Highbridge Hike

Students of all ages are invited to hike in Highbridge Park. Working in small groups, participants observe the land and are given a list of items to find – using clues that connect nature and wildlife with the surrounding built environment in which they live, go to school and play.

Swindler Cove, Habitat Rove

Students of all ages act as real-estate agents for animals. By learning about three distinct animal habitats and their different food, water, housing and safety/shelter sources, students are encouraged to compare lifestyles, basic survival needs and effect of environmental changes among all living beings.

Our River, the Giver

Third- through eighth-grade students connect the history of the Harlem River to its present function and learn about the challenges that face an urban river. They also identify the importance of water quality to both humans and animals, exploring how preserving aquatic and other natural habitats can help maintain green spaces for all New Yorkers’ benefit.

Yo, Seed Grow

Students of all ages learn about the many parts of seeds and plants as they plant seeds, observing and recording their growth. By exploring the life cycles of plants, students are encouraged to use their senses to learn more about themselves and their surroundings.

Dig It!

Students of all ages spend most of the session with their hands in the dirt tallying the diversity of life in a bucket of soil. Using their senses to define habitats and ecosystems, students work in groups to observe, classify, identify and study the living organisms found in soil, as well as to learn more about themselves and their surroundings.

Garden Eco-Blitz

Students of all ages launch an intense investigation into the many elements that make up a garden. From plants to insects to the use of the garden, these jar-garden scientists learn how local gardens function, pledging future action to help maintain the health and well being of both their individual and community gardening efforts.

Schoolyard Survey

Third- through eighth-grade students explore the environmental health and layout of their schoolyard. This empowering map-making and habitat survey takes place both in and out of the classroom, addressing environmental changes in New York City and how students can identify, create and help sustain nature not only in their schoolyard, but also in other green or open city spaces.

Restoration Conversation

Third- through eighth-grade students consider ideas of restoration and stewardship and think about the technical and biological aspects involved in restoring their community/schoolyard. NYRP educators outline the processes required to restore land and live in harmony with nature, empowering teachers with lessons and resources that infuse environmental education into science, math, language arts and other core subjects, as well as activities involving inquiry-based problem-solving.

Watershed Walk

Third- through eighth-grade students go on an observation hike of the community/neighborhood surrounding their schoolyard. They record information into a study that explores where water goes once it hits the ground, what it picks up on its way, the impact of pollution and how green spaces can help with stormwater runoff issues in a watershed.

Don’t Shout, Speak Out

Fifth- through eighth-grade students organize ideas and express views about what is important to them in their community. This educational and entertaining mock town meeting stages a debate about an invented development proposal and challenges students to devise creative ways to revitalize an under-used plot of land in their community.

Talkin’ Trees

Students of all ages visit NYRP’s Swindler Cove campus to investigate an urban forest and learn how to identify New York City-based trees and plants by their size, shape, leaves, bark and flowers. Discussions cover how a tree lives, how it helps human lives and how it should be cared for.