Translate
AccessibilityNature
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
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Idlewild Environment Center: Critter Encounter
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us each week for a hands-on Critter Encounter where you'll meet a different animal from our center and learn fascinating facts about their habits and habitats.
Kids
Trees Count at Astoria Park
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Bats! Night Walk
at Seba Playground (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
7:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Gotham Bat Conservancy demonstrates tracking of acoustic radar that informs bats where to find food and direction. Bring your best bug repellent!
Free!
Event
Friday, August 1, 2025
Sovereign Beings Summer Enrichment Program
at Seton Falls Park, Bronx
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Sovereign Beings is a dynamic summer program dedicated to empowering children, teens, and young adults through a diverse array of educational, artistic, and wellness activities.
Free!
8/1 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!
Idlewild Trail Walk!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join us each week for a free nature walk along the Idlewild Trail! Perfect for curious explorers at every age.
Free!
Kids
Trees Count at Franz Sigel Park
at Franz Sigel Park, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Ongoing Museum Exhibit: Out of the Box Biodiversity: Student Art
at Rutan-Becket House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents Youth Art Featuring Pieces Completed by her Students
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Toddler Tunes & Tales at the Idlewild Environmental Center
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
We welcome participants ages 2-4 to learn all about critters through stories, sound and movement!
Kids
Summer of Food Forests: The Chestnut Grove in Highbridge Park
at Swindler Cove (in Sherman Creek), Manhattan
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Visit Highbridge Park with NYRP, emphasis on exploring hybridized variety of American Chestnut.
Free!
Wild at Night: Evening Nature Encounters
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
After the sun sets, Wave Hill belongs to the creatures of the night. Bats, fireflies, and more emerge from their daytime slumber to animate the grounds far from human eyes and ears.
Saturday, August 2, 2025
East New York Farmers Market
at ENY Youth Farm, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The East New York Farmers Market is a community-run market including local gardeners, vendors, and regional farmers, happening every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Free!
8/2 Highland Park Natural Areas Restoration
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust this summer to engage in hands-on restoration work in our natural areas!
Free!
Bay 84th Street Community Garden Volunteer Day
at Bay 84th Street Community Garden, Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come volunteer to give the garden some TLC. Help with weeding, throwing out garbage, & setting up a welcome station for community members who are curious about being a gardener/member.
Free!
Cross Country Course Volunteer Days
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Event
Pelham Bay Park Summer Wildflower Walk
at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Natural Areas Conservancy for a guided hike on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Pelham Bay Park
Free!
Event
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Community Paddle at Concrete Plant Park
at Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Community Paddle at Concrete Plant Park, Bronx
Free!
Kids
Nature's Workshop: Wild-Plant Bouquet Making
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join our knowledgeable Rangers on an identification walk and learn how to create stunning natural bouquets that will remain vibrant both fresh and dried. Best for Ages 12 and older.
Free!
Ongoing Museum Exhibit: Out of the Box Biodiversity: Student Art
at Rutan-Becket House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents Youth Art Featuring Pieces Completed by her Students
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
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.
Visit a Billion Oyster Project research station on the Baylander’s jungle deck.
Free!
Trees Count at Francis Lewis Park
at 3rd Avenue and Whitestone Expressway Entrance (in Francis Lewis Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Trees Count at Francis Lewis Park
at 3rd Avenue and Whitestone Expressway Entrance (in Francis Lewis Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Volunteer Work Day
at La Isla Youth Garden, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Help maintain this community-led space. Learn how to plant, prune, identify plants and trees, compost, do basic carpentry, and more! Enjoy nature and meet your neighbors.
Free!
Hallets Cove Free Community Walkup Kayaking
at Hallets Cove (in Socrates Sculpture Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LIC Community Boathouse offers free kayaking from Socrates’ beach at Hallet’s Cove starting at 1:00pm
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Woodlands Hike
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn all about the biodiversity of the oldest growth forest on Manhattan Island with the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
All that Slithers
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Discover the importance and beauty of the snakes found in NY and Marine Park
Free!
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage Workshop
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn how to identify plants traditionally used for cordage making.
Free!
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Bug Buddies!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Calling all bug enthusiasts for a monthly Bug Buddies program with our STEM Coordinator and resident bug expert, Keith McManus!
Kids
Nature's Workshop: Fantastical Nature Home Creation
at Bowling Green Cottage (in Parade Ground), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to fashion whimsical tiny houses from elements sourced in nature that conjure a sense of magic.
Free!
Kids
Trees Count at CPL Thompson Park
at Broadway and Henderson Avenue (in CPL. Thompson Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Urban Wildlife: Reptiles and Amphibians
at Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park, looking for and learning about the turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders that call New York City home.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Tide Pools
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Explore the shore with the Urban Park Rangers as we take a closer look at these temporary habitats and find out the many creatures that call tide pools home.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
The Amazing Garden: A Film and Conversation on Community Gardening in NYC
at The Amazing Garden (in ), Brooklyn
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Come enjoy a screening of the garden's film, “The Amazing Garden”, with the original gardeners! Then, stay for a BBQ celebration to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Amazing Garden.
Free!
Monday, August 4, 2025
Trees Count at Jackie Robinson Park
at Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Sovereign Beings Summer Enrichment Program
at Seton Falls Park, Bronx
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Sovereign Beings is a dynamic summer program dedicated to empowering children, teens, and young adults through a diverse array of educational, artistic, and wellness activities.
Free!
Ongoing Museum Exhibit: Out of the Box Biodiversity: Student Art
at Rutan-Becket House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents Youth Art Featuring Pieces Completed by her Students
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Kids
Trees Count at Morningside Park
at Morningside Park near Basketball Courts (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Sunset Series
at Prospect Park, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Make the most of longer days in the warmer months and join the Alliance to get outside and lend a hand at locations throughout Brooklyn’s Backyard.
Free!
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 10 Central Road (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!
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!
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!
%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B%2B__utmv%3D99211633.-%3B)