Natural Resources Group Publications

In 1984, Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern founded the Natural Resources Group (NRG) within NYC Parks. The group consists of a team of biologists, natural resource managers, mapping scientists, and restoration ecologists who develop and implement management programs for the protection, acquisition, and restoration of the City’s natural resources.

NRG has earned international recognition for its pioneering research in urban ecology restoration and management. Awards include the Society for Ecological Restoration’s International Sperry Award, the National Wetlands Award, the Chevron-Times Mirror Magazine North America Conservation Prize, the Nature Conservancy Oak Leaf Award, and the US EPA Environmental Quality Award.

Featured Publications

Native Species Planting Guide

Native Species Planting Guide

The NYC Native Species Planting Guide lists all the native plants of New York City and is an excellent resource to incorporate the use of native plants in their designs

Download the Guide

Forest Management Framework for NYC

Forest Management Framework for New York City

Categorizes the condition of forests in more than 50 parks across the five boroughs, based on metrics for ecological health and threat.

Download the Report

Wetlands Management Framework for NYC

Wetlands Management Framework for New York City

Provides a 30-year roadmap for the preservation, restoration, and management of all wetlands and streams in New York City.

Download the Plan

Natural Resources Group Publications

Publication Name Date
Green Infrastructure Tree and Soil Study 2024
Wetlands Management Framework 2021
Strategies for Managing NYC’s Streams 2020
Harlem River Watershed and Natural Resources Management Plan for the Bronx - English 2020
Harlem River Watershed and Natural Resources Management Plan for the Bronx - Spanish  2020
Harlem River Watershed Appendix 2020
North Shore of Staten Island Habitat Restoration and Green Infrastructure Plan 2020
Native Species Planting Guide for New York City, 3rd Edition 2019
Forest Management Framework 2018
Tibbetts Brook Wetland Restoration: Conceptual Plan 2018
Salt Marsh Restoration Design Guidelines 2018
Salt Marsh Restoration Monitoring Guidelines 2018
Common Ground: Art, Data and Ecology at New York State Field Stations 2018
Reading the Landscape: Citywide Social Assessment of New York City Parks and Natural Areas in 2013-2014 2016
Alley Creek Watershed Management Plan - Executive Summary 2015
Alley Creek Watershed Management Plan 2015
Guidelines to Urban Forest Restoration 2015
Research Permits Report 2014
Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Protocol Development for NYC 2013
Bronx River Ecological Restoration and Management Plan 2006

Historical Documents

Publication Name Date
A Guide to the Birds of Queens (1990) 1990
Birds of Riverdale Park and Wave Hill, Bronx, New York 1988
Forest Park, Queens, New York: A Guide to the Natural Areas 1993
Forests of New York City 1995
Freshwater Wetlands of New York City 1991
Kissena Park, The Wild Side: A Guide to its Natural Areas 1988
Salt Marshes of New York City 1990
Staten Island Natural Areas 1991
The Country in the City: New York's Natural Parklands 1987
The Gerritsen Creek Nature Trail: Marine Park, Brooklyn, New York 1986
The John Kieran Nature Trail: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, New York 1987
The Kazimiroff Nature Trail: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, New York 1989
Udalls Park Preserve, Queens, New York: A Guide to the Natural Areas 1990
Wolfe's Pond Park, Staten Island, New York: A Guide to the Natural Areas 1990