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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 12, 2026
Outdoor Skills: Firemaking
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hands-on lesson in campfire building and safety
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at 135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue (in St. Nicholas Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk through the trees of St. Nicholas Park and learn how to identify trees without their leaves using the three B’s: branching, buds, and bark!
Free!
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Winter Birding
at Wave Hill, Bronx 
9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
The Hudson River Valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months.
Gather Around the Winter Campfire
at Potter Avenue and Royal Oak Road (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers around the campfire for a peaceful moment in nature as we reflect on the season and look ahead to the new year.
Free!
Birding: Owls
at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale 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.
Nature Book Club
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore nature-themed books such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Take a book, leave a book.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a wintery tour of our cherished old growth forests and learn how to identify different trees after their leaves have dropped for the season.
Free!
Winter Tree ID: The Pinetum
at Entrance - 85th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk through the Arthur Ross Pinetum and learn about some evergreen trees!
Free!
Tuesday, December 15, 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, December 16, 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!
Thursday, December 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!
Friday, December 18, 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!
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Animal Adaptations
at Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue (in Brookville Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Holiday Tea Time
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrate the season with the Urban Park Rangers as we brew natural teas and explore the cultural traditions behind them. Registration required. Registration opens Monday December 7.
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–1:00 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!
Birding: Winter Birds
at Bocce Courts (in Bowne Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we walk around Bowne Park and see some of our local or not so local winter flyers. Learn about how birds survive harsh temperatures.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire: Nature Story Time
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for storytime around the campfire. Rangers will be reading children’s books related to the natural world.
Free!
Sunday, December 20, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various birds that stick around for the winter and some that might fly through on their journey south
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firemaking
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What can you use to build a fire? Explore this site as we search for different materials to use as kindling and learn advanced techniques to build an outdoor fire.
Free!
Winter Solstice Evergreen Tree ID Hike
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Leave the tinsel at home and lace up your boots and stockings for this fun tour of the trees that never quit photosynthesizing, even when the days are at their shortest!
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.
The Wonders of Winter
at Avenue A and St. Marks Place (in Tompkins Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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
Tuesday, December 22, 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, December 23, 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!
Thursday, December 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!
Friday, December 25, 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!
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various birds that stick around for the winter and some that might fly through on their journey south
Free!
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
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
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