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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
Friday, August 21, 2026
Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring and Stewardship
at Stapleton Waterfront Park (in Stapleton Esplanade), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Oysters and other bivalves act as natural filters for our shores. Learn more about these phenomenal creatures and other marine life at this Billion Oyster Project site along The Narrows
Free!
Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Strack Pond (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration Fridays this summer to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
Event
Trees Count at Bayswater Park
at Bayswater Park, Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Event
Morgan Walk: St. George’s Crescent
at St. George’s Crescent (in Mosholu Parkway), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join historian Terrell L. Armistead in a special tour along the Bronx River at St. George’s Crescent as they share the ecological stories and community histories of the Bronx River.
Free!
Volunteer Day: Work + Learn at Hattie Carthan Herban Farm
at Hattie Carthan Herban Farm, Brooklyn
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Join us for a hands-on Work and Learn Day at the Hattie Carthan Herban Farm!
Free!
Event
Saturday, August 22, 2026
FARM WORKS: "The Curiosity Collector" Kids & Youth Art Workshop
at Edgemere Farm, Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Participants will collect colors, sounds, shapes, questions, and patterns from around the farm, then turn their discoveries into a creative collection or pocket museum.
Free!
Kids
Trees Count at MacNeil Park
at MacNeil Park (in Hermon A. MacNeil Park), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Trees Count at Van Cortlandt Park
at Memorial Grove (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Art in the Garden: Vegetable Printmaking
at Patchen Community Square, Brooklyn
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Explore the shapes and textures of nature as we create unique prints and patterns using fruits and vegetables, while enjoying the garden.
Free!
Event
Community Work Day
at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Get your hands dirty with fun farm projects!
Free!
Dance in the Park: Soca
at East River Picnic Area (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Get ready to sweat, smile, and move at Soca in the Park!
Free!
Protecting the Peace
at Leave It Better Community Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Come to Leave It Better Community Garden to enjoy fun activities in the garden, including arts and crafts.
Free!
Open Garden Block Party
at Citizens for a Better Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Stop by the garden during the Monroe Street Block Party! All neighbors are welcome to join for family friendly activities, including flower press art, open garden exploration, & more!
Free!
Food Demos on the Urban Farm
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The Urban Farm hosts free food demonstrations to teach the community-at-large how to cook with the seasonal produce they can see growing on the farm.
Free!
Kids
Pot Luck Lunch in the Garden
at NYCHA Grant Houses Community Garden, Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a pot luck lunch in the garden! This invitation is city wide and for all those people who have helped keep Grant Shade Garden going. Pack a lunch and c'mon over!
Free!
Event
SBSB Annual Big Hat & Teacup Affair
at Success Garden - East New York, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Come to Success Garden - East New York for a Sisters Building Sisters Brooklyn (SBSB) Women Empowerment Event.
Free!
Music Day -Dia de Música
at Powers St. Community Garden, Brooklyn
12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come to Powers Street Garden for a day of community and music by local musicians!
Free!
Foraged Fiber Arts Workshop
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to craft plant materials into cordage, and about the historical significance of fiber-making.
Free!
Event
The Secret Lives of Insects
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 walk to learn the important role these fascinating insects play for the environment and humans.
Free!
Event
Workshop: Native Plants and Forest Gardens
at Labyrinth Farm (in The Battery), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Visit The Battery to tour the park's Forest Farm, learn frameworks and resources to help you select native plants for your garden site, and take home native seedlings.
Event
Willo: Feel the Music
at 6BC Botanical Garden, Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Willo is a space to feel the music. During the concert you will be able to express how the music makes you feel through any medium (journaling, drawing, crochet, dancing, etc).
Free!
Willo: Feel the Music
at 6BC Botanical Garden, Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
During the concert you will be able to express how the music makes you feel through any medium you’re comfortable with (journaling, drawing, crochet, dancing etc).
Free!
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Connecting with Nature Through Meditation Hike
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Exploring the elements within and around us those in attendance will gain a greater appreciation for their connection with the natural world.
Free!
Event
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Whether you are new to our farm or have been a tried-and-true volunteer, join us! You can help us take care of this important educational resource.
Free!
Urban Wildlife: Turtles
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk along the John Kieran Trail to learn all about your favorite aquatic reptiles!
Free!
Event
Back to School Species ID Hike
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an end of summer vacation hike.
Free!
Trees Count at Thomas Jefferson Park with the Urban Park Rangers
at Track (in Thomas Jefferson Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Using our Tree Census app, you’ll split up into different zones within the park to start counting trees! After completing your first training event, you are welcome to continue counting
Free!
Event
Guided Meditative Walk in The Battery
at SeaGlass Carousel (in The Battery), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a reflective walk through the park and a guided meditation
Free!
Event
Monday, August 24, 2026
Summer on the Hudson: Art in the Park
at Riverbank (Camel) Playground (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Interactive art and educational projects for kids of all ages.
Free!
Trees Count at Cambria Playground
at Cabbell Park (in Cambria Playground), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Trees Count at Clove Lakes Park
at Clove Lakes Park park house (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Stargazing on the High Line
at On the High Line at 13th Street (in The High Line), Manhattan, under The Standard, at 13th St. (in The High Line), Manhattan
8:15 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of the night sky every Tuesday on the High Line!
Free!
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
CANCELLED: Citywide Nursery Gardening
at Citywide Nursery, Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Stewardship team and staff at Citywide Nursery to maintain our plant hoop houses and pot up perennials into larger grow pots.
Free!
Wetland Wednesdays: Volunteer Restoration at Van Cortlandt Park
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Wetland and floodplain restoration with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. Wednesdays 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26, 9 AM-12 PM. Tools and training provided.
Free!
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 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!
Pop Matthews and Anthony Otero
at Surfside Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the summer with us and relax and create together! All ages are welcome to attend.
Free!
Event
Ranger Tot Time
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of kid friendly activities and exploring the Inwood Hill Nature Center.
Free!
Event
Reading Together in Community
at Success Garden - East New York, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Through stories, songs and activities we'll introduce your families to some fun and easy tips to get your young readers learning and growing on this journey.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Learning Garden (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Art in the Park
at Riverbank (Camel) Playground (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Interactive art and educational projects for kids of all ages.
Free!
Trees Count at Cypress Hills Playground
at Park House (in Cypress Hills Playground), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Event
Trees Count at Beach 17th Street Playground
at Beach 17th Street Playground (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!
Free!
Event
Friday, August 28, 2026
Kissena Park Forest Restoration
at Kissena Park, Queens
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Nature Talks at Bryant Park Reading Room: NYC Wildlife Rehabilitation with The Wild Bird Fund
at Reading Room (in Bryant Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Step outside and explore the natural world with free outdoor lectures led by local experts.
Free!
Full Moon Yoga Club
at Backyard Garden, Brooklyn
7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Come to the garden for a special moonlit community yoga session led by Minda Matz with the Full Moon Yoga Club on the Corn Moon!
Free!
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration
at Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Interactive Baby Class with Flying Teapot
at East Fourth Street Community Garden, Brooklyn
9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Come to the garden for a creative and very interactive hour of music, with songs and instruments for littles, geared to babies through age 4, led by Joanne Riel of Flying Teapot.
Free!
Kids
Archery
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
All equipment will be provided. Ages 8 and older. Lottery registration opens Monday August 17.
Free!
Forest Restoration at Strack Pond
at Strack Pond (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration this summer to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
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