Wildlife
Meet and learn about NYC's wildlife neighbors, from the fish and crabs of our waters to the hawks and eagles of our skies. Our expert Urban Park Rangers, Parks Wildlife Unit, and our partners and friends lead wildlife-viewing tours and lectures all across the New York City. Join us! To learn more about NYC's wildlife and what to do when encountering wildlife, please visit our Urban Wildlife page.
Wildlife Events
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park)
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
The Billion Oyster Project
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Since 2014, the Billion Oyster Project has worked to restore the New York harbor oyster population. Why is that important? Find out why. Hear about their projects in Brooklyn and Queens.
Free!
Monday, December 9, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
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 11, 2024
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 Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
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!
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!
Friday, December 13, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
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, December 14, 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!
Birding: Christmas Bird Count
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for this annual community science project counting and identifying birds while we hike in the park.
Free!
Whiz Kidz
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join Whiz Kidz for hands-on STEM fun! Spark curiosity and ignite a passion for learning in your child. Let their creativity soar! ??
Free!
Kids
Nature Exploration Hike
at Brookville Boulevard and Caney Road (in Brookville Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. To enhance your experience, please bring your own binoculars and field guides.
Free!
Nature Exploration: Urban Wildlife
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park)
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s parks and the best ways for people and animals to coexist, including the many benefits of having so many animals in our city!
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!
Monday, December 16, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
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 18, 2024
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 Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
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!
Friday, December 20, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Whiz Kidz
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join Whiz Kidz for hands-on STEM fun! Spark curiosity and ignite a passion for learning in your child. Let their creativity soar! ??
Free!
Kids
Winter Wonderland Hike
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a brisk nature walk in Winter where we will look for and learn about the local flora and fauna that call Inwood Hill Park home.
Free!
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at Gateway Drive and Erskine Street (in Spring Creek Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Monday, December 23, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Build a Nature Birdfeeder
at Bowling Green Cottage (in Parade Ground), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn about winter birds in your neighborhood and what they like to eat. Build your very own bird feeder from recycled materials.
Free!
Kids
All About Owls Hike and Nature Craft for Kids
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls that can be found in our parks and create an owl related craft made from nature.
Free!
Kids
Seal Exploration for Kids
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk along the beach in search for seals! We will use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach, and learn about this magnificent marine animal.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
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!
Birding for Kids
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let’s learn how to get an up close look at birds without the need for wings! We will teach you ways to identify birds by sight and sounds.
Free!
Kids
Nature Puppet Show for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
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
Winter Birding for Kids
at West 90th Street and Central Park West
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
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Art Exhibition: Kenshō by Vince Serecin
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Birds with an exhibition: Kenshō, artwork by Vince Serecin.
Free!