This post is going to be the single list for all NYC CNC events. From now on, I'll update this post if anything changes, so you can bookmark the link to this post and always be able to see our most current event list. If you want to shortened link to share, use: https://tinyurl.com/nyc2023events

These events are all FREE and open to the public, but some do have limited space and require registration ahead of time. The registration links are provided below. Thank you to all of our great partner organizations for hosting these events! Let's go NYC!

If you're looking for some tips on getting started, we recorded our 4/19 webinar and posted it to YouTube here.

SUNDAY CANCELLATIONS & RESCHEDULED EVENTS:

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy event is cancelled, but visit the Education Center for info about CNC

Billion Oyster Project ORS BioBlitzes @ Brooklyn Bridge Park and Domino Park are cancelled.

LESEC BioBlitz @ Seward Park has been rescheduled for Monday 5pm.

Partnership for Parks - City Nature Challenge at Henry Hudson Park rescheduled for May 6.

UPDATE 4/20/23: Virtual ID party for Monday added
UPDATE 4/29/23: A few new Sunday NYC Parks events added.
UPDATE 4/27/23: Virtual ID parties added on 5/2 and 5/3.
UPDATE 4/26/23: Added details and registration links for NYC H20 Ridgewood Reservoir event (4/29), Manhattan Land Trust Community Garden event (4/30) and Torrey Botanical events at Pelham Bay Park (4/29) and Bronx Park (4/30). Time correction for Prospect Park event (4/29).

Friday, April 28

We have one event scheduled below for today, so here are two observation ideas for inspiration:

1. Make five observations on your lunch break, share them to iNat, and then post them to social media with #5onFri and #citynaturechallenge to see what everyone else found at lunch.

2. April 28 is Arbor Day. Observe your favorite trees!

RESCHEDULED: City Nature Challenge on Governors Island - Wildlife Walk
Date: April 28, 2023
Time: 1p-2p
Host: Friends of Governors Island, The Trust for Governors Island, The Bee Conservancy
Location: Visitors Center at Soissons Landing
Description: This walk was originally scheduled for Saturday. If you already registered, see your email from Eventbrite. Leo Frampton, gardener at the Trust for Governors Island and Dr. Amy Berkhov, insect ecologist at City College, will lead a tour through Hammock Grove, the urban forest central to the Island.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

Saturday, April 29

BRONX

RESCHEDULED for after CNC: City Nature Challenge at Henry Hudson Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 9a-12p
Host: Partnership for Parks & Stewards of Henry Hudson Park
Location: Henry Hudson Park. Meet at The Monument - Enter W227 + Independence Ave
Description: Due to strong winds, this event has been rescheduled for May 6.

Torrey Botanical Society Field Trip: Hunter Island at Pelham Bay Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10:30a-1p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: Pelham Bay Park, Orchard Beach parking lot
Description: Hunter Island is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the city. We will see the amazing variety of native wildflowers, migrating birds in the spring, geology, and scenic views on Hunter Island. Make sure you dress properly for the weather and the risk of ticks as deer are abundant in this part of the Bronx. We will occasionally traverse difficult terrains such as rocky shoreline and brushy thickets. The trip will be led by Zihao Wang and last around 2h30 between 10:30am and 1pm, please come prepared with lunch/snacks, water, insect repellent, sun protection as well as hand lens and binoculars.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

City Nature Challenge Bio Blitz at Van Cortlandt Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 1p-2p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Van Cortlandt Park. Meet at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

BROOKLYN

City Nature Challenge at Prospect Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10a-12p
Host: Prospect Park Alliance
Location: Prospect Park. Meet at the Audubon Center.
Description: Join us for a BioBlitz at Prospect Park!
Registration: None needed. For more info, visit: https://www.prospectpark.org/news-events/events/city-nature-challenge-2023/

CANCELLED: City Nature Challenge ORS BioBlitz at Erie Basin Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Erie Basin Park. Register for more info.
Description: Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled due to the weather.

MANHATTAN

CANCELLED: City Nature Challenge ORS BioBlitz at Governor's Island
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Governor's Island. Register for more info.
Description:Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled due to the weather.

City Nature Challenge ORS BioBlitz at Pier 79, NY WaterWays Ferry Terminal
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Pier 79. Register for more info.
Description:The Billion Oyster Project will be hosting events at sites across New York City to assist the public in observing and documenting biodiversity from our oyster research station cages. In order to participate, register for one of BOP's FREE events on Eventbrite (link below). Be sure to download iNaturalist, then meet us in the field any time between 10 am and 2 pm. BOP will have all the supplies you need to observe, handle and document creatures found in the oyster cages.
Registration: via eventbrite.

CANCELLED: City Nature Challenge ORS BioBlitz at E 90th St. Ferry Terminal
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: E 90th St Ferry Terminal.
Description: Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled.

CANCELLED: City Nature Challenge on Governors Island
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Friends of Governors Island, The Trust for Governors Island, The Bee Conservancy
Location: Visitors Center at Soissons Landing
Description: Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled due to the high likelihood of rain. The nature walk has been rescheduled for Friday afternoon. See above.

City Nature Challenge Biodiversity Hike at Inwood Hill Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 11a-12p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Inwood Hill Park. Meet at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

QUEENS

City Nature Challenge 2023 at Ridgewood Reservoir
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 8a-9:30a, 10a-11:30a, 12p-1:30p
Host: NYC H20
Location: Ridgewood Reservoir at Highland Park. 58-2 Vermont Place, Glendale, NY
Description: Ridgewood Reservoir is a 50-acre natural gem on the border of Brooklyn and Queens reportedly home to over 150 species of birds and 170 species of plants. NYC H2O is hosting three guided nature walks at Ridgewood Reservoir on Saturday 4/29 for the City Nature Challenge to make as many species observations as possible! Join us for a tour of birds at 8am, herbs and wildflowers at 10am, and trees at 12pm. Registration for each walk is free via the Eventbrite link.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 30

BRONX

City Nature Challenge at Ewen Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 9a-12p
Host: Stewards of Ewen Park & Partnership for Parks
Location: Ewen Park. Meet at The Dog Run - Enter W 231st St.
Description: Join us outdoors for our first City Nature Festival at Ewen Park for a morning of outdoor activities highlighting simple ways to support our community and our planet. This year Partnerships for Parks and the Stewards of Ewen Park are excited to present a mix of family-friendly drop-in and scheduled activities in collaboration with community partners.
Registration: None needed.

Torrey Botanical Society Field Trip: Bronx Park North
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 11a-2p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: Bronx Park
Description: Bronx Park is best known for containing the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden, but there is an additional northern portion which is maintained by NYC Parks and open to the public. This area, which is a designated Forever Wild preserve, is one of the few remaining natural streamside landscapes in the city. Some portions are inundated by invasives, but there are also many interesting and beautiful native herbs, trees, and shrubs to be found. We will meet at the park entrance at E 204th Street (40.87057, -73.87618) and make our way along both sides of the river. The trip will be led by Lydia Paradiso. Make sure to wear sturdy, waterproof shoes, and bring lunch/snacks. Extra hand lens will be available to borrow. This field trip will be held during the City Nature Challenge, so we encourage you to bring your smart phones or cameras to document the life we see during our trip, and contribute your observations to the total NYC count!
Registration: via Eventbrite.

City Nature Challenge BioBlitz at Crotona Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 11a-12p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Crotona Park. Meet at Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

Wildflower ID and Seed Bomb Hike
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 1p-2p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Broadway and Mosholu Avenue in Van Cortlandt Park
Description: On this hike, you will be given the opportunity to learn how to identify wild flowers while learning how to spread them further into our neighborhoods. and parks The rangers will provide all materials needed to assemble your own seed bomb to use along the hike. We will also collect data for the City Nature Challenge.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

BROOKLYN

City Nature Challenge: Family Fun with Genspace
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 10a-1p
Host: Green-Wood Cemetery & Genspace
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery. Find the event “home base” at Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel. More info at the registration link.
Description: Green-Wood is a great place to get out and explore nature! Join Green-Wood, Genspace educators, and expert naturalist guides for an adventurous morning of family activities that help us better understand our environment. Expert naturalists will be on-site to help participants collect data on birds, insects, fungi, and plants at Green-Wood for the City Nature Challenge. Genspace educators will help kids and their adults explore nature up-close at microscopy activity stations. There will also be an interactive experience about the future of trees at Green-Wood led by Clarinda Mac Low and Carolyn Hall, Genspace creative programs coordinators and the creators of Sunk Shore.
Registration: Recommended, but not required, at this link.

CANCELLED: City Nature Challenge ORS BioBlitz at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Billion Oyster Project and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park. Meet at the Pier 5.
Description:This event is cancelled due to the weather. However, there will still be public open hours at our Environmental Education Center 1-5pm where in addition to all our normal room exhibits and activities, people can drop by if they wanted to learn more about CNC and get a tutorial. They will give out cute animal buttons to anyone that shows us their successful photo uploads to iNaturalist, kid scavenger hunts for anyone daring to get wet. Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Environmental Education Center is a 99 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Registration: None needed. Find out more here.

CANCELLED: City Nature Challenge ORS BioBlitz at Domino Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 10a-2p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Domino Park.
Description:This event has been cancelled due to the weather.

City Nature Challenge Bed-Stuy Community Science
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Herbert Von King Park. Meet at the Lawn Area.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

MANHATTAN

Manhattan Land Trust and 6BC Botanical Community Garden Tour
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 12p-4p
Host: Manhattan Land Trust
Location: Parque de Tranquilidad, Lower East Side People Care, Albert's Garden, All Peoples Garden (Corner of East Broadway and Rutgers Street outside East Broadway F subway station. Will walk 1 block to Lower East Side People Care Garden at 23 Rutgers Street (between Henry St and Madison St))
Description: Join us for tours and iNat observation making in Lower Manhattan Community Gardens! We will walk approximately 2 miles total between gardens.
Registration: via Google Form.

Tree Wonder Washington Square Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Washington Square Park EcoProjects
Location: Washington Square Park. Meet at the northwest corner.
Description: On Sundays, there is a collaborative tree drawing workshop where folks draw the old English Elm. Participants will then make observations in the northwest corner of the park.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

City Nature Challenge Tree ID Hike
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Central Park. Meet at the entrance at West 100 Street and Central Park West.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

QUEENS

City Nature Challenge Biodiversity Hike at FMCP
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Meet at Mauro Playground
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

City Nature Challenge Alley Pond Park Hike
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Course parking lot
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Alley Pond Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Required at here.

City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Forest Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South in Forest Park
Queens
Description: Join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Forest Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and how to make iNaturalist observations. Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. Please bring water and a snack, as well as your smartphone or camera! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: Required at here. This program is full, but you can sign up for the waiting list.

STATEN ISLAND

City Nature Challenge Biodiversity Naturalist Hike at Brookfield Park
Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Brookfield Park. Meet at Arthur Kill Rd. and Brookfield Avenue.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as they walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. More info here.

Monday, May 1

MANHATTAN

RESCHEDULED: City Nature Challenge Bioblitz: Seward Park
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 5p-6:30p
Host: Lower East Side Ecology Center
Location: Seward Park Library. Register for more info.
Description: Join the Lower East Side Ecology Center to document species in LESEC's very own Seward Park! Bring your smartphone and we recommend downloading iNaturalist ahead of the event. Don't worry if you aren't tech savvy - we'll have plenty of support to show you how to use the app and to help troubleshoot any issues.
Registration: via eventbrite.

Virutal ID Parties for CNC Identification Period (ends May 8 @ 9am local time)

City Nature Challenge ID Party with the Torrey Botanical Society
Date: May 1, 2023
Time: 6:30p–8:30p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society and the New York Mycological Society
Location: Zoom
Description: The second part of the City Nature Challenge is the identification phase. The final city totals are not calculated until May 7, so users have until then to identify the thousands of observations made over the weekend! Grab your computer and your favorite drink, and join us for our ID Party on Monday evening. We will talk about identification techniques and tips for plants and fungi, and some identification features available on iNaturalist. Then we will explore the observations made over the weekend, and add identifications. No expertise is necessary—if you can tell a plant apart from a fungus or an animal, you will be able to contribute!
Registration:None needed. This is a direct link to the Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89652328280?pwd=ajkyTnZPRklSTzN2WEgwUnAvS2x5dz09#success

Virtual ID Party and Bingo
Date: May 2, 2023
Time: 5:30p-7:30p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Zoom
Description: Join the Billion Oyster Project for an ID party focusing on harbor organisms.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

City Nature Challenge NYC Virtual ID Party
Date: May 3, 2023
Time: 5:30p-7:30p
Host: Macaulay Honors College
Location: Zoom
Description: Grab a snack and a tasty beverage and hop on our Zoom with @klodonnell to make identifications together! No taxonomic experience necessary - everyone is welcome! The basic format will be a quick intro about how to ID observations and then you'll work on them on your own while on the call. We'll hang out and chat about the cool critters people have found or the funny observations people have made.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

Posted on April 7, 2023 09:16 PM by klodonnell