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.
Delve
into
the
fascinating
world
of
the
creatures
that
make
up
84%
of
the
Animal
Kingdom—what
renowned
biologist
E.O.
Wilson
once
called
"the
little
things
that
run
the
world."
We'll
discuss
the
roles
that
insects
play—both
in
maintaining
healthy
ecosystems
more...
The
tri-state
area
contains
many
distinct
ecosystems,
including
woodlands,
salt
marshes,
meadows,
and
fresh
water
wetlands.
Study
the
unique
characteristics
of
local
habitats
and
the
species
they
support,
paying
close
attention
to
interspecies
relationships.
We'll
spend
time
in
Pelham
Bay
more...
With
its
wide
variety
of
habitats
and
its
position
on
the
Atlantic
Flyway,
NYC
is
a
bird-lover's
paradise.
Over
300
distinct
resident
or
migratory
species
live
here
or
pass
through,
including
many
nesting
species
such
as
Peregrine
Falcons,
Red-tailed
Hawks,
more...
Explore the myriad structures and diverse life cycles of plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria. Discover how and why scientists have divided and classified these organisms.
In autumn our native Northeast flora can be spectacular, but difficult to identify. With a 10X power hand lens and a plant key, you'll learn to identify these wildflowers, shrubs, and trees on the Garden grounds.
In
NYC,
fall
is
the
best
time
to
hunt
for
edible
fungi.
Paul
Sadowski,
25-year
veteran
of
the
NY
Mycological
Society,
will
lead
a
mushroom
hunt,
and
show
you
how
to
identify
many
species
and
their
look-alikes,
where
to
find
more...
From
the
field
to
the
folder,
this
course
covers
the
essentials
of
making
museum
quality
preserved
plant
specimens
suitable
for
research,
education
and
the
decorative
arts.
Learn
the
technique
and
skills
for
collecting
and
preserving
plants
of
your
interest,
wild
more...
Botanical
Latin
is
essential
for
anyone
with
a
serious
interest
in
identifying
plants.
But,
contrary
to
popular
belief,
mastering
Latin
plant
names
need
not
be
intimidating
or
boring.
Review
the
rules
of
taxonomy,
Latin
grammar,
and
pronunciation,
and
learn
the
more...
With
its
wide
variety
of
habitats
and
its
position
on
the
Atlantic
Flyway,
NYC
is
a
bird-lover's
paradise.
Over
300
distinct
resident
or
migratory
species
live
here
or
pass
through,
including
many
nesting
species
such
as
Peregrine
Falcons,
Red-tailed
Hawks,
more...
Take
your
naturalist
game
to
the
next
level
by
learning
how
to
sketch.
Drawing
asks
that
you
slow
down
and
closely
observe
what
you
see,
allowing
you
to
identify
unfamiliar
species
and
investigate
ecological
connections.
Focusing
on
trees,
you'll
learn
more...
Invasive plants can quickly spread and dominate a plant community, disrupting the ecosystem by reducing biodiversity. Learn how to identify the most problematic species in our region and explore practical strategies to manage them through an environmental stewardship lens.
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.
Autumn
is
a
period
of
intense
and
often
misunderstood
activity
for
urban
wildlife,
particularly
bats.
Explore
how
feeding,
reproduction,
dwindling
resources,
and
juvenile
dispersal
overlap
to
shape
the
behavior
of
bats
in
the
fall.
Through
a
combination
of
scenario-based
analysis
more...
Learn
how
to
create
autumn-inspired
compositions
across
a
two-page
spread.
Using
ink,
watercolor,
and
a
provided
template
on
paper
vellum,
you'll
be
able
to
illustrate
and
easily
transfer
your
sketches
of
autumn
leaves
and
other
botanical
subjects
onto
a
horizontal
more...
Among
Earth's
most
amazing
and
oldest
living
organisms,
lichens
grow
on
bark,
rock,
and
barren
soil.
They
thrive
in
rain
forests,
deserts,
the
arctic
--
even
environments
simulating
Mars!
Lichens
are
sensitive
environmental
indicators,
yet
scientists
are
only
just
beginning
more...
Explore the geology of New York City as you study various rock types and gain an understanding of their significance against the backdrop of plate tectonic theory.
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
more...
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