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.
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...
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...
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
on
Garden
grounds
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.
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...
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