There’s more to nature in New York City than rats and pigeons! From wriggly eels to soaring falcons, there are plenty of species that thrive in and around the concrete jungle. Prehistoric creatures roam our shorelines. Ancient trees line our streets. Read on to learn more about some of the species that make up the hidden nature of NYC.
Continue reading The Hidden Nature of New York CityTag Archives: birds
Sunken Meadow and Audubon NY Celebrate Latino Conservation Week
On Sunday afternoon, September 15, New York State Parks partnered with Audubon New York to host the second annual Latino Conservation Week event at Sunken Meadow State Park attended by hundreds of patrons. The goal of the event was to increase accessibility of coastal education and outreach messaging, including Audubon New York’s shorebird conservation outreach to the Latine community on Long Island. Towards this goal, four Spanish language interpreters lent their services to make this a bilingual event.
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Black Birders Fly in New York City
Each year, New York State Parks’ New York City region collaborates with partners BlackAFinSTEM, NYC Audubon, Latino Outdoors, Feminist Bird Club, and Outdoor Afro to convene Black Birders Week events. Together, these local organizations have created a network of support for historically marginalized people in communities that call this diverse and populated metropolis home, and our state parks are proud to serve as venues for some of the week’s activities.
Black Birders Week is just one example of how an injustice can inspire a community of people to come together to advocate and inspire change. On May 25, 2020, Christian Cooper – a Black man – was birding in Central Park when he encountered a white woman with her dog in the Ramble and politely asked her to put her dog on a leash so as not to disturb nesting birds. In response, the woman called 911 and asserted that a Black man was threatening her and her dog.
The video of this encounter went viral, making national news and demonstrating the challenges Black people face when engaging in outdoor activities. The incident, and others like it, led to the creation of Black Birders Week, now in its fourth year. The week itself aims to celebrate and uplift budding Black birders, expert Black birders, and all birders in between.
Join us in celebrating Black Birders Week with a full slate of events at three New York City parks named after historic Black and Afro-Caribbean leaders: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Shirley Chisholm State Park and Roberto Clemente State Park.
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Signs of Spring at State Parks and Historic Sites
Longer days. Warmer temperatures. More birdsong. The signs of spring have been growing stronger in New York for weeks, and now the season has arrived. We’re proud to share some of the delights of spring with you at our parks and historic sites — here’s hoping we’ll see you out there.
Springing from the Earth
Getting out on the trail in the springtime is an exhilarating experience, as wildflowers begin to bloom, trees return to leaf, and the smells of nature fully return. If you enjoy identifying the plants, insects and animals you see on the trail, consider joining the global nonprofit iNaturalist project. You can use their app to identify flora and fauna you find, record your sightings, or find out from other users what’s been sighted nearby. Below are a few plants to look out for!
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Making The Most of Winter in New York State
Winter doesn’t have to mean being stuck indoors. There’s year-round fun at our parks to help you beat cabin fever, chase away the winter blues, and experience a familiar spot in an entirely new way. Check out these iconic wintertime activities at our parks and sites, but hurry – spring will be here before you know it.
Ice, Ice, Baby
Ice skating is the classic wintertime activity, and our parks offer a safe way to enjoy the ice. From the urban setting of Riverbank State Park to the serenity of Grafton Lakes to the bustling atmosphere and panoramic views at Bear Mountain State Park, ice skating brings joy wherever you do it. This exhilarating experience gets your heart pumping, and is a fantastic winter bonding experience. Twelve of our parks offer skating, and most of them offer skate rentals as well.
Make sure to call ahead to ensure that conditions are suited to skating, follow all posted signs, and stay off the ice if you haven’t verified that it’s safe. Find a skating rink near you for an unforgettable experience.
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