Translate
AccessibilityNature
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
Thursday, February 19, 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: Ranger Games
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Eco Improv
at Multi-Use Room A (in Red Hook Recreation Center), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Create creature characters and acting out ecosystem and habitat interactions
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Exploration for Kids
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn all the nature that surrounds us on this walk through Central Park.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun nature scavenger hunt!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun nature scavenger hunt!
Free!
Kids
Friday, February 20, 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: Hibernation Staycation
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Animals are going to sleep for the winter--- gather around the fire and hear their stories. Where do they go? How do they stay warm? Bring your curiosity and find out
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Sketching
at Outdoors at Faber Park Recreation Center (in Faber Park Recreation Center), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Find your artistic inspiration with the Rangers as we delve into the sights and sounds of nature!Join us for a stroll around the park, stopping along the way to sketch what speaks to us
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Urban Wildlife
at Lawn Area (in Gorman Playground), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Learn about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s parks.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Nature Crafts
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let the winter season inspire you as we create crafts from things found in nature.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Cunningham Park Forest Restoration
at Cunningham Park, Queens
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!
Pelham Bay Park Super Steward: Pathkeeper Training
at Middletown Road and Stadium Avenue (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us for a Super Steward: Pathkeeper training at Pelham Bay Park.
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!
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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!
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Advanced Winter Tree ID
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Trees have a special place in our environment. Join us for a hike of Forest Park and take a deeper dive into learning the intricacies of winter tree identification.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Winter is a great time to learn more about our migratory duck species! Join the Rangers on a walk around Orchard Beach Boardwalk to explore the unusual world of winter waterfowl!
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.
Indoor Gardening 101
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Calling all green (or not so green) thumbs! We’ll go over the basics of plant care and propagation, and how to start and maintain an indoor garden.
Free!
Winter Insect Scavenger Hunt
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Take advantage of the unique opportunity that winter provides to learn about bugs while they’re inactive.
Free!
Kids
Birding: Owls
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Discover how owls have adapted to thriving in the nocturnal environment. This program is sure to be a hoot!
Free!
Monday, February 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!
Tuesday, February 24, 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 25, 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!
Ranger Tot Time
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of kid friendly activities and exploring the Inwood Hill Nature Center.
Free!
Thursday, February 26, 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!
Friday, February 27, 2026
Canarsie Park Forest Restoration
at Canarsie 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!
Kissena Park Forest Restoration
at Kissena Park, Queens
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!
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Conference House Park Forest Restoration
at Conference House Park, Staten Island
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!
Family Art Project: Sounds of Nature
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Let’s make music! A breeze through the trees, the hoot of an owl, rain falling on a pond, the natural world is full of beautiful sounds.
Kids
Greenpoint Street Tree Care with Super Stewards
at Russell Street & Driggs Ave (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
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!
Kissena Corridor Park Debris Removal
at Kissena Park, Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will help us remove the debris from the park creating a healthier ecosystem.
Free!
Marine Park Super Steward: Pathkeeper Training
at Seba Playground (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us for a Super Steward: Pathkeeper training at Marine Park.
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!
West Harlem Street Tree Care with Super Stewards
at W151st & Broadway
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship and your friendly neighborhood Super Steward to care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees.
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!
Metaverse Scavenger Hunt
at Playground (in Bloomingdale Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a nature scavenger hunt inspired by the popular mobile game application "Pokemon Go". See how many of these can be found where the metaverse meets nature
Free!
Kids
Spring Cleaning Eco-Fair
at Carmine Carro Community Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join MPA for free tool sharpening, composting demonstrations, book giveaways, and leaf bag distribution (while supplies last), along with other fun, educational activities.
Free!
Event
Historic New York: Weeksville
at South Pacific Playground, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Learn about the African American heritage of the Weeksville, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firemaking
at Juniper North Playground (in Juniper Valley Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
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, March 1, 2026
Family Art Project: Sounds of Nature
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Let’s make music! A breeze through the trees, the hoot of an owl, rain falling on a pond, the natural world is full of beautiful sounds.
Kids
Winter Reflection Campfire
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Commemorate the closing of winter with a cozy seasonal writing workshop with the Urban Park Rangers. Gather around the fire as we read nature-inspired pieces and work on our own writing
Free!
%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B%2B__utmv%3D33438525.-%3B)