech), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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
Kids Week: Wigwam Gathering and Campfire
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Explore and enter our recently restored Lenape wigwam and enjoy an afternoon by a warm campfire. Learn how to use a bow drill and other methods to start a fire.
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
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Mid-Winter Break: Blast Off- Discovering Space and Black History
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
During Mid-Winter Break, have your kids join us at to explore the solar system, stars, and the future of space and learn of the contributions of Black scientists and astronauts.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun nature scavenger hunt! Set sail through Brooklyn’s winter flora and fauna on a wild scavenger hunt! Follow the trail of urban wildlife and unique pl
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Parking Lot (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a cozy campfire and story telling session. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props.
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: Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Playground for All Children (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun nature scavenger hunt! Participants will learn how to use a map to uncover hidden clues and discover the nature in the park along the way.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Urban Wildlife
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
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. Learn about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s 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
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Mid-Winter Break: Blast Off- Discovering Space and Black History
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
During Mid-Winter Break, have your kids join us at to explore the solar system, stars, and the future of space and learn of the contributions of Black scientists and astronauts.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Origami Art
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn some origami! Learn to make frogs, birds, and other nature using only paper and your imagination.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Rangers will demonstrate how to properly start a fire without matches, and give kids a chance to try themselves.Rangers will also be teaching shelter building and other skills
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birds of Play
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers and learn how birds fly, design your own paper “bird-plane,” and compete to see who rules the skies!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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
Kids Week: Winter Nature Crafts
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let the winter season inspire you as we create crafts from things found in nature.
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
Art on the Farm Series: Watercolor
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Find your inner artist at the Queens County Farm Museum!
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Mid-Winter Break: Blast Off- Discovering Space and Black History
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
During Mid-Winter Break, have your kids join us at to explore the solar system, stars, and the future of space and learn of the contributions of Black scientists and astronauts.
Free!
Kids
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Kids Week: Nature Bingo
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we search to fill our Bingo Cards with sights and sounds of the season! We will use our senses to explore the local flora and fauna.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Tree Tunes
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a day of musical fun in Prospect Park. Learn about all the different ways our forest can sing and join our natural band!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Chalk It Up
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Fill the sidewalk with colorful art inspired by all the things we love about nature. Create a mural with your friends using chalk and imagination alongside the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Manhattan Rocks! Geology Hike
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon 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. Learn all about the geological landscape of Manhattan.
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
Friday, February 21, 2025
Alley Pond Park Forest Restoration
at Northern Boulevard and 234th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Alley Pond Park!
Free!
Kids Week: Hibernation Staycation
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers at the Fort Greene Visitor Center for an afternoon by a nice warm fire. Check out some of the furs that keep our native animals warm in winter.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Bald Eagle Watch
at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill 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 bald eagles.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Bird watching can be fun, especially during the winter season. Learn all about different ways to identify birds in our parks.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Meet the Critters
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
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: Poetry Around the Campfire
at Entrance - Beach 35th Street and Beach Channel Drive (in Bayswater Park), Queens
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us in the afternoon for poetry writing by the fire. Let's come together to share our unique poems and create new ones that capture the essence of the season.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Alley Pond Park Forest Restoration
at Northern Boulevard and 234th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Alley Pond Park!
Free!
Watercolors by the Seaside
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Let us talk about the importance of a healthy ocean and why Rockaway Beach is so important while practicing painting techniques.
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Winter is an amazing time of year to observe seals in the Long Island Sound.
Free!
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
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