Natural Areas Conservancy

This morning at 10am! Join the NAC, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and Regional Plan Association to learn about New York City's wetlands and our new vision for their care and restoration especially as they face complex challenges like development and climate change. Click below to grab a last minute spot.

We're proud to partner with Maya Lin and Madison Square Park to plant 1,000 trees in natural areas across New York City as part of Maya's latest exhibition: "Ghost Forest." Head to madisonsquarepark.org/art/exhibitions/maya-lin-ghost-forest/ to learn more about the initiative and to plan your next visit to Madison Square Park.

New York City is a city of water boasting an astounding 520 miles of shoreline and retaining over 100 miles of streams. And as we face hard challenges like climate change, urban wetlands play an important role in protecting our city. Join us, Regional Plan Association, and New York City Department of Parks & Recreation on May 13 to learn how we're partnering with NYC Parks to present a new vision for the restoration and long-term care of New York City's wetlands. Click below to register to attend this virtual event.

Don't judge a plant by its cover! This #FloraFriday we’re giving some to Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). You can find Mayapple in the understory of open deciduous woodlands, forming mats as it grows. Peek between its broad, umbrella-like leaves and you'll find a solitary flower which blooms and produces a small lemon-shaped fruit in (wait for it) May.

It's true talking about #ClimateChange with friends and family can be stressful. But it doesn't have to be! Join the Natural Areas Conservancy on May 20 at 6pm as we host Yale Program on Climate Change Communication for tips on how to start these hard conversations and ways to make them more actionable. Register to attend this virtual event: https://bit.ly/3xjzCGa

Who doesn't love the sound of the crunch of a trail as you enter a natural area park? This peaceful scene was captured in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, which is home to five different nature trails. For more information on hiking in New York City visit the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation website: nycgovparks.org/facilities/hikingtrails

A walk in the woods or through your favorite natural area can be a great way to alleviate stress, unwind and unplug, and get your body moving. Our Senior Ecologist Helen recently visited Queen's Forest Park what's your go-to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation green space for some relaxation?

Our Deputy Director of Conservation Science Clara Pregitzer, Executive Director Sarah Charlop-Powers, and Yale School of the Environment's Mark Bradford were published in Journal of Forestry last week highlighting the challenges and opportunities with urban natural areas management. Access it below or send us a message if you'd like to access the PDF.

Wishing you a healthy and Happy New Year from all of us at the Natural Areas Conservancy! Together, with our incredible community of partners, volunteers, and supporters, we look forward to continuing our efforts to conserve and care for NYC’s 20,000 acres of natural areas.

With 2021 on the horizon, we're eager for New York City's post-pandemic recovery and the future of our urban natural areas. From scholar Jamaal Green: "We have to be able to reimagine what our public agencies can do and then invest in them, because we deserve better, and we can have better.

Fall isn't cancelled. You can still enjoy some of your favorite autumn activities, from pumpkin picking to fall leaf-peeping! Check out our Fall Fun Guide at: on.nyc.gov/3dvcOtv

Next week on October 29, the NAC's Executive Director Sarah Charlop-Powers will moderate A Green Way Forward an event exploring nature's role in addressing climate change in NYC with the Regional Plan Association, Waterfront Alliance and Rebuild By Design. Sign up below!

TONIGHT at 6pm, join our trails team as they go live to discuss their work in New York City's natural areas. They'll explore the benefits of trails including how they improve forest health and connect communities to local nature. Join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/3duPV9D

Last weekend, a group of motivated volunteers and Scouts joined our staff in Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx for the Citywide #pitchin4parks day. Together, they pulled fast-growing invasive plants and maintained check steps to mitigate erosion on the Cass Gallagher trail. Thank you to all who participated!

Tomorrow at 6pm! Join the NAC's trails team for our latest event: Trails and Their Impacts Beyond The Parks. The team will present about their work in trail maintenance and highlight how they're connecting with communities to advance park stewardship. Sign up to attend this event: http://bit.ly/3duPV9D

Next week! Join us on October 20 at 6pm for our latest virtual event: Trails and Their Impacts Beyond the Parks. You'll hear from the NAC's citywide trails team Julia, Gabriel, Josh, and Isaac as they share exciting project updates and explore how New York City’s trails provide many social and environmental benefits for surrounding communities. Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3duPV9D

Our staff never misses a chance to appreciate nature's beauty while working out in NYC's natural areas. Justin, our Program Manager for Natural Areas Restoration, recently took this fun video of floating milkweed seeds a critical food source for monarch butterflies.

On this gray New York City Tuesday, we're feeling especially thankful for our wonderful volunteers who have been working hard in Ecology Park, Brooklyn this fall.

Sugar maple trees across the city are transitioning into their fall colors. We spotted sugar maple trees showing off its fiery orange-red leaves in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx and Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.

With beautiful fall weather forecasted for this weekend, check out the NAC's NYC Nature Map made in partnership with New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to see which natural areas are closest to you. Our city has thousands of acres for you to explore! View the map: naturalareasnyc.org/map

This week, the NAC's Citywide Trails team is hosting Trail Improvement Techniques trainings to teach local practitioners how to: identify management concerns along trails, develop the skill set to implement management tools, and utilize tools for reporting trail work and conditions. Julia, our Trails Program Manager, went live on Instagram from Alley Pond Park in Queens to show the team in action. Head to our Instagram page to watch and learn about the techniques we use to maintain NYC's trails: instagram.com/naturalareasnyc/

Last weekend, our Executive Director, Sarah and her family visited New York City's newest state park: Shirley Chisholm State Park! Once a Brooklyn landfill, this park now offers sprawling grasslands, waterfront access, and breathtaking views. It also has 10 miles of trails for hiking and biking.

The NAC's Citywide Trails team is getting ready for this week's Trails Techniques Trainings happening from 9/30 to 10/2 at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Last week, they prepped puncheon materials that will be used to teach local practitioners how to maintain trail infrastructure in New York City's natural areas. During the trainings, Julia, our Trails Program Manager, will go live on Instagram so you can see our team in action as they share the techniques they use while out on the trails. Head to our Instagram page later this week to tune in!