Climate Week 2024 Round-up: Natural Areas Events in NYC

New York City is gearing up for Climate Week! From September 22 to 29, environmental organizations, non-profits, businesses, activists, and politicians will gather to discuss all things climate, and how progress can be made to combat one of the biggest challenges of this generation. 

With over 600 events happening across the city, you might be a little stuck on which ones you’d like to attend. We’ve compiled a list of events tailored to the natural areas enthusiasts and champions among us. From partner organization panels and discussions, to restoration and stewardship events led by local non-profits, there’s something here for everyone. We hope you have a chance to get outside next week and explore our beautiful city!

Natural Areas-Focused Events this Climate Week

Queens

Estuary day at Alley Pond Park (9/21)

The Friends of Alley Pond Park, NYC Parks, City Parks Foundation, and the Natural Areas Conservancy

This free family-friendly event includes games, guided nature walks, and education stations.

Resilience Rising at Rockaways: Dune Restoration (9/28)

RISE and Surfrider 

Help restore dune biodiversity by installing native plants along the coastline.

Staten Island

Wolfe’s Pond Restoration (9/23)

NYC Parks Stewardship

Remove aquatic plant species from wetland areas to help restore diversity in the pond.

Freshkills Park Climate Week Hike (9/26)

Freshkills Park Alliance and Greenbelt Conservancy 

Enjoy a 2 hour moderate hike and learn how Freshkills Park reduces greenhouse gas emissions through nature based features.

Bronx

Tree Planting for Climate Week in Van Cortlandt Park (9/28)

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

Attendees will get their hands dirty removing invasive species and planting trees in the Northwest Forest of the park.

Climate Week Conference: Nature’s Shield Harnessing Biodiversity for Climate Resilience (9/29)

New York Botanic Garden

At NYBG’s Climate Week conference you can expect a full day of exciting programming—a keynote address from anthropologist, ethnobotanist, and author Wade Davis, a panel discussion from practitioners, and a special screening of “Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power.”

Brooklyn

Intro to Birding at Marine Park (9/22)

NYC Bird Alliance 

Spot migratory songbirds and waterbirds while strolling within Marine Park’s grasslands and saltmarshes.

Environmental Justice Through Block By Block Microclimates In North Brooklyn  (9/28)

Pratt Institute – MS in Sustainable Environmental Systems

This interactive walk will take you through North Brooklyn and explore the health and ecology challenges faced by the historically marginalized community, as well as the relationship between urban form and microclimates.

Manhattan

Governor’s Island Walking Tour (9/22)

Billion Oyster Project

Take a walk around Governor’s island and learn how the Billion Oyster Project is restoring oyster reefs; and how they can help mitigate negative impacts of climate change. 

From the Ground Up: How a Multilayered Approach to Forest Conservation Benefits People, Nature, and Climate (9/24)

World Wildlife Fund

Through a dynamic panel discussion, learn how the World Wildlife Fund’s multilayered approach can provide solutions to the complexities of forest conservation around the world. 

Climate Week isn’t the only opportunity to get out into NYC’s wilderness! Check out our Events page for all upcoming tours and trainings.