In this teeming metropolis we call home, nature is all around us whether we pause to carefully observe it or not. Amaranth springs through the cracks in our sidewalks; migrating warblers rest in our parks; horseshoe crabs scuttle onto our beaches to breed. As a NYBG Urban Naturalist, you will have a unique opportunity to explore these diverse habitats while discovering the keys that unlock their many secrets. Enroll in a course for fun or pursue a Certificate.
Click here for an overview of the Certificate Program.
Whether
you
are
an
experienced
birder
or
a
beginner,
this
single-day
walk
and
talk
will
sharpen
your
skills
and
provide
fascinating
insight
into
the
world
of
birds.
Learn
how
to
observe
and
identify
migrant
and
local
birds—such
as
Peregrine
Falcons,
more...
Build
your
confidence
and
ability
to
discover
the
normally
invisible
(&
fascinating!)
aspects
of
plants,
fungi,
lichens,
slime
molds,
spores,
and
other
plant
specimens
using
microscopes.
In
this
course,
you'll
learn
the
optical
principles
of
microscopy
and
become
comfortable
with
more...
Witness
the
diversity
of
plants
in
the
northeast
as
they
flower
and
set
seed
in
rapid
succession.
Follow
the
bloom
sequence
of
spring
wildflowers,
shrubs
and
trees
during
this
much
anticipated
season
of
rebirth.
Learn
to
identify
native
plants
using
more...
This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
Have
you
heard?
Botanizing
is
the
new
birding!
Join
Let's
BotanizeŽ
co-founders,
Ben
Goulet-Scott,
Ph.D.,
and
Jacob
S.
Suissa,
Ph.D.
for
a
botanizing
walk
through
NYBG.
Through
their
non-profit
work
and
new
book,
Let's
Botanize:
101
Ways
to
Connect
with
more...
With
its
variety
of
habitats
and
position
on
the
Atlantic
Flyway,
NYC
is
a
bird-lover's
paradise!
Over
300
distinct
resident
or
migratory
species
live
or
pass
through
here
each
year,
including
many
nesting
species
such
as
Peregrine
Falcons,
Red-tailed
Hawks,
more...
For
as
long
as
people
have
been
writing,
nature
has
been
a
major
preoccupation
of
writers
of
all
kinds.
Explore
the
history
and
craft
of
nature
writing
as
you
review
works
ranging
from
the
ancient
Epic
of
Gilgamesh
to
modern
more...
With
its
variety
of
habitats
and
position
on
the
Atlantic
Flyway,
NYC
is
a
bird-lover's
paradise!
Over
300
distinct
resident
or
migratory
species
live
or
pass
through
here
each
year,
including
many
nesting
species
such
as
Peregrine
Falcons,
Red-tailed
Hawks,
more...
As
the
mushroom
season
awakens,
discover
how
and
where
to
hunt
for
Oysters,
Inky
Caps,
Wine
Caps,
Dryad's
Saddle,
Reishi,
and
the
early
spring
Chicken
Mushroom.
Even
the
elusive
Morels
occur
throughout
the
metropolitan
region,
and
spring
is
the
ideal
more...
Join
herbalist
and
foraging
expert
Journei
Bimwala
for
an
immersive
walk
through
spring's
edible
landscape.
Using
sight,
touch,
smell,
and
taste,
you'll
learn
to
identify,
harvest,
and
understand
the
deeper
meaning
of
wild
plants-their
cultural
significance,
medicinal
power,
and
culinary
more...
Learn
how
to
create
and
contribute
research
grade
observations
for
the
global
scientific
community
by
using
iNaturalist.
In
this
class,
you'll
explore
the
breadth
and
depth
of
iNaturalist—a
community-based
education
and
science
organization
app
for
those
curious
about
nature,
interested
more...
Explore
the
basic
principles
that
influence
the
ecological
relationships
of
the
urban
forest
ecosystem,
and
learn
how
these
principles
can
be
applied
to
forest
stewardship.
Using
the
Garden
grounds
as
a
site
for
observation
and
field
study,
learn
to
understand
more...
Analyze
the
biology,
behavior,
and
ecology
of
local
bat
species
through
a
combination
of
indoor
study
and
guided
fieldwork.
You'll
develop
skills
in
observing,
identifying,
and
documenting
bats
using
both
visual
cues
and
acoustic
monitoring
techniques.
Through
hands-on
sessions,
you'll
more...
Get
a
solid
grounding
in
the
basic
plant
body-from
the
cell
to
the
roots,
stems,
leaves,
flowers,
and
fruit.
We'll
use
dissecting
and
compound
light
microscopes
to
observe
plant
anatomy,
then
introduce
the
base-level
chemistry
required
to
understand
the
world
more...
Discover the many herbs and spices prized for centuries to heal, to revitalize the immune system, and to treat and prevent asthma, insomnia, flu, and more.
Whether
you
are
an
experienced
birder
or
a
beginner,
this
single-day
walk
and
talk
will
sharpen
your
skills
and
provide
fascinating
insight
into
the
world
of
birds.
Learn
how
to
observe
and
identify
migrant
and
local
birds—such
as
Peregrine
Falcons,
more...
This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
Learn
to
measure
and
monitor
the
ecological
diversity
observed
and
celebrated
in
and
around
New
York
City
environs.
Practice
using
field
techniques
for
recording
observations
in
nature
while
walking
along
trails
in
the
Garden.
Explore
the
biodiversity
within
your
chosen
more...