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We connect New Yorkers to nature

Two arms wearing an orange coat, blue gloved hands plant a sapling into soil

Getting outside, made easier

We’re spreading the word about our city’s amazing biodiversity and the ways in which New Yorkers can hike and explore forests and wetlands across the five boroughs.

Throughout the year, the Natural Areas Conservancy organizes lectures, tours, and volunteer projects to improve our city’s abundant nature and helps residents experience New York City’s wild side.

Recent outdoor adventures

An intern uses a power tool to install rebar into a boulder

Improving trails citywide

Through long-term management and on-the-ground maintenance projects, we’re enhancing New York City’s vast network of trails. Our staff formalizes nature trails to improve access, wayfinding, and navigation for New Yorkers.

Support Our Work
A gravel trail at Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge with trees surrounding
A group of four trail maintainers wear green t-shirts smiling in a public park

Super Steward Trail Maintainers

Super Steward Trail Maintainers are advanced, independent volunteers who receive the training, tools, and resources they need to protect and care for an adopted trail in the parks system.

With the support and work of the Trail Maintainers, nature trails are properly stewarded and managed, and the overall health of our diverse natural areas is improved across the city.

Get Involved
A gravel trail at Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge with trees surrounding

Tales from the trails

“Unfortunately, natural areas are woefully underfunded—one of the main reasons a small army of volunteers like the Natural Areas Conservancy’s trail maintainers must regularly manage these areas in partnership with NYC Parks staff.”

Read Article(this link opens in new window)
A NYC Parks employee holds a large orange banner that reads "NYC Parks"

Our partners

We frequently team up with the NYC Parks Stewardship team to organize trail maintenance with our volunteers. And we host many of our events in tandem with local park conservancies like the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Forest Park Trust, and Friends of Pelham Bay Park.

City nonprofits such as the New York City Mountain Bike Association and various nature clubs are also regular collaborators.

Support New York City nature by giving today

Your contribution will support our efforts to formalize NYC’s 300 miles of trails.

Give Today
Woman in American Forests T-shirt kneels on ground with soil in hands