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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, December 26, 2026
Gather Around the Holiday Campfire
at Potter Avenue and Royal Oak Road (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers around the campfire for some storytelling and a wonderful fire to warm up from the cold.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Take a stroll and spot some of our colorful fowl feathered friends. Beginner friendly.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire
at Play Area (in Poppenhusen Playground), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join NYC’s Urban Park Ranger and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Become a “Nature Scene Investigator” and learn the animal-spotting tricks from the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Sunday, December 27, 2026
Discovery Hike: Winter Wildlife
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to discover the residents of NYC Parks and how they are toughing through the winter months.
Free!
The Wonders of Winter
at De Matti Playground (in De Matti Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Enjoy a calm, family-friendly outing and learn how nature continues to thrive all around us, even in winter’s quiet.
Free!
Kids
Winter Wonderland Hike
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
oin the Urban Park Rangers on a brisk nature walk in winter and discover the science of winter weather and what it means for local flora and fauna.
Free!
Birding: Owls
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the behavior and diet of New York City’s most mysterious raptors: owls!
Free!
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Seasonal Plants of the Holiday Season
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the iconic plants that shape winter holiday traditions.
Free!
Monday, December 28, 2026
Kids Week: Meet the Nature Center Critters
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Even when school's out, our parks are still the city's natural classroom! From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Fire Making
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers atop Fort Greene and learn the basics of fire safety and fire making.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Fire Making
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers atop Fort Greene and learn the basics of fire safety and fire making.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Stretch and Play
at Queensbridge Park House (in Queensbridge Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Reach like trees, flutter like butterflies, and hop like frogs in this interactive movement session inspired by the plants and animals around us.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 29, 2026
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!
Kids Week: Build a Nature Birdfeeder
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about winter birds in your neighborhood and what they like to eat. Build your very own bird feeder from natural and recycled materials.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a cozy campfire and story telling session. Rangers will share engaging and educational stories about wildlife and nature. Dress warm
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Animal Tracking
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a fun winter adventure as we search for animal clues in Inwood Hill Park!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn what it takes to survive the winter elements. Team up with your family and bond over these team building activities.
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, December 30, 2026
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!
Kids Week: Seal Exploration for Kids
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk along the beach in search for seals! We will use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach, and learn about this magnificent marine animal.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Birding for Kids
at West 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Bird watching can be fun, especially during the winter season. Learn all about different ways to identify birds in our parks.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Kids Science Fair
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an amazing day of science. Channel your inner scientist with amazing hands-on experiments.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
Thursday, December 31, 2026
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!
Kids Week: Nature Games and Trivia
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and test your knowledge of the natural world by playing games and answering trivia.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Lindower Park, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 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
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a cozy campfire and story telling session. Rangers will share engaging and educational stories about wildlife and nature. Dress warm
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Entrance - Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue (in Hunter's Point South Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Celebration
at West 114th Street and Morningside Drive (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in a celebration of all the things that make winter special! Play winter-themed games, sit by a campfire, and learn about the winter wildlife in our parks.
Free!
Kids
Friday, January 1, 2027
New Year's Day Super Hike
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Pelham Bay Park on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
New Year's Day Hike
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
If your New Year's resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Start the new year off right on this healthy and scenic hike of Clove Lakes Park.
Free!
Sunday, January 3, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Sunday, January 10, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Sunday, January 17, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Sunday, January 24, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Sunday, January 31, 2027
Chase Away the Winter Blues Nature Walk
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join psychotherapist and longtime Brooklyn Botanic Gardens tour guide Lynne Spevack, LCSW, for an outdoor wintertime walk designed to chase away the winter blues.
Free!
Event
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Sunday, February 7, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Saturday, February 13, 2027
Winter Tree ID
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Participants will learn the main strategies for tree identification during the winter month; branching, bud structure, and bark. They will be introduced to some of the most common genus and species found on NYC streets and parks.
Free!
Sunday, February 14, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Sunday, February 21, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Friday, February 26, 2027
10th Annual GreenThumb Garden Recognition Awards
at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - New York Public Library, Manhattan
7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Nominate GreenThumb gardens and gardeners (including your own and yourself!) for a GreenThumb Garden Recognition Awards by completing the nomination form here by Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026!
Free!
Saturday, February 27, 2027
Winter Tree Care & Pruning
at Union St. Garden and Community Development, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
We’ll also be shown the standard 3-cut pruning method and some of the basic tools for small scale pruning (hand pruners, hand saw, pole saw). The workshop will also include best practices for tree care during the dormant winter months: pruning, mulching, clearing invasive or problem plants, and inspecting for major defects or disease.
Free!
Sunday, February 28, 2027
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Saturday, May 1, 2027
2027 GrowTogether Conference: Workshops
at CUNY Graduate Center, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Submit proposals for GrowTogether Workshops on Saturday, May 1 at CUNY Graduate Center and Guided Tours at community gardens and urban gardening sites in NYC on Sunday, May 2 in 2027!
Free!
Sunday, May 2, 2027
2027 GrowTogether Conference: Guided Tours & Outdoor Workshop Proposals
at New York City, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Submit proposals for GrowTogether Workshops on Saturday, May 1 at CUNY Graduate Center and Guided Tours at community gardens & urban gardening sites in NYC on Sunday, May 2 in 2027!
Free!
Saturday, June 5, 2027
Tenth Annual Open Garden Weekend
at New York City, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Hundreds of community gardens will be opening their gates to the public for a weekend of free activities and exploration. Stay tuned for details!
Free!
Sunday, June 6, 2027
Tenth Annual Open Garden Weekend
at New York City, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Hundreds of community gardens will be opening their gates to the public for a weekend of free activities and exploration. Stay tuned for details!
Free!
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