NYC Wildflower Week presents a full week of free events to showcase the 53,000 acres of open space and 778 native plants in NYC’s 5 boroughs. The goal of the week is simple: to encourage New Yorkers to get to know the nature in their own back yard and to inspire them to protect this natural heritage for future generations. In 2012 the NYC Wildflower Week expanded on this model by launching National Urban Biodiversity Week with partners in cities across the country. Check out Nature Block Party to learn more!

NYC Wildflower Week is hosted by the Torrey Botanical Society as a way to re-engage New Yorkers with the natural heritage so beloved by our namesake, John Torrey. Started in the 1871 as a way for his students and colleagues to share their knowledge and love of the local flora, this tradition continues today.

The Society promotes the exploration and study of plant life, with particular focus on the flora of the New York City metro area. Today, it fosters and supports floristic curiosity through indoor meetings (lectures), outdoor meetings (plant walks), fellowships that support graduate study, and publications. For more information: www.torreybotanical.org

Far from being an anachronism, botanical societies are rich repositories of knowledge. Please help us preserve our sense of place through the study of botany by joining TBS today. Keep the oldest botanical society in the United States alive and active in the study and conservation of plants.

Most NY CWW events are free and open to the public. Space is limited for certain events, so advance registration is encouraged. Nature Walks, BK: Sunrise Listening TourNature Walks, BX: Van Cortlandt Bird WalkGarden Tours, MN: Native Plant Habitat at LCBH Community Garden Nature Walks, MN: Birding Basics for FamiliesFun for Kids, SI: Among the Wildflowers Nature Walks, BK: Blooms and Bugs Lectures & Learning, LI: The Flatbush Gardener Garden Tours, BX: Native Plant Garden Tour at NYBGGarden Tours, BX: Thain Family Forest Tour at NYBGGarden Tours, BX: Azalea Garden Tour at NYBG Garden Tours, BK: Talk With the Wildflowers of Brooklyn Bridge Park Garden Tours, SI: Greenbelt Native Plant Center Garden Tours, BK: Native Flora Garden at BBG Garden Tours, BK: Place, Purpose, Plants: Urban Gardening with Native PlantsGarden Tours, MN: Native Woodland Garden at NYU Nature Walks, BX: Wildflower Walk of Van Cortlandt ParkFun for Kids, MN: Interactive Nature FairGet Hands Dirty, BX: Native Plant Share & Workshop Get Hands Dirty, BK: Clean & Green: Wildflower Corridor Installation, and Plant and Compost Sale Fun for Kids, MN: Experience Life as a Plant Fun for Kids, BK: Family Flora WalkNature Walks, QU: Bird & Nature Walk at QBGNature Walks, MN: Spring Fungi Talk & Walk