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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, August 29, 2026
Goodhue Park Forest Restoration
at Brighton Ave & Lafayette Ave by the Soldier Monument
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship team to protect the forested areas in Goodhue Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Sunshine Community Fundraiser: Mini Flea Market Edition
at Sunshine Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The garden group will be fundraising for the garden maintenance by selling flowers, veggies, and clothing. Come by and pick up your unique bouquet locally grown by your community members!
Trees Count at Ferry Point Park with the Urban Park Rangers
at Ferry Point Parking Lot- Off of Hutchinson River Parkway (in Ferry Point Park), Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 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!
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!
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!
Vegan Social in the Garden
at Sugar Hill Hope Garden, Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Come to Sugar Hill Hope Garden for a Vegan Social! The garden group will be introducing vegan food and juices!
Free!
Discovery Hike: Seashells by the Seashore
at Beach 94th St. Amphitheater (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will introduce you to the natural wonders that wash up on the shores of the city’s beaches and what that means about the ecosystem just beneath the waves.
Free!
Herbal Medicine Workshop
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
This hands-on workshop will guide you through plant identification, the history of botanical medicine, harvesting techniques, and a variety of herbal remedies.
Free!
Soul of a Paint and Jam
at Success Garden - East New York, Brooklyn
2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Come to Success Garden - East New York to enjoy painting, music, nature, and community engagement. All are welcome!
Free!
Sunday, August 30, 2026
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: Diamondback Terrapins
at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn about the natural history and ecology of diamondback terrapins.
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Entrance - Vernon Boulevard and 41st Avenue (in Queensbridge Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the nature hidden under our very noses in this park located on the banks of the East River.
Free!
Trees Count at Morningside Park with the Urban Park Rangers
at West 114th Street and Morningside Drive (in Morningside 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!
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
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, September 2, 2026
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!
Nature Book Club
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a monthly discussion of a nature-themed book. This month's book will be The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan.
Free!
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Street Tree Care
at El Jardin del Paraiso (in ), Manhattan
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
We will explore the environmental benefits of the urban forest, and share how you can care for your friendly neighborhood trees.
Free!
Friday, September 4, 2026
Powell's Cove Park Forest Restoration
at Powell's Cove 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!
Fungi Hike
at Willowbrook Park, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
September is National Mushroom Month!
Free!
Event
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Phoenix Community Garden Public Volunteer Day
at Phoenix Community Garden, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteers will help weed, mulch, and care for the garden's ornamental and landscape plantings. The tasks we complete will help launch us into the next project: an ADA path installation
Free!
Cross Country Course Volunteer Days
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!
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!
Nature Exploration: Urban Wildlife
at east lawn (in Saratoga Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 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!
Summer on the Hudson: Billion Oyster Project Presentation
at On the Pier (in West Harlem Piers), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come see and learn about the Billion Oyster Project on the Baylander’s Jungle Deck.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Ecosystem Engineers
at West 108th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike through Riverside Park as we discuss the different ecosystems and biodiversity found within NYC.
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and explore this local ecosystem and learn about the fascinating nature in this park.
Free!
Tea and Healing in Nature, Connecting to the Elements
at Pleasant Village Community Garden (in ), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join the garden group at Pleasant Village Community Garden and learn about healing with natural medicine, and discover how to be in the here and now through the art of tea.
Free!
Sunday, September 6, 2026
CANCELLED: 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!
Gardening Plant Party for Kids
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn more about native wildflower planting and its benefits to park ecosystems while maintaining the native plant garden. Tools and plants will be provided.
Free!
Kids
Birding: Urban Birds and Fall Migration
at Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary (in Grant Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an introduction to urban birds at the beginning of the fall migration! We’ll explore the recently renovated Grant Park and the Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary.
Free!
Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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, September 9, 2026
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!
Monthly Nature Exploration Hike Series
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a monthly hike exploring Inwood Hill Park. The hike will begin at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. This month’s hike will focus on late-summer plants.
Free!
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Adult Hike: It’s a Shore Thing: South to Midland Beaches
at South Beach
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Ahoy! Summer may be winding down, but it’s still a great time to head to the beach.
Free!
September Ecology Team Meeting
at Virtual/Online Events
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
September Ecology Team Meeting
Free!
Friday, September 11, 2026
Nature Talks at Bryant Park Reading Room: Environmental History of Parks
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!
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!
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration
at Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Marine Park Forest Restoration
at 36th Street and Avenue U (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health
Free!
Event
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!
Shoreline Cleanup
at Inwood Canoe Club (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan, Inwood, west end of Dyckman Street, then south through the gate and past the sailing club. (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to clean up the Hudson River shoreline!
Free!
Fishing Series: Femme Fishing
at East River Picnic Area (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Randall’s Island Park Alliance for an afternoon of fishing for women, femme, and gender-nonconforming folx!
Free!
Event
Monarchs and Milkweed: Creating and Connecting Habitat for Monarch Butterflies
at Green Oasis Community Garden/Gilbert's Garden (in ), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn about the monarch’s life cycle, its impressive multi-generational 3,000 mile migration, and how to help them thrive in NYC green spaces. Attendees will be able to take home native milkweed or butterfly nectar plants for their gardens.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Water in the Wilderness
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn how to find, collect, and safely use water in the wild. Perfect for anyone looking to build confidence and stay prepared in real wilderness conditions.
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Nature Explorers
at 102nd Street Field House (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Nature-focused workshops and educational craft activities, best for children ages 4-10.
Free!
Kids
Trees Count at Socrates Sculpture Park with the Urban Park Rangers
at Entrance - Vernon Boulevard and Broadway (in Socrates Sculpture Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Using our Tree Census app, you’ll split up into different zones within the park to start counting trees! Registration is required. Registration begins on August 22.
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
Houseplant care and workshop at Eastchester Road Community Garden
at Eastchester Road Community Garden, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Are you a houseplant enthusiast or dreaming of starting an apartment garden but unsure where to begin? This workshop is perfect for you!
Free!
Nature Puppet Show
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), 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
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