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.


February

Coyotes, bears, and deer are becoming an integral part of urban life due to the extirpation of their predators and conversion of natural habitats. We will look closely at these species and discover how they have adapted to co-exist with more...
263NAT326O 02/11 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Herrera
ONLINE

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 to understand more...
263BOT313 02/12 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Howland
NYBG

Urbanization is changing biodiversity, interspecies relationships, and even animal behavior, in the tri-state area and beyond. Liz Johnson, former manager of AMNH's Metropolitan Biodiversity Program, will introduce you to the particular habitats found here, as well as plants and animals more...
263NAT338BO 02/26 Th 10:00am-12:00pm Johnson
ONLINE

March

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...
263BOT315DO 03/01 Su 10:00am-1:00pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

Take your knowledge of botanical nomenclature to the next level. In this course, you'll look closely at plants to better understand and identify their diversity and similarities. Examining plant structures can seem tricky, as some resemble each other but belong more...
263GAR366O 03/03 Tu 10:30am-12:30pm Bakshi
ONLINE

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).
263BOT385BO 03/05 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Herrera
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.
263BOT346BO 03/07 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Candee
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.
263BOT308EO 03/13 Fr 11:00am-1:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

April

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...
264NAT234A 04/09 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Chaya
NYBG

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...
264BOT398 04/10 Fr 11:00am-2:00pm Sadowski
NYBG

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...
264BOT333 04/11 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Slowik
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.
264BOT308AO 04/12 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Sparreo
ONLINE

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...
264BOT282 04/14 Tu 1:30pm-3:30pm Botanize
NYBG

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...
264NAT317ABL 04/15 We 10:00am-12:00pm Chaya
BLENDED

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...
264NAT351BL 04/16 Th 5:30pm-7:30pm Jacobs
BLENDED

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