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.
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...
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...
Focus
on
the
unique
ecologies
of
the
freshwater
wetlands,
salt
marshes,
and
rocky
shores
of
the
tri-state
area,
including
the
rare,
threatened,
and
endangered
species
that
live
there.
You'll
also
study
how
soils,
plants,
and
animals
are
adapting
to
urban
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.
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.
The
Bronx
River,
New
York
City's
only
freshwater
river,
flows
through
the
center
of
NYBG
and
is
buffered
by
the
Thain
Family
Forest.
Learn
the
fundamental
elements
of
our
local
riverine
ecosystem
teeming
with
life
in
the
first
session
of
more...
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...
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...
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