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AccessibilityWildlife
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
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Hudson River Park's Big City Fishing
at Hudson River Park's Pier 51, Manhattan 
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
This summer, join us to make a fish wish—you might just get a bite! Over 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson River, including over 85 species in HRPK’s Estuarine Sanctuary waters.
Free!
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Birding: Beginner Birding
at 165th Street and Edgecombe Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn a new skill and take up a new hobby as we help you identify some of the most common birds found in our parks.
Free!
Event
Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday.
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!
Event
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!
Wetland Wednesdays
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Drop in to explore the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh during Wetland Wednesdays!
Free!
Kids
Thursday, July 10, 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!
Prospect Park Zoo Field Trip
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Thursday afternoon for a wild trip to the Prospect Park Zoo!
Free!
Kids
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!
Bats of the Bronx
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Discover the hidden world of bats living right in your own backyard or local green space!
Event
Wild at Night: Evening Nature Encounters
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
After the sun sets, Wave Hill belongs to the creatures of the night. Bats, fireflies, and more emerge from their daytime slumber to animate the grounds far from human eyes and ears.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
City of Water Day Vernam Barbadoes Coastal Cleanup and Tour
at Park entrance at the end of Amstel Blvd. (in Vernam Barbadoes Peninsula), Queens
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Help us protect Vernam Barbaodes in celebration of City of Water Day! At 1:00 PM, we will shift to a tour and tell you how you can support the conservation of rare NYC plants.
Free!
Event
Cross Country Course Volunteer Days
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
City of Water Day
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us at Randall’s Island Park for a fun-filled afternoon of kayaking and salt marsh exploration!
Free!
Event
Hudson River Park's Big City Fishing
at Hudson River Park's Pier 51, Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
This summer, join us to make a fish wish—you might just get a bite! Over 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson River, including over 85 species in HRPK’s Estuarine Sanctuary waters.
Free!
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
Summer Birding
at Wave Hill, Bronx
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Walk through the gardens and woodlands to seek out summer birds and other critters at Wave Hill!
All About Foxes
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn all about the very resourceful and elusive Red Fox. We might even see one if we're lucky.
Free!
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!
Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday.
Free!
Wednesday, July 16, 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, July 17, 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!
Prospect Park Zoo Field Trip
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Thursday afternoon for a wild trip to the Prospect Park Zoo!
Free!
Kids
Friday, July 18, 2025
Life Among the Raptors
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Gain a deeper appreciation for these incredible birds, the hard work involved in protecting them, and how we can all contribute to their conservation.
Wild at Night: Evening Nature Encounters
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
After the sun sets, Wave Hill belongs to the creatures of the night. Bats, fireflies, and more emerge from their daytime slumber to animate the grounds far from human eyes and ears.
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Birding: Summer Birds
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Learn a new skill and take up a new hobby as we help you identify some of the most common colorful birds found in our parks during the summer.
Free!
Community Work Day
at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Stop by the Wyckoff Urban Farm on the third Saturday of the month to learn about what we're growing, get to know our farmers, and get your hands dirty with farm projects!
Free!
Farmhouse Family Day: Creative Critters
at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Create different bug themed crafts and meet some of our worms from our worm bin that help with our composting, go on a scavenger hunt to find rollie pollies and more!
Free!
Kids
Hudson River Park's Big City Fishing
at Hudson River Park's Pier 51, Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
This summer, join us to make a fish wish—you might just get a bite! Over 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson River, including over 85 species in HRPK’s Estuarine Sanctuary waters.
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.
Come see and learn about the Billion Oyster Project on the Baylander’s Jungle Deck.
Free!
Waterfront Festival
at East River Picnic Area (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
At the peak of summer, we’re bringing you a family-friendly, interactive day of fun centering water as a natural and refreshing resource.
Free!
Kids
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday.
Free!
Nature Exploration: The North Woods
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. Join the Rangers on a nature walk into the North Woods of Central Park.
Free!
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
CANCELLED: 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, July 24, 2025
Prospect Park Zoo Field Trip
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Thursday afternoon for a wild trip to the Prospect Park Zoo!
Free!
Kids
Friday, July 25, 2025
Hanging with the Herps
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Environmental educators from Tenafly Nature Center highlight the characteristics that distinguish reptiles from amphibians using animal ambassadors as living examples.
Wild at Night: Evening Nature Encounters
at Wave Hill, Bronx
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
After the sun sets, Wave Hill belongs to the creatures of the night. Bats, fireflies, and more emerge from their daytime slumber to animate the grounds far from human eyes and ears.
Saturday, July 26, 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!
Event
Hudson River Park's Big City Fishing
at Hudson River Park's Pier 51, Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
This summer, join us to make a fish wish—you might just get a bite! Over 200 species of fish are found in the Hudson River, including over 85 species in HRPK’s Estuarine Sanctuary waters.
Free!
Ranger Games
at Playground West - Play Area (in St. Mary's Park), Bronx
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 themed games.
Free!
Kids
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Birding: All About Pigeons
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Pigeons are among some of the most abundant species of birds in our city. Learn more about what makes these birds so unique and interesting.
Free!
Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday.
Free!
Wednesday, July 30, 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!
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