Join rangers from the National Park Service, local artist Samsam Graves and Gotham Taxidermy’s Divya Anantharaman for a free art workshop. Plant pressing is a method for preserving plants by flattening and drying them between sheets of paper.

Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own flowers and other materials as well.

More information on the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and how to get there, is available here.

Learn about Winter’s most iconic bird: the cardinal! This event for kids and families will include a read-along of a book about cardinals, followed by an opportunity for children to create their very own cardinal with fingerpainting. This will be a fully indoor activity, with materials provided.

More information on the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and how to get there, is available here.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join NYC Bird Alliance at Floyd Bennett Field, one of NYC's top spots for spotting winter wildlife! This former airfield-turned-natural haven offers a variety of habitats, from marshes to meadows, making it the perfect place to spot winter visitors like shovelers, scoters, and mergansers. 

The group will meet at the Ryan Visitor Center

Note on Accessibility:

This area contains paved and unpaved paths. Parking is available right near the meeting location. For more details of directions to Floyd Bennett Field, visit the National Park Service's website. 

Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on March 8th! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.

In light of the upcoming equinox, when day and night become the same length, we will learn about nocturnal animals at Jamaica Bay, such as bats, owls, moths, and horseshoe crabs. Where do they live and what do they eat? How do they get around in the dark? We’ll explore these questions through themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.

Registration Details Coming Soon

Each Park Pals session will have a different theme and activities. The next Park Pals will be held on April 12th.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on April 12th! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.

The April session will focus on the special signs of spring at Jamaica Bay, such as blooming flowers, the return of migrating birds, and the re-emergence of hibernating animals such as terrapin turtles. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a spring scavenger hunt in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.

Registration information coming soon.

Each Park Pals session will have a different theme and activities. The next Park Pals will be held on May 10th.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on 5/10! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.

The May session will focus on the spring flowers of Jamaica Bay and their important role in the ecosystem and food chain of Jamaica Bay. What are the parts of a flower? How does a flower go from a seed to a bloom? Which of our animal friends like to eat from flowers? We’ll explore these questions through themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a flower exploration walk in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.

Registration information coming soon.

Join JBRPC, American Littoral Society, New York City Audubon, and Gateway National Recreation Area for the Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival!

Attendees will meet at Broad Channel American Park to see Horseshoe Crabs on the shoreline and learn about their ecological and medicinal importance! Horseshoe crabs, nicknamed “living fossils,” come ashore around Jamaica Bay this time of year to lay millions of eggs.

Registration information coming soon

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, New York City Audubon Society, and Gateway National Recreation Area for the 20th Annual Shorebird Festival.

August is the perfect time to explore the diversity of New York City’s shorebirds! The Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay is a partnership among NYC Audubon, American Littoral Society, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and Gateway National Recreation Area. Join us in learning all about these beautiful birds and explore the natural habitat of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, filled with marshland, fresh and brackish water ponds, and grassy fields.

Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

This festival is kid-friendly and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join JBRPC and Marine Park Alliance for Park Pals Pop Up at the Carro Center in Marine Park on 9/27!

Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the park.

Registration information coming soon.

The Raptorama festival is an annual event, presented by the American Littoral Society, with NYC Bird Alliance, Gotham Taxidermy, Gateway NPS, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and Wildlife Center of Long Island. While this event is free, donations to support this festival would be appreciated.

Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to learn about the hawks and owls of Jamaica Bay:

• See some of these amazing raptors during a live demonstration, and go on walks with experts to get a look at hawk species flying south for the winter.

• Participate in activities with our partners and friends in the tabling area in front of the Visitor Center!

• Stop at the Junior (Raptor) Ranger table to grab a Jr. Ranger activity book, then explore and earn your Junior Ranger badge!

• Borrow binoculars for free at the Visitor Center Desk & observe raptors during peak migration!

Support provided by the Fund for the City of New York and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.

For more information contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or don@littoralsociety.org.

Join JBRPC and Marine Park Alliance for Park Pals Pop Up at the Carro Center in Marine Park on 9/27!

Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the park.

Registration information coming soon.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join JBRPC and Marine Park Alliance for Park Pals Pop Up at the Carro Center in Marine Park on 9/27!

Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the park.

Registration information coming soon.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.

Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.

The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.