All Posts Under Nature

Superfund: A Citizen’s Guide

With the Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek, Superfund has become a colloquial term and a buzzword in New York City.

But what is a Superfund exactly?

This class will focus on citizen participation in the Superfund process and conclude with a discussion of current and future sites in the five boroughs.

Freshkills Park Series: Landfill Infrastructure

The ongoing development of Freshkills Park is one of the most ambitious public works projects in the history of New York City, using state of the art ecological restoration techniques in an extraordinary setting for recreation, public art, and environmental investigation.

Learn more about the infrastructure that makes the park possible from Laura Truettner, Manager for Park Development.

Winter Tree Identification

Add a bit of excitement and arboreal enjoyment to your winter walks with a lesson in tree identification! Look closely at the tree’s wintry bits: buds, bark, and fruiting bodies and your snowy sojourns will be evermore enchanting.

150 Years in Hiding: The Story of a New Frog Species in New York City

New York City is probably the last place you’d expect to find a new species of frog, but that’s exactly what Jeremy Feinberg and a group of colleagues discovered in 2012.

This unexpected discovery is the first of its kind for a New York State amphibian since 1854 and has received worldwide attention from scientific and general-interest communities alike.

In this talk, Jeremy will share his tale of two species – about the new frog and the look-alike species it was previously thought to be.

Superfund: A Citizen’s Guide

With the Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek, Superfund has become a colloquial term and a buzzword in New York City.

But what is a Superfund exactly?

Come learn at this evening class offered at the Brooklyn Brainery!

Oysters!

“In Dutch and English days, immense beds of oysters grew in the harbor. They bordered the shores of Brooklyn and Queens, and they encircled Manhattan, Staten Island, and the islands in the Upper Bay…”

Winter Wildlife Viewing

New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to deer and seals, wildlife viewing opportunities exist year-round in all of our parks.

This time of year is perfect to spot migrating birds and waterfowl which will call our parks home for the winter. Wildlife viewing is a perfect activity for any age.

Washed Up Transforming a Trashed Landscape Alejandro Duran

Washed Up is an ongo­ing project by Mexican-born, New York-based artist Ale­jan­dro Durán that addresses the issue of plas­tic pol­lu­tion mak­ing its way across the ocean and onto the shores of Sian Ka’an, Mexico’s largest federally-protected reserve.

Come see how this Ale­jan­dro Durán addresses these issues through art!

Spark Speaker Series: with Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen of 5 Gyres and Stefanie Spear, founder of EcoWatch

Microplastic particles are found in all oceanic gyres, bays, gulfs and seas worldwide.

Once in the environment, microplastics absorb persistent organic pollutants, and are consumed by a variety of marine life, including the fish we harvest for food.

Join the discussion on plastic pollution in our waterways and the serious impact it has on our oceanic ecosystem, and what is being done to stop it.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Tour

Ever wondered how the Brooklyn Bridge Park was created? Have you never been to Brooklyn Bridge Park? In either case, this is a great opportunity to explore a wonderful green space in NYC and learn how it came to life!