Upcoming Trips

Below is a list of upcoming trips and events by local organizations for the weekend of July 18th - 19th, 2009:

New York City Audubon Society
City of Water Day Eco-Cruise
Saturday, July 18, 12-1:30pm
With Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance
Guide: Peter Mott
As part of City of Water Day, a celebration of the waterways and harbors of New York City, NYC Audubon is offering a special eco-cruise past Hoffman and Swinburne Islands exploring the natural history of the area. The tour leaves from Governor's Island. Visit www.gipec.com/Visit_the_Island for information and schedule.
Limited to 175.
Free

Butterfly Identification Workshop
Sunday, July 19, 10am-noon
Instructor: Don Riepe With NYC Butterfly Club
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Refuge Visitor Center for this program on finding, identifying and photographing butterflies, moths and other insects in NYC parks.
Limited to 25.
$10 ($9 for NYC Audubon members at the Senior/Student level and up)


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, July 18, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
North Mount Loretto Woods
This is a great new purchase by New York State DEC. Explore these beautiful woodlands' extensive American Beech, Oak and Sweet Gum forest with naturalist, photographer Sandra Mechanic.
Meet at the corner of Bartow and Richard Avenues off Hylan Blvd across from Mt. Loretto Unique Aea.
Bring bug spray, lunch and beverages.
For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.

Sunday July 19, First Part, 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Corson Brook Woods Late Summer Flowering Walk
Meet at the intersection of Forest Hill Road and Jasper Street, near the rear entrance to College of S.I. Join naturalist, photographer Sandra Mechanic on an exciting walk searching for late blooming wildflowers where dozens of wildflower species were in bloom this spring. We will search for White Snakeroot, Black Cohosh, Spotted Wintergreen and the flowers or seed heads of the Wild Leek whose tasty leaves appeared for a week or two in early spring and "melted" away. We may also find the 1 to 3 inch bladders of the Bladdernut that bloomed in June that now rattle when shaken.
Bring bug spray, lunch and beverages.
For more information, phone Dick at 718-761-7496.

Sunday July 19, Second Part, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The above walk will continue at Blood Root Valley
Park and Meet Sandra Mechanic at the back end of Wagner HS on Manor Road, near the JCC, where we can enjoy the deeply shaded cool mature forest with ancient Red Oaks, American Beech and Sweet Gum trees and in the brook bottom below, Black Walnut trees laden with edible walnuts along with dozens of Sugar Maples, a rare Staten Island forest.
Bring bug spray, lunch and beverages. The leaves of the spring blooming Bloodroot may still be showing.
For more information, phone Dick at 718-761-7496.

Sunday, July 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Butterflies at Blue Heron Park
Staten Island is home to a gorgeous collection of butterflies. The variety of sizes and shapes, colors and styles is no better evidenced than at Blue Heron Park. Enjoy time with Cliff Hagen as he shares tips for identifying Staten Island's most brilliant insects.
Meet in the parking lot of Blue Heron Park on Poillon Ave. between Hylan Blvd. and Amboy Road.
Bring binoculars if you have them.
For more information phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496 or Cliff at 718-313-8591


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, July 18, 2009

Early Morning Birding
8:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for this weekly Ranger-led birding walk of the Salt Marsh…
Location: Marine Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Early Birding
9:00 a.m.
What birds will we see? Bring your comfortable shoes, some binoculars, and your curiosity…
Location: High Rock Park, Staten Island
Free

Canoeing the Lagoon
10:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this easy adventure paddle through the sparkling blue waters…
Location: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free

Backyard Birding
10:00 a.m.
Crotona Park is home to many species of birds. Join the Rangers as we help you to identify…
Location: Crotona Park, Bronx
Free

Canoeing
10:00 a.m.
Learn the basics of canoeing as you canoe with the Rangers on Little Neck Bay. First…
Location: Fort Totten Park, Queens
Free

John Muir Hike
11:00 a.m.
Stretch your legs and get some air as we traverse the park’s only east-west trail. …
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free

Nature Hide and Seek
11:00 a.m.
Join the Rangers and discover how some animals hide or disguise themselves and why others…
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free

Children’s Hour: Bottle Biology
1:00 p.m.
This month we will be creating soda bottle terrariums. Bring an empty, clean two-liter soda…
Location: Marine Park, Brooklyn
Free

Little Red Lighthouse
1:00 p.m.
View the famous Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse! Bring a camera because you won’t…
Location: Fort Washington Park, Manhattan
Free

Nature Bingo for Kids
2:00 p.m.
Learn about nature while playing a fun game. Prizes awarded to the winners. This activity…
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free

Bird Eco-Crafts
2:00 p.m.
Bring the kids to the park for an afternoon of creating bird-themed crafts. Materials…
Location: Crotona Park, Bronx
Free

Family Camping
5:00 p.m. Enjoy a barbecue cookout and night hike too! Tents, dinner, and a light breakfast provided.…
Location: Alley Pond Park, Queens
Free

Exploring Twin Island
10:00 a.m.
From the rocky shore to the forest, this island has it all. See it for yourself!
Location: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free

Nature Scavenger Hunt
11:00 a.m.
Assemble your team and challenge yourself to find nature’s treasures. How many can you find?
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Cost: Free

Living Lakes
1:00 a.m.
Join the Rangers for a lake ecology lesson and look for fresh water insects and other critters!
Location: Crotona Park, Bronx
Free

Tree-mendous Walk
11:00 a.m.
Join the Rangers for a leisurely stroll through the park and find out all about trees.
Location: Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Free

Canoe the Lullwater
11:00 a.m.
Enjoy creekside views of wading birds and basking turtles. First come, first-served. Ages 8+.
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free

Canoe the Meer
11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun-filled day of canoeing and water safety. Bring water, sunscreen, and a…
Location: Central Park, Manhattan
Free

Canoe the Lullwater
12:30 p.m.
Enjoy creekside views of wading birds and basking turtles. First come, first-served. Ages 8+.
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Nature Scavenger Hunt
2:00 p.m.
Assemble your team and challenge yourself to find nature’s treasures. How many can you find?
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free

Living Lakes
2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers for a lake ecology lesson and look for fresh water insects and other critters!
Location: Crotona Park, Bronx
Free

Botany: From Beach to Forest
2:00 p.m.
Learn about the diverse plants that live at the ocean’s edge and in the forests of…
Location: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Free

Canoe the Lullwater
2:00 p.m.
Enjoy creek side views of wading birds and basking turtles. First come, first-served. Ages 8+.
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Free

Go Fish
2:00 p.m.
Discover the different species of fish found in ponds around New York City, as we see what…
Location: Kissena Park, Queens
Free

Family Camping
6:00 p.m.
You’ll pitch a tent, build a campfire, and go on a night hike to meet the nocturnal…
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Free

Night Hike
8:00 p.m.
Come check out the parks nightlife, and don’t forget to bring a flashlight!
Location: Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
Free