Urban Naturalist Certificate Requirements

The NYBG Urban Naturalist Certificate Program equips you with the observation, identification, and documentation skills you need to become an effective environmental steward. Using NYBG grounds and select New York City Parks, you will learn to keenly observe the natural world, create scientifically useful records of your observations, and investigate the interrelationships between species. NYBG Urban Naturalists work as environmental educators, help manage invasive species in local parks, and volunteer with our EcoFlora project to help document NYC plant species.

Those in pursuit of a Certificate must complete 107 total course hours (77 required + 30 elective), plus a Field Study project. Browse this page to discover what required courses are currently scheduled.


April

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.
254BOT308AO 04/06 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

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...
254NAT317BL 04/16 We 10:00am-12:00pm Chaya
BLENDED

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...
254BOT333 04/26 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.
254BOT308BO 04/29 Tu 10:00am-12:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

May

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.
254BOT308CO 05/04 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE
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