Nature
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, September 13, 2025
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!
Maple Street Community Garden Art Cafe
at Maple Street Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
An 'Art Cafe' themed bake sale with crafting workshops and areas.
Summer on the Hudson: Nature Explorers
at 102nd Street Field House (in Riverside Park), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
Arts and crafts, storytelling, and nature-focused workshops for kids!
Free!
Kids
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
This Urban Park Ranger led hike will take you through the forest to learn how to identify fungi.
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.
Sorghum Saturday: A Sweet Day on the Urban Farm
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 

1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
During this hands-on experience, you will juice sorghum with a hand cranked press, taste fresh sorghum juice, sample boiled-down sorghum syrup, and snack on popped sorghum grain.
Free!
Trees Count at Corlears Hook Park
at Jackson Street at Cherry Street (in Corlears Hook Park), Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Family Camping: Manhattan
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
6:00 p.m.–7:00 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 Sept 3.
Free!
Family Camping: Queens
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
6:00 p.m.–7:00 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 Aug 13.
Free!
Sunset Storytime Saturdays in September
at Poppa & Momma Jones Historical Garden, Brooklyn
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Come to Poppa & Momma Jones Historical Garden every Saturday in September to hear a story read in the garden by community members! 6:00 p.m. in English and 6:30 p.m. in Spanish
Free!
Kids
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Birding: Fall Migration
at 39th Ave Alley Creek Trail, Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Come explore Alley Creek as hundreds of migratory birds use the wetland as a resting place on their way back down south for the winter.
Free!
Fall Birding
at Wave Hill, Bronx 

9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Explore Wave Hill’s gardens, woodlands, and the skies overhead to look for resident and migrating birds.
Family Art Project: Paint and Fly with Monarch Butterflies
at Wave Hill, Bronx 

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Paint and wear your own big, bold butterfly wings!
Trees Count at Riverside Park
at Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
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!
Maggie's Magic Fest
at Maggies Magic Garden, Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Celebration of the 32nd anniversary of Maggie's Magic Garden! Festivities include tours of the garden, oral history, photography, and music. Come celebrate and learn about the garden!
Free!
The Van Cortlandt Super Hike (Vigorous)
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
. Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Van Cortlandt Park on an 8 mile journey through the park’s diverse forest ecosystems. Wear comfortable shoes
Free!
Fire Ecology Hike | Caminata ecología del fuego
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street Entrance (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
oin this bilingual, ecologist-led hike to learn more about wildfires, our forest, and to enjoy the naturally cooler air of the forest!
Free!
Event
Sculpture & Performance: Slow Violence, a collaboration by Izzy Leung and Laura Witsken
at 6BC Botanical Garden, Manhattan 

12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Slow Violence is a sculpture with an accompanying durational performance of ice, material, and body exploring the gradual degradation of our environmental world.
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Huellas De Vida (Bilingual Horticulture Tour)
at 120th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Ven a celebrar la vida, fomentar conexiones con la naturaleza y honrar los ecosistemas que nos sustentan/ Foster connections with nature on this guided bilingual horticulture tour
Free!
Trees Count at Brower Park
at Entrance at Brooklyn Avenue and Prospect Place (in Brower Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Autumn Gardening and Wildflower ID
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 as we keep our garden blooming. It’s time for goldenrod and aster.
Free!
Kids
Discovery Hike: Pond Ecology
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Lakes and ponds are thriving habitats to various species of birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians and plants.
Free!
Kids
Jazz in the Garden
at West 123rd St. Community Garden, Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come to West 123rd Street Community Garden to enjoy the garden and jazz with Richard Clements (Piano), Chris Haney (Bass), Alberto Chiozzi (Drums), and featuring singing by Margo Andrea!
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.
Monday, September 15, 2025
Trees Count at Mosholu Parkway
at E204th Street and East Mosholu Parkway South (in Mosholu Parkway), Bronx
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.
Junior Naturalist: Autumn Adventures
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
In this 7-week afterschool program, Junior Naturalists will dive into the science of autumn through hands-on activities, games, and outdoor adventures.
Kids
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Trees Count at Ruppert Park
at Ruppert Park, Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–1:00 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.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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!
Crotona Park Work Together Wednesday
at Crotona Tennis House (in Crotona Park), Bronx 

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help the Crotona Park Gardener to plant daffodil bulbs, remove invasive weeds, litter and trash from the park entrance gardens and planted areas. Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Meet at the Crotona Park Tennis House located at 1700 Crotona Avenue
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.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Trail Work Thursday
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (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. Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact!
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!
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.
Summer on the Hudson: Forest Bathing
at 119th Street Tennis Courts (in Riverside Park), Manhattan 

6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Reconnect with nature on a guided walk led by certified Forest Therapy Guide Lori Klamner.
Free!
Friday, September 19, 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!
9/19 Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
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 Forest Restoration Fridays this summer to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
International Coast Cleanup at Bush Terminal Park
at Entrance on 1st Ave. & 50th St. (in Bush Terminal Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team and the Billion Oyster Project to protect wetland areas in Bush Terminal Park! Volunteers will help us remove debris in order to help restore...
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!
Trees Count at Forest Park
at Forest Park Carousel (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count 2025!
Free!
Plant Sale
at Wave Hill, Bronx 

12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Take a piece of the garden home with you at Wave Hill’s renowned Plant Sale!
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.
Family Camping: Bronx
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
6:00 p.m.–7:00 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 Sept 10
Free!