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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, November 10, 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!
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
CANCELLED: 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!
Idlewild Park Forest Restoration
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks Stewardship to protect forested areas of Idlewild Park!
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!
Thursday, November 12, 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!
Friday, November 13, 2026
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 fall to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
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!
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Falling for Nature Hike
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Celebrate the beauty of late autumn on a guided nature walk through Conference House Park.
Free!
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!
Event
Native Planting at Forest Park
at Buddy Monument (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks, The Forest Park Trust and Natural Areas Conservancy for a planting event in Forest Park!
Free!
Event
Behind The Smile: Animal Adaptations Revealed
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Discover how animal teeth and skulls reveal the secrets of survival in the wild.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Waterfront Ecosystems
at Lawn Area (in Bushwick Inlet Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn how native plants, shoreline habitats, and restored coastal features support wildlife and strengthen the East River waterfront against climate impacts.
Free!
Sungazing with West Harlem Art Fund
at West 135th Street Plaza (in St. Nicholas Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the West Harlem Art Fund at St. Nicholas Park for a unique solar-viewing experience, where participants can safely observe the Sun through specialized, solar-filtered telescopes.
Free!
The Secret Lives of Insects
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk to learn the important role these fascinating insects play for the environment and humans.
Free!
Sunday, November 15, 2026
Street Tree Care
at Harlem Valley Garden, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Harlem Valley Garden will partner with LES Ecology for a street tree care session. This is a community event. Volunteers are encouraged and welcome to join!
Free!
Autumn Leaves Story Time and Craft
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Autumn is a colorful, magical season, so let’s learn more about it.
Free!
Kids
Calendula Salve Making Workshop
at T & T Vernon Block Association Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Take home a soothing, handmade salve to nourish your skin through the dry winter months and Harvest Calendula seeds from the garden so you can grow your own Calendula next year!
Free!
Invasive Plant Removal and Native Species Planting
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn to identify invasive plant species, discover how they impact local ecosystems, and help remove them to support native plants and wildlife.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Urban Mammals
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the wide variety of mammals that live in New York City.
Free!
Kids
Fireside Meditation
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this contemplative program about fire, the things we take with us, and the things we leave behind.
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.
Nature's Workshop: Bird Friendly Windows
at Public Restroom Building - 164th St and Lithonia Ave (in Kissena Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Discover why birds collide with windows during migration and create a bird-friendly window marker to help keep local and migrating birds safe.
Free!
Tuesday, November 17, 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!
Wednesday, November 18, 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!
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 Gardeners to remove 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. Please note that we are unable to sign any forms or timesheets for anyone that is required to complete volunteer hours either court mandated and HRA participants.
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!
Thursday, November 19, 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!
Friday, November 20, 2026
Ecology Park Forest Restoration
at Ecology Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to learn more about and protect the forested areas in Ecology Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health
Free!
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 fall to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
Restoration Fridays at Highland Park
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 for Restoration Fridays this fall!
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!
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Alley Pond Park Tree and Shrub Planting
at Alley Pond Park, Queens
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees in the forest of Alley Pond Park! Volunteers will be trained in proper planting techniques.
Free!
Event
Crotona Park Stewardship Saturday
at Crotona Tennis House (in Crotona Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join staff to clear leaves and debris from around Indian Lake and remove trash from our large park zones and help to keep Crotona Park looking great! Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothing. Meet at the Crotona Park Tennis House located at 1700 Crotona Avenue. Please note that we are unable to sign any forms or timesheets for anyone that is required to complete volunteer hours either court mandated and HRA participants.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Pond and Freshwater Ecology
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Lakes and ponds are thriving habitats to various species of birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians and plants.
Free!
Garden Clean up! Putting the Garden to Sleep
at Joe Holzka Community Garden, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Help clean around garden, put hoses away, empty all water barrels, and trim plants for winter and remove any tools barrels and equipment to store in shed.
Free!
Trail Restoration at Forest Park
at Mural Bridge (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for a trail restoration in Forest Park!
Free!
Birding: Owls
at Orchard Beach Pavilion (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the behavior and diet of New York City’s most mysterious raptors: owls!
Free!
Forest Park Super Hike
at The Overlook (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this lengthy hike of Forest Park. Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park.
Free!
Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Seth Low Playground (in Seth Low Playground/ Bealin Square), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What treasure has Sammy the Squirrel hidden in the playground? Follow clues to locate new discoveries in the park and take home a piece of Sammy’s bounty!
Free!
Kids
Falling for Nature Hike
at West 81st Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Celebrate the beauty of late autumn on a guided nature walk through Central Park.
Free!
Greenbelt Natural History Hike with Dr. Eric W. Sanderson
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Join Sanderson and Greenbelt Educators for a conversational walking tour that blends Staten Island’s past and present landscapes.
Free!
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Birding: Fall Migration
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Blue Heron Park to look for birds that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Autumn Mushroom ID Hike
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike on the Kieran Trail to explore seasonal mushrooms.
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.
Hibernation and Brumation Hike
at Union Turnpike and 196th Street (in Cunningham Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks, reptiles and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to witness the harbor seals in their natural habitat off the shore of Orchard Beach and learn about these incredible marine mammals and their fascinating be
Free!
Freedom Seekers: Stories by the Fire
at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an outdoor storytelling program exploring the history of the Underground Railroad.
Free!
Tuesday, November 24, 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!
Wednesday, November 25, 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!
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