Natural History

Announcing a new online plant resource from The Fort Tryon Park Trust! We work with NYC Parks’ horticulture staff to keep Fort Tryon Park colorful, intriguing, and rejuvenating for its visitors all year long. The park’s natural treasures include more than 650 varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. The Fort Tryon Park Trust is the […]

Join the Fort Tryon Park Trust and the Alley Pond Environmental Center for a journey back in time to the 1600s. Observe and examine artifacts from the Matinecock Indians from the Algonquin Nation, whose villages spanned from present day Newtown Creek in Queens to Smithtown, Long Island. Learn how their traditions, survival techniques, and conservation […]

Join Naturalist Ken Chaya for a Spring Migration birding tour of Fort Tryon Park! Learn about the more than 140 birds that reside in or journey through Fort Tryon Park. Meet at Margaret Corbin Plaza entrance to the Heather Garden. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your binoculars! For questions email info@FortTryonParkTrust.org

Great ecologists take great field notes. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike through Fort Tryon where we'll observe and sketch the beautiful flora and fauna of NYC.   Learn how to create a field journal and record your findings.  Bring a notebook, a writing utensil, your binoculars and a desire to learn!   We'll meet […]

Join naturalist Ken Chaya to rediscover the natural assets of the eastern expanse of Fort Tryon Park.  Explore the gardens and woodland landscapes as well as the interstitial spaces between the rock faced slopes. Learn about the abundant flora and fauna just beyond the busyness of the urban artery of Broadway!   Pack a water bottle, […]

  Join public garden designer Ronda M. Brands for a behind-the-scenes look at the particular design emphasis on the Heather Garden’s autumn assets, and the plant selections made to ensure a remarkable blend of fall colors throughout the three-acre site with its 600+ varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. Brands and colleague Lynden Miller have […]

Join expert mycologist Paul Sadowski, of the New York Mycological Society and the New York Botanical Garden, for a virtual Fungus Tour of Inwood Hill Park, one of New York City’s oldest woodlands and beyond.   You'll travel through  varied habitats in search of mushrooms large and small, edible, inedible or just plain poisonous, from the […]

Join Leslie Day, author of Field Guide to the Street Trees of New York City, on a virtual tour of our conifer and deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennial plants in Fort Tryon Park. Learn how they survive subfreezing temperatures and then go on to greet us in spring with their gorgeous leaves and flowers, berries, and […]

Celebrate the stillness of winter on a reflective stroll with naturalist Ken Chaya. Learn about the park's history and unique habitat that supports the animals that call Fort Tryon Park home year round, under the light of a full moon. To assist us with crowd management, an RSVP via Eventbrite is required. We appreciate your […]

Join Leslie Day, author of Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City and Field Guide to the Neighborhood Birds of New York City for a virtual tour of how animals survive winter in Fort Tryon Park. Learn about our flying squirrels, songbirds, birds of prey, squirrels, raccoons, woodchucks and skunks, butterflies and moths, preying mantises, honeybees and bumblebees. […]

Explore the eastern side of Fort Tryon under the calm of the full moon. Naturalist Ken Chaya leads a nature tour, discussing the trees, wildlife, and unique geological features of Fort Tryon Park. Meet at the Broadway/Arden entrance (A train to Dyckman). Due to the popularity of Ken's walks, we are requiring RSVPs via Eventbrite […]

Join Leslie Day, New York City naturalist and author, to learn about the lives of honeybees, ruby-throated hummingbirds, butterflies and moths, flower flies and native bees as we take a virtual tour of the Heather Garden’s flowers throughout the seasons and the important and beautiful animals that need them for food and that help them […]

Explore the Fort Tryon Park's Heather Garden in the moonlight. Naturalist Ken Chaya leads a nature tour, discussing the trees, plants, and wildlife of Fort Tryon Park. Meet at the Margaret Corbin Circle entrance (A train to 190th St). Please RSVP on Eventbrite. Registration opens on Friday, April 21. We aim to plan routes that […]

Explore the northern forests of Highbridge Park. Naturalist Ken Chaya leads a birdwatching tour, teaching you to identify birds based on calls, appearance, and behavior. Meet at Dyckman & 10th Ave. Please RSVP on Eventbrite. Registration opens in mid-May. Facilitator may be using a small microphone, but in a large group there may be some […]

Join the Feminist Bird Club of NYC for a beginner-friendly birding walk and workshop in Fort Tryon Park. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a full water bottle! Walk will meet at the Margaret Corbin Circle entrance to Fort Tryon Park. Access notes: the park has […]