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
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Discover the amazing variety of birds that winter here in NYC. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Deer Exploration Hike
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots as we explore the park in search of one of white-tailed deer!
Free!
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
FrogWatch USA Virtual Training
at Virtual/Online Workshop
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
earn how to identify local frog species, their importance in wetland ecosystems, and more. This 90-minute online training session will certify participants as FrogWatch USA volunteers.
Free!
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Greenbelt @ Home: Meet Our Animal Ambassadors
at Virtual/Online Workshop
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Get up close and personal with snakes, turtles, frogs, and much more! Our educators will address your questions and help the group learn about the natural history of these amazing animals.
Free!
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Tidy Thursdays
at Starlight Park, Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help clean up Starlight Park. Masks, gloves, grabbers, hand sanitizer, and temperature checks for COVID-19 provided.
Free!
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Crazy for Composting: Food Waste Edition!
at Virtual/Online Workshop
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by NYBG online for their fun and informative Crazy for Composting: Food Waste Edition to discover ways to compost your food scraps and more!
Free!
The Pelham Bay Super Hike
at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This challenging hike winds its way through many diverse forests and ecosystems in Pelham Bay Park. Participants are chosen by lottery.
Free!
A Horse of Course
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and our Parks Enforcement Patrol Mounted Unit to learn about our specialized enforcement unit in Parks. We will also take a nature walk on the bridle path at Forest Park.
Free!
Event
Nature's Workshop: Creating Music from Nature
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Discover which trees and natural materials are used to build modern-day musical instruments.
Free!
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Nature Craft with Angel - Make Your Own Bird Feeder Ornaments
at Virtual/Online Workshop
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join Environmental Educator Angel Ehlers on this hands-on virtual journey, as she takes you through the easy process of making your own bird feeder from a few simple materials and ingredients.
Free!
Historic New York: Putnam Greenway Bike Tour
at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Hop on your bike and take a spin along this historic trail with the Rangers. Lottery registration is required.
Free!
Birding: Raptor Watch
at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Appropriate for all skill levels.
Free!
Spring Ahead Night Hike
at Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
On our hikes, you may explore nature, discover our City's rich history and diverse culture, or just unplug form the world to clear your head. Registration required.
Free!
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Restoration Wednesdays
at Shoelace Park (in Bronx Park), Bronx, Bronx River Forest at Burke Bridge (in Bronx Park), Bronx, Muskrat Cove, Bronx
, Starlight Park, Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Support the conservation crew in green infrastructure maintenance and litter collection in one of our Bronx Parks.
Free!
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Tidy Thursdays
at Starlight Park, Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help clean up Starlight Park. Masks, gloves, grabbers, hand sanitizer, and temperature checks for COVID-19 provided.
Free!
Story Time | Hopping into Spring with Frogs
at Virtual/Online Workshop
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Springtime is the frogs' most noisy season of all, so come on by to see what all the hubbub is about! We will learn fun facts, read a great storybook, and make a creative frog craft together.
Free!
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail)
at Blue Trail Head (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteers will be provided with trash pickers and garbage bags to clean as they hike the trail!
Free!
Nature Exploration: Marine Park
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers for a nature exploration walk through Marine Park.
Free!
Signs of Spring Hike
at Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrate Women's Histroy Month with the Urban Park Rangers. Join the Rangers as we discuss the impactful affect of women in wildlife conservation, past and present.
Free!
Event
Nature Exploration: Seton Falls Park
at East 233 Street and Baychester Avenue (in Seton Falls Park), Bronx 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join our Urban Park Rangers on a nature exploration hike through the Grand Canyon of the Bronx! Our Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City parks.
Free!
Historic New York: Fort Tryon
at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in exploring the natural and human history of Fort Tryon Park.
Free!
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Birding: Spring Migrants
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. On this program, we search for birds that have gotten an early start on the Spring migration season.
Free!
Kids
Birding: Gulls and Shorebirds
at Sand Lane and Father Capadanno Boulevard (in Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots. Registration is required.
Free!
Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt
at Crotona Park E & Charlotte Street (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Stretch out the winter wearies with a hike through Crotona Park in search of buds, blooms, birds, and other signs of spring.
Free!
Central Park Rocks! Geology Hike
at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The island of Manhattan is built on three strata know as Manhattan Schist, Inwood Marble, and Fordham Gneiss. Join our Urban Park Rangers on this hike and find out why Central Park rocks!
Free!
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Tidy Thursdays
at Starlight Park, Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help clean up Starlight Park. Masks, gloves, grabbers, hand sanitizer, and temperature checks for COVID-19 provided.
Free!
Seasonal Wonders Natural History Hike | Bloodroot Valley Venture
at Virtual/Online Workshop
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
We will pass stands of pine, serpentine rocks, and signs of spring. We will cross a sparkling stream and, if we're lucky, we might come across the elusive Bloodroot plant.
Free!
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Birding: Spring Migrants
at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. On this program, we search for birds that have gotten an early start on the Spring migration season.
Free!
Kids
Hike & Pick! (Blue Trail)
at Blue Trail Head (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteers will be provided with trash pickers and garbage bags to clean as they hike the trail!
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Fire Making
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What can you use to build a fire? Explore with the Urban Park Rangers as we look for different materials and ways to construct a fire. Registration is required.
Free!
Women's History Month: Anne Hutchinson
at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will hike to Split Rock, highlighting the life and death of Anne Hutchinson, a key figure in the development of religious freedom in the English American colonies.
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: City Squirrels
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Birding: Birding 101
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. On this program, learn the very basics of bird watching as a hobby.
Free!
Kids
Welcome Spring Scavenger Hunt & Seed Swap
at Old Stone House (in J.J. Byrne Playground), Brooklyn 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come down to the Park from 10 am – Noon to participate in family friendly Springtime fun! Join our scavenger hunt, swap seeds or cuttings, and take home a plant grow kit.
Free!
Nature Exploration: Clove Lakes Park
at Park Drive and Clove Road (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
On Nature Exploration Hikes we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. Registration is required.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Fire Building
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn primitive and modern methods for making fire safely and responsibly while exploring the great outdoors.
Free!
Coastal Scavenger Hunt
at Beach 86th Street (in Rockaway Beach), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
You never know what you may observe on this exploration of clues left behind by some of the species that call this area their home.
Free!
Spring Nocturnal Hike
at West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
As the sun sets the darkness-loving creatures come out. We will explore northern Central Park at night and try to find the things that squeak, growl, or hoot in the night!
Free!
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Facebook Live! Nature Walk at Freshkills Park
at Virtual/Online Workshop
12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.
Freshkills Park was once the site of the world’s largest landfill and is currently becoming a 2200-acre park, scheduled to be completed in 2036. Freshkills Park staff will take you behind the scenes to visit areas that are currently closed to the public.
Free!