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, April 26, 2025
Planting the Sensory Garden
at Bowling Green Cottage (in Parade Ground), Brooklyn 

10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Nurture your green thumb and your community as you learn the basic needs for plant care and discover plants that stimulate the senses.
Free!
Event
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
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!
Volunteer Workday at Upon This Rock Community Garden
at Upon This Rock Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join Upon This Rock Community Garden for a spring clean up! Volunteer will participate in a variety of garden tasks such as cleaning debris, weeding, tool organization, and spreading earth matter.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Clifton Place Memorial Garden & Park
at Clifton Place Memorial Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb garden and engage in EarthMonth activities, such as building raised beds and planting a floral landscape.
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Pelham Bay Park Bio Blitz
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Pelham Bay Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers and other species.
Free!
Event
Earth Day at Maggies Magic Garden
at Maggies Magic Garden, Manhattan
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join us in East Harlem for Moroccan tea and music, while you enjoy, attend a sustainable ups-cycled art workshop hosted by Maggie founder of Maggie's Magic Garden.
Free!
Arbor Day Scavenger Hunt
at Sobelsohn Playground (in Forest Park), Queens 

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and explore the world around you and get to know your neighborhood trees. Conquer our tree scavenger hunt that will inspire curiosity and answer about trees
Free!
City Nature Challenge Bird Blitz
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25-28
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Naturalist Hike
at Martling Avenue and Brooks Pond Place (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25 - April 28.
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Alley Pond Park
at Adventure Course Parking Lot (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way.
Free!
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Free!
Spring Seeds Day at Newkirk Community Garden
at Newkirk Community Garden, Brooklyn 

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join Newkirk Community Garden for a volunteer workday to help with starting seeds ahead of the garden season! We may also participant in a general garden clean up and tool shed organization.
Free!
Bike Ride to Earth Day Festival
at 114th Street & First Avenue (in Thomas Jefferson Park), Manhattan
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Ride to Earth Day Festival with El Barrio Bikes! Meet up at Thomas Jefferson Park in Harlem and enjoy a scenic ride along the riverfront and through the park, ending at the Festival!
Free!
04/26 City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Idlewild Park
at Idlewild Park, Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Parks staff as we walk Idlewild Park to observe and collect data for City Nature Challenge, an international biodiversity competition taking place April 25 - 28
Free!
Earth Day Festival
at Field 62 - 63 (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate spring at the annual, free Randall’s Island Earth Day Festival! We’re bringing you a family-friendly, interactive day of fun to welcome warmer weather & seasonal blooms.
Free!
Earth Month Convergence, Day 2
at Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
The 4th annual Earth Month Convergence (EMC) lands in Queens! We are pleased to partner with Start:Empowerment and their co-host Dandelions Assembly for a space to build, strategize, and care for one another and the earth in the face of escalating crises.
Free!
Event
Sowing Seeds of Beauty at Amboy Street Community Garden
at Amboy Street Garden, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Lend a hand to Amboy Street Garden this spring! Volunteers will help the gardeners start seeds, clean up, and organize the tool shed.
Free!
Spring Festival
at Entrance - West 171 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and Council Member Carmen De La Rosa for a day of celebration. Spring is here and we are bringing all our activities outside to enjoy nature!
Free!
Kids
City Nature Challenge Bio Blitz
at Entrance - West 231st Street and Riverdale Avenue (in Ewen Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25-28
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25 -April 28
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.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Forest Park
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way.
Free!
4/27 Earth Day: Clean Up the Queensway
at Trotting Course Lane (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come together with NYC Parks and Trust for Public Land on April 27th to celebrate Earth Day with a clean up on the QueensWay trail!
Free!
City Nature Challenge Bird Blitz
at Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn 

10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25-28
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Ecology Park Bio Blitz and Cleanup
at Bergen Avenue b/w Avenue T & Cove Lane
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks staff in sprucing up Ecology Park followed by a tour of the unique ecosystems
Free!
Event
Mushroom ID Hike
at 210th St Playground on 73rd Ave (in Cunningham Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
This Urban Park Ranger led hike will take you through the forest to learn how to identify fungi.
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!
City Nature Challenge Bio Blitz
at Playground for All Children (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25-28
Free!
City Nature Challenge Wildflower ID
at Winchester Boulevard, under Grand Central Parkway (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 25-28
Free!
Event
City Nature Challenge: Great Trees of Madison Square Park
at Southern End (in Madison Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Officially recognized as a Level 2 arboretum by the Arboretum Accreditation Program, this small park is home to over 300 trees!
Free!
Event
Lets Help Our Street Trees Get Nutrients
at Jardin la Roca, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to pruning fruit trees inside the garden, care for our street trees, and help with the growing season by building more raise beds in the garden.
Free!
Public Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
, Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday. Each walk varies with the Guide leading it.
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.
Wildflowers, Pollinators, & Soil Basics
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 

1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to track the wildflowers of spring partnered with a demonstration of soil textures.
Free!
Celebrate Spring through Dance
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
The wonder of spring renewal is seen in the beauty of the salt marsh and other natural environments. The season inspires music and dance; presented by the Brooklyn Dance Ensemble.
Free!
Event
Monday, April 28, 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.
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, April 29, 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.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Citywide Nursery Gardening
at Arthur Ross Nursery Parking Lot, Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Stewardship Team at the Citywide Nursery for a hands-on gardening experience where you’ll help pot up perennials into larger grow pots and maintain our plant hoop houses.
Free!
Woodlawn Wednesdays Forest Restoration at 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!
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, May 1, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (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.
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.
Friday, May 2, 2025
5/2 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 spring!
Free!