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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
Friday, May 2, 2025
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!
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
Modern Parks: Wetlands of New York City
at Entrance - Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue (in Hunter's Point South Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in a hike along the beautiful shore of Hunter’s Point South Park with a perfect NYC skyline view!
Free!
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Riverkeeper Sweep
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join hundreds of others throughout the Hudson River watershed to help keep our shoreline free of marine plastics and refuse at the annual Riverkeeper Sweep.
Free!
Event
5/3 Forest Park Native Tree and Shrub Planting
at Buddy Monument (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust in the field!
Free!
Birding: Nests and Baby Birds Exploration
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun and informative walk through Van Cortlandt Park to learn all about nests, baby birds, and unique spring-time animal behaviors!
Free!
Cross Country Course Volunteer Days
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
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!
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.
Visit a Billion Oyster Project research station on the Baylander’s jungle deck.
Free!
Herbal Medicine Workshop: Roots & Remedies
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a journey into the world of herbal medicine amidst the vibrant setting of our Urban Farm at Randall’s Island 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.
Kids
Reopening of the Joe Holzka Community Garden
at Joe Holzka Community Garden, Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Help celebrate the reopening of the garden and the new patio built by Project Evergreen. Join us for
a day of outdoor activities and demonstrations. All are welcome!
Free!
Family Camping: Staten Island
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
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 April 23.
Free!
Insect Exploration: Insects of the Night
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
8:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Rangers will show you how to attract and identify the diverse menagerie of friendly nocturnal insects that fill the night skies of your local park
Free!
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Birding: Warbler Watch
at The Overlook (in Forest Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Forest Park to look for spring warblers and more!
Free!
Intro to Birding Walk
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Learn how to use binoculars and spot the fascinating birds that live in Marine Park's salt marsh together with an expert from NYC Bird Alliance. Families are welcome. Meet outside the Salt Marsh Nature Center entrance.
Free!
Greenbelt Hike (Vigorous)
at Forest Hill Road and Alaska Place (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of the Greenbelt on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
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!
Kids
Birding: Spring Migration
at West 81st Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Central Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
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.
Kids
Monday, May 5, 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
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, May 6, 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
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
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!
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!
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
Tree Identification: Buds, Blooms And Leaves With Will Thomson
at Entrance - East 79th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Sharpen your tree identification skills and focus on emerging leaves, breaking buds, and seasonal flowers.
Free!
Thursday, May 8, 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.
Kids
Friday, May 9, 2025
Pelham Bay Park Forest Restoration
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
5/9 Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Strack Pond (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Restoration Fridays this spring!
Free!
Bush Terminal Park Wetland Cleanup with The Billion Oyster Project
at 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 and...
Free!
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!
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
Summer on the Hudson: Birding Walk
at 120th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Explore Riverside Park on a family-friendly bird walk in partnership with NYC Bird Alliance.
Free!
Event
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!
Event
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Intro to Birding Walk
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Learn how to use binoculars and spot the fascinating birds that live in Marine Park's salt marsh together with an expert from NYC Bird Alliance. Families are welcome.
Free!
Event
Bird Bonanza
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Fly over to Randall’s Island Park to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at our annual Bird Bonanza!
Free!
Kids
Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration
at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (in 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!
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!
Summer on the Hudson: Nature Explorers - Leaf Printing Workshop
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
A Community Composting Event
at Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Highlighted by a special monthly theme, every 2nd Saturday of the month from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., come learn how to process organic material in a thermophilic composting system.
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
Fragile Beauties
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about native butterfly and moth species and how they contribute to the diversity of Marine Park
Free!
Make Mother's Day cards with Flower Petals
at LaGuardia Corner Community Garden, Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Come to LaGuardia Corner Community Garden and make your own Mother's Day cards with pretty pressed flowers! Everybody is welcome. All materials will be provided.
Free!
Kids
Summer on the Hudson: Star Gaze
at Pier I (in Riverside Park South), Manhattan
8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Expert stargazers from the Amateur Astronomers Association help us observe stars and planets.
Free!
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