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
Wednesday, December 3, 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!
Thursday, December 4, 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!
World Wildlife Conservation Day Bingo
at Oak Ridge (in Forest Park), Queens
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Learn about Earth’s endangered species by enjoying a game of bingo. Understand the impacts on ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts. Prizes will be given.
Free!
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Ecology Park Restoration and Tour
at Ecology Park, Brooklyn
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. The event will include a tour of the park.
Free!
Team RIVER Saturdays
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteers will work in different areas of the park to clean and beautify this important community resource.
Free!
Sunday, December 7, 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!
Discovery Hike: Animal Adaptations
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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!
Wednesday, December 10, 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!
Thursday, December 11, 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, December 13, 2025
Team RIVER Saturdays
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteers will work in different areas of the park to clean and beautify this important community resource.
Free!
Birding: Christmas Bird Count
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for this annual community science project counting and identifying birds while we hike in the park.
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to witness the harbor seals in their natural habitat off the shore of Orchard Beach and learn about these incredible marine mammals and their fascinating be
Free!
Winter Wonderland Hike
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a brisk nature walk in winter where we will look for and learn about the local flora and fauna that call Inwood Hill Park home.
Free!
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Christmas Bird Count
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
The 126th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count—the nation’s longest-running Community-Science bird project—will soon be underway nationwide, and in all five boroughs of New York City.
Free!
Christmas Bird Count-Highland Park
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens 
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the nation’s longest running community science project and help collect data for the Christmas Bird Count in Queens.
Free!
Thursday, December 18, 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, December 20, 2025
Hibernation Hike
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks, reptiles and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Kids
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Winter Wildlife Hike
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to discover the wildlife of NYC Parks and how they are toughing through the winter months.
Free!
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Birding: All About Crows
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn more about crows, a highly intelligent and sociable bird species.
Free!
Nature Meditation Walk
at Shore Parkway and Rabbi Block Street (in Calvert Vaux Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a meditative walk through Calvert Vaux Park. Unwind from the hustle and bustle of New York City and reflect on the quiet and restful mode of winter.
Free!
Monday, December 29, 2025
Kids Week: Natural Dyes
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in using naturally sourced materials to tie-dye! Bring your own white cotton clothing and create your own work of art.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Seal Exploration for Kids
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk along the beach in search for seals! We will use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach, and learn about this magnificent marine animal.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Meet the Nature Center Critters
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Even when school's out, our parks are still the city's natural classroom! From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Kids Week: All About Owls Hike and Craft
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about many species of owls that you can find on Staten Island. End the afternoon with an owl nature craft. Registration is required. Registration opens Monday Dec 22.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: 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, December 31, 2025
Kids Week: Winter Scavenger Hunt
at Wilson Avenue and Weirfield Street (in Irving Square Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a scavenger hunt! Search high and low for the natural wonders hiding just under your nose.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn what it takes to survive the winter elements. Team up with your family and bond over these team building activities.
Free!
Kids
Friday, January 2, 2026
Kids Week: Animal Charades
at De Matti Playground (in De Matti Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about our local wildlife, by acting out some of our favorite animals and their adaptations to living in New York City!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Oh Deer! Deer Exploration Hike
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Oh deer! Learn more about this majestic species and explore the park in search of signs and traces of its presence.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn basic outdoor skills such as shelter building, fire making and survival skills.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Fireside Meditation
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers at Clove Lakes Park for an afternoon of guided mediative exercises beside the warmth of a crackling fire.
Free!
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.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!
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Birding: Owls and Owl Pellet Discovery
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls and dissect their pellets to see what they eat. You will be surprised by your discovery.
Free!
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Wildlife Viewing: City Squirrels
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Learn all about squirrels in New York City and how they play an important role in our parks.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens 
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Free!
Winter Shoreline Wildlife Watch
at Sharrott Avenue and Hylan Boulevard (in Lemon Creek Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Raritan Bay features many species of winter waterfowl and seals can often be seen basking nearby. We will use binoculars and spotting scopes along the beach to view wildlife.
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Facing Climate Change as Urban Gardeners: Climate In Winter
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Together, we’ll explore how climate change is impacting New York City and beyond through informed, educational dialogues with experts and local leaders.
Free!
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.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!
Winter Sensory Perception Hike
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Explore the sights, sounds, smells and feel of winter on this exploratory hike. Connect with nature in fun and new ways while learning more about the season.
Free!
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Facing Climate Change as Urban Gardeners: Climate Impacting Pollinators
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. Together, we’ll explore how climate change is affecting New York City and beyond through engaging, educational dialogues with experts and local leaders.
Free!



