Wildlife
Meet and learn about NYC's wildlife neighbors, from the fish and crabs of our waters to the hawks and eagles of our skies. Our expert Urban Park Rangers, Parks Wildlife Unit, and our partners and friends lead wildlife-viewing tours and lectures all across the New York City. Join us! To learn more about NYC's wildlife and what to do when encountering wildlife, please visit our Urban Wildlife page.
Wildlife Events
Sunday, May 18, 2025
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!
Documenting Urban Nature in support of Wild NYC
at Wave Hill, Bronx 

4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Come join us for an introduction to thinking about New York City as nature—and how to document it.
Free!
Event
Wednesday, May 21, 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!
Thursday, May 22, 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!
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Community Science: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening on the shore engaging in a community science project as we collect scientific data on horseshoe crabs.
Free!
Sunday, May 25, 2025
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!
Monday, May 26, 2025
Community Science: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening on the shore engaging in a community science project as we collect scientific data on horseshoe crabs.
Free!
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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!
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Riverside Park Birding Club
at 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan 

9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Monthly walks through birding hotspots in Riverside Park, led by Riverside Park Conservancy Field Staff.
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Uptown Birding Walks
at West 157th Street and Broadway, Manhattan, NY
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Explore Fort Washington Park on family-friendly birding tours suitable for all ages. Celebrate Black Birders Week in May, and observe the fall migration in October!
Free!
Nature Exploration: The Northwest Woods
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a nature walk into the Northwest Woods of Van Cortlandt Park to learn about the ecology and wildlife that inhabits this magical woodlands habitat.
Free!
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Birding: Fascinating Feathers
at Hanover Avenue and Palma Drive (in Eibs Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Rangers will lead a hike that will highlight the unique adaptations that birds have developed for flight, insulation, camouflage, and display.
Free!
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
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!
Saturday, June 7, 2025
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!
Summer on the Hudson: World Fish Migration Day
at 172nd Street Beach (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Wade into the Hudson River to collect and count species of fish in partnership with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.
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!
Sunday, June 8, 2025
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!
Wednesday, June 11, 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 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!
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
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!
Saturday, June 21, 2025
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.
Come see and learn about the Billion Oyster Project on the Baylander’s Jungle Deck.
Free!
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
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!
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Riverside Park Birding Club
at 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan 

9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Monthly walks through birding hotspots in Riverside Park, led by Riverside Park Conservancy Field Staff.
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Hudson River Fishing Clinic
at West Harlem Piers Park, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Free Fishing Weekend with a catch and- release fishing session in partnership with the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association. Gear provided.
Free!
Wednesday, July 2, 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!
Saturday, July 5, 2025
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!
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Angling for Fish
at Gerritsen Beach (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Marine Park Alliance and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation to learn to fish, with rods and reels provided for your use!
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
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!
Friday, July 11, 2025
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!
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Summer on the Hudson: City of Water Day
at 172nd Street Beach (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan
12:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Educators from Hudson River Sloop Clearwater lead an interactive seining event. Learn about our watery neighbors and the health of the Hudson River estuary.
Free!
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Just for Kids: Uncle Tony's Reptile Show
at Playground 278 (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrating the Year of the Snake by meeting snakes and other reptiles up close and personal with Uncle Tony.
Free!
Event
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!
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
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!