CNC:NYC 2024 Event List!!

We have many exciting FREE events all over the city during the four days of the City Nature Challenge. Come observe with us!

These events are all open to the public, but some do have limited space and require registration ahead of time. The registration links are provided below. Thank you to all of our great partner organizations for hosting these events! Let's go NYC!

If you're looking for some tips on getting started, we recorded our CNC:NYC Getting Started webinar April 17. Click here to watch. And once the observation days are over, join us on 5/1 for our Virtual ID party. More info and registration are on this Eventbrite page.

UPDATE 4/24: Several new events added for Queens and one more for the Bronx!

We have organized events by borough. Jump to your borough of choice:

Events by Borough

Bronx

City Nature Challenge: Seton Falls Park Forest Restoration
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 9a-12p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Seton Falls Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff for a City Nature Challenge- Forest Restoration event to protect and learn about and protect the forested areas of Seton Falls Park. Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. For the City Nature Challenge portion of the morning, volunteers will learn how to identify spring plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature found along the way. The hike will not be strenuous and we will stay on trails, but please make sure to bring water, a snack, and your smartphone! If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how! Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty.
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

Van Cortlandt Park BioBlitz: City Nature Challenge 2024
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-1p
Host: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Location: VCPA Garden & Compost Site, Broadway and Mosholu Ave
Description: Join us at the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance to showcase the Bronx and Van Cortlandt Park's rich biodiversity! We'll provide guidance on using the iNaturalist app effectively and share strategies for making valuable observations. Whether you prefer to explore the garden or venture into the Northwest Forest, your efforts will add to our growing database of over 40,000 observations, directly informing our conservation strategies and management practices. At the end of the event, participants will gather to enjoy snacks and see how many observations we collectively made!
Registration: via Eventbrite.

City Nature Fest at Henry Hudson Park
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-12:30p
Host: Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Location: Henry Hudson Park
Description: Join us at Henry Hudson Park for two activities. You can help keep the park clean & green and pitch in to clean, rake, weed, compost, & mulch! Learn about our native, invasive, and ornamental plants and how we steward them. No experience needed. Accessible for all ages and abilities. Tools, gloves, and training provided.You can also learn & explore with NYC Park Rangers. Use field guides, ID cards, or the Naturalist app to find & identify local plants, birds, & more. Borrow our binoculars and magnifiers to see creatures far and near! Share your nature photos on iNaturalist and be part of this year's City Nature Challenge.
Registration: via Google Forms.

City Nature Challenge Bio Blitz
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 11a-12:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Crotona Park Nature Center, Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2024 City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 26-29 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all living organisms. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, click here.

Riverdale Park - City Nature Challenge 2024
Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
Time: 2p-4p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: Riverdale Park
Description:Join us for a nature walk through Riverdale Park to get in some final observations on the last day of the observation period. We will meet at the northern entrance to the park and make our way throughout the park, ending in the Raoul Wallenberg Forest near 232nd street.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

The Bee Conservancy CNC Event
Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
Time: 4:30p-6p
Host: The Bee Conservancy
Location: TBD
Description: Details to come.
Registration: TBD

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Brooklyn

Kids Week: Spring Scavenger Hunt
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 11a-12p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Herbert Von King Park, meet at the Playground
Description: Even when school's out, our parks are still the city's natural classroom! Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids Week during Spring Break. With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Search high and low for the natural wonders hiding just under your nose. As an added bonus, data will be collected for the City Nature Challenge.
Registration: None needed. For more info, click here.

City Nature Challenge: Teen BioBlitz
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 4p-6:30p
Host: Billion Oyster Project and Brooklyn Bridge Park
Location: Boathouse
Description: Join other NYC teens to learn about how to effectively document our findings on the iNaturalist app and contribute to the City Nature Challenge. After doing your part as a community scientist, join our teen social at the Visitor Center at the Boathouse at 6:00 PM to share your findings over free pizza! Prizes will also be awarded to the top contributors at the end of the City Nature Challenge weekend. Bring your fully charged, data enabled phone or digital camera. Create a profile ahead of time at inaturalist.org. This event takes place rain or shine.
Registration: The link to register can be found on this page.

City Nature Challenge Bird Blitz
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-11:30a
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the 2024 City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 26-29 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on the many birds found at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, click here.

City Nature Challenge: Ecology Park Cleanup and Tour
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-1p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Ecology Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff in sprucing up Ecology Park followed by a tour of the unique ecosystems. Volunteers will help remove debris and sweep up park paths. Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in iNaturalist's annual City Nature Challenge bioblitz- please bring your smartphone or camera! Volunteers will learn how to identify plants and how to make iNaturalist observations.
Registration: Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Click here to register. To register a group of 10 or more please email stewardship@parks.nyc.gov.

Earth Day Festival at Fort Greene
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 11a-2p
Host: Fort Greene Park Conservancy
Location: Visitors Center at Fort Greene Park
Description: Join the Fort Greene Park Conservancy at Earth Day Festival! Make earth-themed arts and crafts, participate in a zero waste swap, or help us document the park's biodiversity as a part of this year's City Nature Challenge.
Registration: None required.

Billion Oyster Project Sunset Park Field Station Experience
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 4p-6p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Bush Terminals Park, Marginal St. &, 43rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Description: Participants will have the opportunity to join a Billion Oyster Project staff member in the field to explore oysters, marine critters, and the ecology of New York Harbor. All field programs are held outdoors and/or near water.
Registration: via FareHarbor.

Calvert Vaux Park - City Nature Challenge 2024
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 9:30a-11:30a
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: Calvert Vaux Park
Description:Join us for a nature walk at Calvert Vaux Park during the City Nature Challenge! Calvert Vaux Park is a hotspot for migrating birds and interesting plants such as Scerochloa dura, Setaria parviflora, and Glyceria declinata. Uncommon lichens have also been found on the trees planted here.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

City Nature Challenge Family Day
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 10a-1p
Host: Green-Wood Cemetery and Genspace
Location: Enter Green-Wood through the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street) and find the event “home base” at Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel
Description:Green-Wood Cemetery and Genspace have planned an adventurous morning of activities and learning for kids of all ages. Expert naturalists will be leading walks to collect data on birds, insects, fungi, and plants at the Cemetery for the City Nature Challenge every half hour between 10:30am and 12:30pm. Microscopy activity stations will offer an opportunity to view nature up close. At 11am, Genspace will lead a 45-minute walk about how the climate crisis affects the trees at Green-Wood.
Registration: not required, but recommended. Click here. More info about the event is also at that link.

City Nature Challenge McGolrick Park Bio-Blitz
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 11a-1p
Host: North Brooklyn Parks Alliance
Location: McGolrick Park Pavillion
Description: Join North Brooklyn Parks Alliance for a pollinator bioblitz workshop for City Nature Challenge. We will be documenting spring pollinators amongst McGolrick's blooming flowers. We will guide volunteers on identifying plants and pollinators using the iNaturalist app in tandem with the global push to document our biodiversity.
Registration: via NBKParks website.

Billion Oyster Project Public Volunteer Event
Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
Time: 4p-6p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Valentino Pier
Description: Join Billion Oyster Project's effort to restore New York Harbor by volunteering to collect data on the health of the oysters at one of our Oyster Research Station Hubs. During this event, you’ll assist our team in collecting scientific data, meet some of New York Harbor’s most interesting marine creatures, and enjoy a beautiful day on the waterfront!
Registration: Required at this link.

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Manhattan

City Nature Challenge Kickoff at Macaulay
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 10a-12p
Host: Macaulay Honors College
Location: 35 W. 67th Street
Description:Join us for a 30 minute intro to City Nature Challenge at the Macaulay building and then we'll walk over to Central Park to start making observations together.
Registration: Free, but registration required here.

Spring Fling in the Park CNC Info Table
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 3p-6p
Host: Madison Square Park Conservancy
Location: Madison Square Park
Description: Experience what a perfect spring day is like in Madison Square Park. Take in the flowers as they reach peak bloom and get a sneak peek to what’s to come this year with live music, lawn games, arts and crafts and performances. There will be an info table set up where you can find out more about how to participate in the City Nature Challenge and make some observations in the park.
Registration: None needed. For more info about the event, click here.

Inwood Hill Park Spring Ephemeral & City Nature Challenge Walk
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-1p
Host: Natural Areas Conservancy
Location: Payson Playground, 285-287 Dyckman Street New York, NY 10034
Description: The Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) will host a guided walk throughout Inwood Hill Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. These observations will contribute to the 2024 City Nature Challenge and NYC's overall ranking during the weekend.All ages are welcome. Attendees under 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult. What should you bring: water bottle, weather appropriate clothing, sturdy, closed toe shoes, smart phone with the app iNaturalist downloaded
Registration: via Eventbrite

EarthFest
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-4p, InsectBlitz guided walk in Central Park at 4p
Host: American Museum of Natural History
Location: 200 Central Park W (inside Milstein Hall of Ocean Life and Gilder Center)
Description: Join us for a full day of family-friendly activities, performances, and lectures showcasing local and international efforts devoted to preserving planet Earth. More info here.
Registration: Tickets are required to get into the Museum and access the fair. IDNYC cardholders can get in for FREE and NY, NJ, CT residents can choose what to pay for admission, but in both cases, you must get those tickets online by visiting this page.

City Nature Challenge: Tree ID Hike
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Inwood Hill Park, Seaman Ave and Isham St.
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 26-29 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying the various species of trees in Central Park. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None required. For more information, click here.

Salt Marsh Open Hours
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 1p-3p
Host: Randall's Island Park Alliance
Location: Randall's Island Park, Little Hell Gate Marsh
Description: Stop by the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh on Saturday, April 27th between 1 and 3 PM to learn about the importance of these tidal wetlands, see some critters that make the salt marsh their home, and chat with RIPA’s Natural Areas Team. If you have the iNaturalist app on your phone, be sure to have that out as we will be documenting what we find as part of the City Nature Challenge 2024.
Registration: None needed. For more information, click here.

Billion Oyster Project Public ORS Monitoring
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 10a-1p
Host: Billion Oyster Project
Location: Governors Island, Pier 101
Description: Join Billion Oyster Project's effort to restore New York Harbor by volunteering to collect data on the health of the oysters at one of our Oyster Research Station Hubs. During this event, you’ll assist our team in collecting scientific data, meet some of New York Harbor’s most interesting marine creatures, and enjoy a beautiful day on the waterfront!
Registration: Required at this link.

City Nature Challenge Community Bio-Blitz
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 11a-1p
Host: Solar One
Location: 20th St and Ave C entrance to Stuy Cove Park
Description: Let's do a little citizen science and start tracking the wildlife as they return to our newly redesigned park. We'll use inaturalist and a host of identification tools to try and pinpoint which types of birds, bees, fungi, etc we find, discussing the importance of biodiversity in our cities and how we can help foster it. We recommend folks bring sun protection and reusable water bottles- we have water for refills on site. Smartphones with any identification apps always welcome, though we'll have some too.
Registration: via SignUp.

Washington Square Park Subtle Beauties: City Nature Challenge 2024
Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
Time: 10:30a-11:30a
Host: Washington Square Park Eco Projects
Location: Washington Arch
Description: Join us on April 29, 10:30-11:30 am for Washington Square Park Subtle Beauties. We will leave from the Arch to seek out plants, such as the native Common Blue Violet, less obvious than the showy cherries. No RSVP required. See you there!
Registration: None needed.

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Queens

City Nature Challenge: Kissena Park Forest Restoration & Nature Walk
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 9a-12p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Kissena Park
Description: Join NYC Parks staff for a City Nature Challenge Forest Restoration event! Volunteers will help protect the forested areas of Kissena Park. Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. Then how to identify spring plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature found along the way. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how. The hike will not be strenuous and we will stay on trails. Come prepared with water, a snack, your smartphone and dress in sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes, long sleeves, long pants and clothing that can get dirty.
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

APEC CNC Info Table
Date: Friday, April 26 - Monday April 29, 2024
Time: 9a-4:30p
Host: Alley Pond Environmental Center
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center: 229-10 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, NY 11362
Description: Visit APEC to learn more about the City Nature Challenge. We'll have an info table in our lobby for any visitors to learn about the event and join in! There won't be someone posted at the table, but APEC staff can answer your questions.
Registration: None

Jamaica Bay Far Rockaway CNC Info Table
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 12p-3p
Host: Jamaica Bay Far Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Location: Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, look for the table between Beach 99th St and Beach 108th St
Description: Find out more about how to participate in City Nature Challenge and make your first CNC observations at the beach!
Registration: None required.

City Nature Challenge: Alley Pond Park Spring Ephemeral Hike
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 5p-6:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Alley Pond Park
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Alley Pond Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

City Nature Challenge: Alley Pond Park Spring Ephemeral Hike
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-11:30a
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Alley Pond Park
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on another hike around Alley Pond Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

City Nature Challenge: Idlewild Park Spring Ephemeral Hike
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10a-11:30a
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Idlewild Park
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Idlewild Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, meet at Mauro Playground
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 26- April 29 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all visible living species near Willow Lake. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, click here.

City Nature Challenge: Forest Park Spring Ephemeral Hike
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 9:30a-11a
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Forest Park
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Forest Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

City Nature Challenge: Cunningham Park Spring Ephemeral Hike
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Cunningham Park
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Cunningham Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how!
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

All-Ages Spring Walk - City Nature Challenge
Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
Time: 10a-11:30a or 11:30a-1p (two walks to choose from)
Host: Alley Pond Environmental Center
Location: Alley Pond Park
Description: Join us to help observe and record different species on a guided walk around our trails! We will be using iNaturalist to document biodiversity like birds, plants, fungi, invertebrates, or other nature clues. These observations will contribute to the 2024 City Nature Challenge! Please bring a water bottle, weather appropriate clothes and shoes, and download the free iNaturalist app on a mobile device. All ages are welcome, and participants ages 14 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Registration: Registration required. To register for the 10a-11:30 walk, click here. To register for the 11:30a-1p walk, click here.

City Nature Challenge: Cunningham Park Spring Ephemeral Hike
Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
Time: 5p-6:30p
Host: NYC Parks
Location: Cunningham Park
Description: For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on another hike around Cunningham Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers. Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way. Please bring water and a snack as well as your smartphone or camera! We will stay on trails and the hike will not be strenuous, but we will be walking for about an hour and a half, so please dress appropriately. If you do not know how to use iNaturalist, arrive 15 minutes early and we will show you how
Registration: via NYC Parks website.

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Staten Island

Terrific Trees Hike
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 10:30a-12p
Host: Greenbelt Nature Center
Location: Greenbelt Nature Center
Description: Join us for a hike this Arbor Day to learn about tulip, oak, persimmon, and other trees we may find along the way. You can take photos along the way, and upload them for the City Nature Challenge.
Registration: required via Eventbrite.

Ocean Breeze Park - City Nature Challenge 2024
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10:30a-12:30p
Host: Torrey Botanical Society
Location: Ocean Breeze Park
Description: Join us for a nature walk at Ocean Breeze Park during the City Nature Challenge! Ocean Breeze Park is a large park containing a mosaic of coastal grasslands and freshwater marsh, both of which are uncommon in New York City.
Registration: via Eventbrite.

City Nature Challenge Naturalist Hike
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 1p-2:30p
Host: Urban Park Rangers
Location: Freshkills North Park, meet at the entrance (350 Wild Ave, Staten Island, NY)
Description: NYC Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge and is recruiting you to help. Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 26-29 between cities around the world to see which is most biodiverse. This program will focus on identifying all visible living species at Brookfield Park. Participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app to collect data.
Registration: None needed. For more info, click here.