Urban Naturalist Classes

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.


April

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...
264NAT317BBL 04/19 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Chaya
BLENDED

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...
264BOT330 04/22 We 10:00am-1:00pm Sadowski
NYBG

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...
264CKG245 04/30 Th 11:00am-2:00pm Bimwala
NYBG

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...
264NAT176 04/30 Th 11:00am-1:00pm Cummings
NYBG

May

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...
264BOT326BL 05/05 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Zeiger
BLENDED

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...
264NAT354 05/05 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Mahoney
NYBG

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...
264BOT315AO 05/06 We 6:00pm-9:00pm Kutos
ONLINE

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.
264BOT346AO 05/12 Tu 10:00am-12:00pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

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...
264NAT234B 05/15 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm Chaya
NYBG

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.
264BOT308BO 05/27 We 10:00am-12:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

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...
264NAT323A 05/30 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Slowik
NYBG

June

Learn to identify native and introduced herbs, ferns, shrubs, and trees as they appear in summer, and get to know plants that may be found in fields, on roadsides, and in woodlands and wetlands. Learn about basic plant structure and more...
264BOT334BL 06/02 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Holmes
BLENDED

Take a deep dive into the history and modern-day uses of trees found in the tri-state area, from American elm to white pine. On this walk and talk, we will discuss 12 species and how the specific ecology and wood more...
264NAT206 06/05 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm O'Brien
NYBG

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...
264NAT337ABL 06/06 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Herrera
OFS-BL

Join ecologist Michael Gaige as he demonstrates how to identify old and ancient trees, both in Eastern woodlands and across the globe. He will discuss the factors that allow them to grow for centuries and illustrate how the advanced age, more...
264NAT353O 06/16 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Gaige
ONLINE

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...
264NAT322ABL 06/24 We 10:00am-12:00pm Chaya
BLENDED

July

Learn how to identify this unique order of insects as they take to the skies in early summer. Study their biology, behavior, habitat associations, and conservation efforts currently underway.
271NAT311O 07/06 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Wells
ONLINE

NYBG's lush grounds and various habitats provide a remarkable opportunity to observe and study butterflies. Join naturalist Ken Chaya in search of a wide variety of colorful butterflies known to feast on summer flowers in our area. You'll learn how more...
271NAT328 07/11 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Chaya
NYBG

On any walk through a woodland area, you've likely seen bracket fungi without even knowing it. These woody, often large, shelved bodies grow on tree trunks and due to their hard and durable stature, go largely ignored but hold many more...
271BOT364 07/14 Tu 11:00am-1:00pm Sadowski
NYBG

Discover how trees communicate via chemical signals in the air (to warn of insect attacks) and transfer nutrients to one another through complex underground fungal networks (sometimes to assist sick trees).
271BOT385O 07/15 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Kutos
ONLINE

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.
271BOT308CO 07/27 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Holmes
ONLINE

August

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.
271BOT346BO 08/02 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Candee
ONLINE

Urban flora can be found in unlikely places, from city sidewalks and highway medians, to lawns and other man-made environments. Most of these plants are introduced and many are considered weeds. Explore their origins, life cycles, and benefits to the more...
271NAT332BL 08/13 Th 10:00am-11:00am Slowik
ONLINE

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.
271BOT308DO 08/14 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

Explore these two beautiful and intriguing groups of herbaceous plants. NYBG's Director of the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium Dr. Emily Sessa will take you through the basic aspects of ferns and lycophytes. Gain an understanding of their form and more...
271BOT360 08/14 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm Sessa
NYBG

September

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...
271NAT323B 09/02 We 10:00am-1:00pm Slowik
NYBG

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...
271BOT315BO 09/03 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Schondorf-Seghrouchni
ONLINE

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...
271NAT322BBL 09/12 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Chaya
BLENDED

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...
271NAT337BBL 09/12 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Herrera
OFS-BL

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...
271NAT321BL 09/16 We 10:00am-12:00pm Chaya
BLENDED

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.
271BOT317O 09/17 Th 6:00pm-9:00pm Alvarez
ONLINE

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.
271BOT331 09/17 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Slowik
NYBG

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...
271BOT368 09/18 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm Sadowski
NYBG