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.


March

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

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

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

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.
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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