Exploring the Cooling Power of NYC’s Forests

Don’t miss this early #ClimateWeekNYC event with the Natural Areas Conservancy, the Central Park Conservancy, and NYC Parks on September 12!

The summer of 2021 was the hottest on record in the U.S. — and extreme heat is now the leading cause of weather-related deaths across the country. Cities are documented to be 2-10 degrees (F) warmer than rural areas, increasing these risks to health and wellbeing for residents of urban areas. In the summer of 2022, the Natural Areas Conservancy and a dozen U.S. cities (members of the Forests in Cities national network) — including New York City — are leading a cross-country study focused on clarifying the role urban natural areas play in cooling cities. This study will examine differences in temperature across natural and built landscapes using satellite data. It will also explore if ecosystem health influences air temperature in forested natural areas by deploying air temperature sensors in forests across the country.

Join the Natural Areas Conservancy, the Central Park Conservancy, and NYC Parks on Monday, September 12 at 6:00 P.M. as we lead a tour to highlight this groundbreaking work. Staff members from each organization will lead attendees on a walking tour in Central Park as they discuss the progress of this exciting study, share some initial findings, and demonstrate how the temperature sensors are used within the parks.

Registration is required to attend. Participants should arrive at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park as the event meeting location. Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes for a walking tour of the park’s North Woods. This event is made possible thanks to generous funding from Con Edison.