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
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firemaking
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
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!
Birding: All About Woodpeckers
at Yellow Trail Head (in Forest Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they guide you through the trails of Forest Park while highlighting the signs and tracks of woodpeckers.
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.
Monday, February 9, 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!
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
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!
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
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!
Monthly Nature Exploration Hike Series
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a monthly hike exploring Inwood Hill Park. This month's hike will be a geology walk.
Free!
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
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!
Community Ecology Reading Group
at Solar One Environmental Education Center at Stuyvesant Cove Park
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Bring a book, article, podcast, or film related to this season’s theme—Death—and share a favorite quote or snippet! Join Solar One to reflect, explore ideas with others, and contribute to our evolving Ecological Reading List.
Free!
Friday, February 13, 2026
Ecology Park Wetlands Restoration
at Ecology Park, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!
Turtle Bay Street Tree Care with Super Stewards
at 49th Street & 3rd Avenue (in Bryant Park), Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship and your friendly neighborhood Super Stewards to care for local street trees!
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, February 14, 2026
Birding: You've Gotta Love Birds
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx 
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn about mating and courtship behaviors of our feathered friends at Pelham Bay Park during this season of love!
Free!
Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration
at Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Seton Falls Forest Restoration
at Seton Falls Park, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
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!
Winter Composting with Big Reuse
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the NYC Compost Project with Big Reuse as we manage the 5-bin compost system at Randall’s Island Urban Farm!
Free!
Valentines Day Love in Nature Hike
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in learning about the courtship habits of our local wildlife while taking a scenic stroll on the nature trails of Blue Heron Park.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Discover your inner tree detective at this winter workshop! Delve into the art of identifying trees through their distinctive branching patterns, unique bud styles, and bark textures. Learn about notable trees like Acer (maple) and Quercus (oak) in the heart of New York City, even when they're leafless. This workshop is ideal for gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike, with no prior tree identification experience required.
Free!
Birding: You Gotta Love Birds
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn about courtship rituals, nest-building, parenting and other things birds do to attract and keep their mates.
Free!
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.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!
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.
Love in Nature Hike
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in learning about the courtship and parenting habits of our local wildlife while taking a scenic stroll on the nature trails of Central Park
Free!
Monday, February 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!
Kids Week: Kindness Rocks!!
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we learn more about local geology while we participate in the Kindness Rocks Project.
Free!
Kids
Volunteer Workday: Citizens for a Better Community Garden
at Citizens for a Better Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a hands-on volunteer day to help prepare the garden for the upcoming season.
Free!
Kids Week: Tree Tunes
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an exploration of the soundtrack of the natural world.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Gather Around the Campfire
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Meet the Critters
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
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
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
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!
Kids Week: Year of the Horse...Of Course
at Ocean Breeze Pier, Seaview Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard (in Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and Parks Enforcement Patrol Mounted Unit as they celebrate Lunar New Year. It is the year of the horse.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Campfire Story Time
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a cozy campfire and story telling session. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Lunar New Year Celebration
at Bowne Park Field House (in Bowne Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in celebrating the year of the horse with crafts and activities
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Birding for Kids
at West 90th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Bird watching can be fun, especially during the winter season. Learn all about different ways to identify birds in our parks.
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
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!
Nature Walk and Quill Writing for Kids & Families at Conference House Park
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks, the Urban Park Rangers, and the Friends of the Biddle House for a nature walk along our trails and beach, followed by a quill writing art activity!
Free!
Kids Week: Build A Birdfeeder
at Play Area (in Grover Cleveland Playground), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Make your own bird feeder with the Rangers. Make your own feeder and watch as your yard becomes the pit stop on the birds’ journeys around the city.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Build a Nature Birdfeeder
at Bowling Green Cottage (in Parade Ground), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about winter birds in your neighborhood and what they like to eat. Build your very own bird feeder from recycled materials.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Wigwam Gathering and Campfire
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Explore and enter our recently restored Lenape wigwam and enjoy an afternoon by a warm campfire. Learn how to use a bow drill and other methods to start a fire.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Wonderland Bingo
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we search to fill our bingo cards with sights and sounds of the season! We will use our senses to explore the local flora and fauna.
Free!
Kids
Senior Citizen Community Day
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the Inwood Hill Nature Center and build community. This month's Senior Citizen Community Day will be an indoor gardening day.
Free!
Facing Climate Change as Urban Gardeners: Climate Impact on Winter-Growing Houseplants
at Virtual/Online Workshop
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Join us for a monthly series of peer-to-peer conversations presented by GreenThumb and NYRP, focusing on the urgent issue of climate change.
Free!
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!




