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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
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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 13, 2025
Monthly Gardening days at Roger Morris Park
at Roger Morris Park, Manhattan
8:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
Join our Gardeners for reoccurring volunteer days at Roger Morris park to learn gardening tips and help with the beautification of the park.
Free!
Woodlawn Wednesdays in Van Cortlandt Park
at Woodlawn Playground (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help restore the beautiful woodlands of Van Cortlandt Park’s east side! Join us for Woodlawn Wednesdays, where volunteers like you play a vital role in preserving this important urban ecosystem.
Free!
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!
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
Wetland Wednesdays
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Drop in to explore the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh during Wetland Wednesdays!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild Environmental Center: Enviro Games!
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
A fun, interactive session featuring team challenges and board games that inspire awareness and action. We welcome all participants ages 7+!
Free!
Kids
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring and Stewardship
at Stapleton Waterfront Park
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!
Prospect Park Stroller Walk
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Calling all parents and caregivers with children! Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways. Embrace the sound of streams and songs of birds.
Free!
Kids
Trees Count at Seton Park
at Independence Ave & W 232nd Street, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
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
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
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!
Friday, August 15, 2025
Forest Fridays in Van Cortlandt Park
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for Forest Fridays — a weekly opportunity to restore one of NYC’s most ecologically significant green spaces.
Free!
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!
8/15 Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Buddy Monument (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 Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center (in Idlewild Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
A free, family-friendly nature walk along the Idlewild Trail in Queens!
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
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
Trees Count at Lawrence Virgilio Playground
at Play Area (in Lawrence Virgilio Playground), Queens
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Writing Workshop
at Newkirk Community Garden, Brooklyn
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Come & write in the surroundings of a beautiful community garden! Workshop will be guided by Sherri Machlin, author, instructor, Art Librarian, CUNY. Journals and pens will be provided.
Free!
Family Camping: Brooklyn
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
7:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday August 6.
Free!
Saturday, August 16, 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!
8/16 Forest Park Hike and Pick - Yellow Trail
at Metropolitan Avenue and Forest Park Drive (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for a trail clean-up on the Yellow Trail in Forest Park!
Free!
Event
Family Art Project: Plant Reliefs
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join visiting artist Ye Zhu to explore your connection to Wave Hill through art!
Event
Idlewild Park Forest Restoration
at Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center (in Idlewild Park), Queens
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!
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!
33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition at Coney Island Beach
at West 12th St. & Boardwalk (in Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us for the 33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition, a fun-filled day at the beach where talented artists will create magnificent sculptures out of sand.
Free!
Event
Community Work Day
at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Stop by the Wyckoff Urban Farm on the third Saturday of the month to learn about what we're growing, get to know our farmers, and get your hands dirty with farm projects!
Free!
Discovery Hike: Soil Testing
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore and contents of the ground beneath us.
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
Planting the Native Garden
at Narrows Botanical Gardens (in Shore Park and Parkway), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an exploration of the seasonal flowers at Narrows Botanical Garden. Learn all about the Native plants that call our neck of the woods home
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Memory Impression - Herbarium Workshop
at 102nd Street Field House (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Press flowers & leaves while reflecting on the stories plants tell. Conservancy staff assists participants in creating botanical keepsakes that honor personal connections to nature.
Free!
Event
Upon This Rock Community Garden Fair
at Upon This Rock Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Come visit the garden to learn how to get involved and take part in activities, like games, arts and crafts, blood pressure checks, and herb education!
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!
Taste of the Farm
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for our first ever, “Taste of the Farm,” a family-friendly day of activities and food celebrating the height of the growing season at Randall’s Island Park Alliance’s Urban Farm.
Free!
Event
Trees Count at Fort Greene Park
at Prison Ship Martyrs Monument (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
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
Salt Marsh Ecology
at Ward's Island Footbridge (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike to Hell Gate Salt Marsh (and more) to learn about the ecology and wildlife that inhabit this underappreciated environment.
Free!
Paint and Sit with Art on the Ave NYC
at Smith Garden- Alfred Smith houses (NYCHA)
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Art on the Ave NYC will have a three-hour Paint & Sit event. Come participate in a guided art session or create your own work of art while enjoying the beauty of the garden.
Free!
Children's Summer Celebration
at Union St. Garden and Community Development, Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Come to our annual summer children's event for food, classic games, gardening projects, and other activities to enjoy. Children of all ages and their parents are all welcome!
Free!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Discovery Hike: Urban Wildlife
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and others survive in our urban environment while searching for some of these species.
Free!
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