Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of December 10th - December 11th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds.

Sunday, December 11, 2011, 10 a.m.
Discover Tour
Every Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
Central Park Holidays birding
Meet 8:30 am at 100th Street and Central Park West park entrance
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh TEXT Message 347-622-3559 if necessary
Focus: Waterfowl, winter species, raptors, and other holiday season delights
Site map: http://tinyurl.com/CPbirdingdec11th
http://nycbirds.com/mapCPK.html
Nearest train stop: "B" or "C" to 96th or 103rd Street train stations
Notes: Use www.hopstop.com for guidance. There will be extensive walking towards Sherman Square/Grand Army Plaza (NYC) at 59th street and 5th Ave where leader will exit. Birders can leave en route for a shorter walk.

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers. Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Sunday, December 11, 2011, 10am – 1pm
Jamaica Bay: Winter Birds and Survival
Guide: Don Riepe With Gateway National Recreation Area Meet at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for an easy hike around the West Pond, gardens and upland woods. Learn how plants and animals adapt to winter, and look for waterfowl, owls, and wintering birds. To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or donriepe [AT] gmail.com. Limited to 25. Free

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Long Pond
From reptiles and amphibians to birds and mammals, we’ll look for signs of animal life during this one and a half mile hike through the woodlands of Long Pond Park. In addition evidence of the geologic history and human influence on the park will also be observed. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Saturday, December 10, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop, The Greenbelt
For the 186th consecutive monthly restoration we will meet in the parking lot of the Greenbelt Nature Center at the junction of Rockland Avenue and Brielle Road. We will walk sections of the White and Blue Trails where we will spend two hours removing vines from saplings along the trails. If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply gloves and pruners (& refreshments). After a two hour work session, we will take a short walk over nearby trails.
For more information call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036, or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, December 10, 2011

Moderate Nature Exploration Hike
1:00 p.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park-Orchard Beach), Bronx
Cost: Free

Wilderness Survival
1:00 p.m.
What would you do if you found yourself lost in the woods? Do you know how to build your...
Location: Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Astronomy
6:00 p.m.
The wonders of the universe are ready to be discovered and New York City parks are the...
Location: Fort Totten Visitor's Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Vigorous Fitness Hike
10:00 a.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl
10:00 a.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. From falcons and salamanders, to...
Location: 72nd Road and Grand Central Parkway Service Road (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Wilderness Survival
11:00 a.m.
What would you do if you found yourself lost in the woods? Do you know how to build your...
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Moderate Nature Exploration Hike
3:00 p.m.
Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and reduce stress. Regardless of the...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free