Urban Naturalist Certificate Electives

Elective course offerings vary with every catalog season. Browse this page to discover what's currently scheduled. Students in pursuit of a Certificate must complete at least 30 elective course hours.


September

Paleobotany, the study of plant evolution through fossil evidence, gives us insights into Earth's flora, past and present. In this class, you'll learn about the evolution of plants—from when life first emerged from the ocean to modern day trees and more...
261BOT434O 09/20 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Paradiso
ONLINE

October

Take your naturalist game to the next level by learning how to sketch. Drawing asks that you slow down and closely observe what you see, allowing you to identify unfamiliar species and investigate ecological connections. Focusing on trees, you'll learn more...
261NAT400B 10/05 Su 11:00am-1:00pm Leighton
NYBG

Botanical Latin is essential for anyone with a serious interest in identifying plants. But, contrary to popular belief, mastering Latin plant names need not be intimidating or boring. Review the rules of taxonomy, Latin grammar, and pronunciation, and learn the more...
262GAR360AO 10/06 Mo 10:30am-12:30pm Bakshi
ONLINE

Explore the geology of New York City as you study various rock types and gain an understanding of their significance against the backdrop of plate tectonic theory.
262NAT377 10/17 Fr 11:00am-2:00pm Merguerian
Merguerian
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...
262BOT368 10/25 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Sadowski
NYBG

November

Learn how plants defend themselves against diseases. In this class, you'll dig into the history of plant immunology and review the most recent breakthroughs in research. Grow your own model plants that are typically used to study plant immunity and more...
262BOT367 11/03 Mo 11:00am-1:00pm Halane
NYBG

Plants do not grow in isolation—they exist within a rich and dynamic ecosystem teeming with microorganisms. Explore the fascinating and essential relationships between plants and the microbial world that surrounds them. From symbiotic fungi that extend the reach of plant more...
262BOT341 11/08 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Zumajo
Nigris
NYBG

Take your naturalist game up another level by moving beyond sketchbook drawings to create an accordion book-or small series of artworks-inspired by your favorite observations of NYBG. Working with shadows and light, you'll explore color in a variety of media more...
262NAT423BL 11/09 Su 11:00am-1:00pm Leighton
ONLINE

December

Discover the power, the allure, and the science of psychedelic mushrooms. This lecture focuses on the mycology of psychedelic mushrooms, focusing on Psilocybe species, Amanita muscaria, and Claviceps purpurea (from which LSD is synthesized), and how they are used in more...
262BOT302O 12/03 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Bone
ONLINE

January

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.
263BOT346AO 01/03 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Candee
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).
263BOT385AO 01/08 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Herrera
ONLINE

Discover the fascinating traits that most frogs, toads, and salamanders share-such as having thin, smooth skins through which they can breathe-as well as what makes them unique. You'll pick up tips to identify local species by sight and/or sound and more...
263NAT347O 01/13 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Johnson
ONLINE

Botanical Latin is essential for anyone with a serious interest in identifying plants. But, contrary to popular belief, mastering Latin plant names need not be intimidating or boring. Review the rules of taxonomy, Latin grammar, and pronunciation, and learn the more...
263GAR360BO 01/15 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Bakshi
ONLINE

Discover the fascinating world beneath the soil by exploring the botanical intricacies of geophytes—commonly known as "earth plants". From the layered architecture of bulbs and tubers (such as tulips and potatoes) to the stealthy spread of rhizomes (think ginger or more...
263BOT370O 01/21 We 11:00am-2:00pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

February

In winter, New York City becomes a busy resort for scoters, eiders, geese, grebes, loons, owls, songbirds, and even seals that visit to wait out colder weather to the north. Explore the various seasonal behaviors of these animals—from their spectacular more...
263NAT358BL 02/05 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Jacobs
OFS-BL

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

March

Lichens are among the most unique, resilient organisms on Earth—and among the least understood. In this class, you'll explore the identification, natural history, and ecology of lichens of the Northeast, especially those in the NYC area.
263BOT365 03/01 Su 11:00am-2:00pm Rao
NYBG

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