Queens Out of Doors

Forget the big stores and long lines for gift shopping! Kevin Sims from Down to Earth Markets at Cunningham Park is like your own personal shopper full of gift — and entertaining — suggestions from his market. Down to Earth Market at Cunningham Park Outdoor Highlights Post-Thanksgiving Hike: The Alley Giant Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife Junior Naturalist: Winter Science Sampler

Queens garden advocate Maureen Regan talks about her organization, Green Earth Urban Gardens, and the variety of wonderful programs she offers. Green Earth Urban Gardens Green Earth Urban Gardens Facebook page Green Earth Urban Gardens Instagram page Outdoor Highlights Doggie Day Hike at Forest Park Winter Waterfowl Workshop at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Nature Exploration: Captain Tilly Park Bir...

Outdoor highlights for this weekend! Native American Heritage Month: Native Americans Ethnobotany Astronomy: The Beaver Moon Birding: Familiar Backyard Birds

Trees might get all the attention now for their fall color, but did you know that grasses, particularly native ones, are also looking gorgeous now too? Explore with me and special guest, Margaret Fox-Jackson of Fox-Jackson Designs. Great Trees of New York City Nominate a Great Tree of New York City It’s In Queens Monthly Picks of It’s In Queens — my article! Outdoor Highlights: Remote Sensing Work...

NYC is a great place so it’s no wonder there’s a Great Trees of New York City list. Let’s explore the ones in Queens that made the list! Great Trees of New York City Nominate a Great Tree of New York City It’s In Queens Monthly Picks of It’s In Queens — my article! Outdoor Highlights: Remote Sensing Workshop Series for Teens Autumn Appreciation Hike Outdoor Skills: Knot Tying

LOADS of fall weekend fun on the 30th episode of the podcast! No chance of being bored! Queens Botanical Garden: Horticulture Community Volunteer Day Pumpkin Patch Halloween at the Garden Queens Farm Museum: Amazing Maize Maze Halloween on the Farm Pumpkin Patch Fort Tilden Hawk Watch and Yelp listing for location City of Forest Day events Juniper Valley Park Fall Festival Fall Festival at Wayanda...

Can you imagine on flying 2,000 miles with a wing span of just 4 inches? Nope — I can’t either! But our local monarch butterflies do that and more. Check them out on this episode! Monarch migration Monarch life cycle Monarch conservation Outdoor Highlights Links: Amateur Astronomers Association at the Arverne East Nature Preserve Queens Night Market Amazing Maize Maze by Moonlight (plus Pumpkin Pa...

A walk on the beach got me pondering about the moon jellyfish I saw on the shoreline, and the other jelly creatures of our waters. Outdoor Highlights Links: Apothecary Fridays Raptormania at Jamaica Bay Historical Baseball Game Re-creation Brookville Park Fall Festival Bayswater Park Fall Festival Harvest Time at Bay 84th Street Community Garden Insect Ecology and Conservation Awareness Indigenous...

They’re a New Yorker, for sure — a bit brassy, cunning, savvy, adaptable, sometimes solitary, sometimes social, often nocturnal but not always, wears cool sunglasses regularly, likes all sorts of cuisines, and can’t resist dumpster diving if it looks intriguing. Important links: Wildlife NYC: Raccoons NYC Parks: Raccoons Outdoor Highlights Links: 41st Annual Queens Agricultural Fair Monarch and Po...

Forest Park is a huge, beautiful park and there’s a special little area that’s perfect for recreation or relaxing. Come explore the Overlook with me! Important links: Overlook at Forest Park Forest Park Outdoor Highlights Links: Forest Park Stewardship Event Community Gardens and Cultural Roots Urban Wildlife: Raccoons

My local blue jays are providing me with a very natural -- though jarring! -- wake up call for the last several mornings. So I'm doing a species deep dive to learn more about this beautiful, bold bird! Important links: All About Birds: Blue Jay Outdoor Highlights Links: International Coastal Cleanup Day on 9/21/2024 Basic Canoeing East Arverne Nature Preserve Planting — contact don@littoralsociety...

Long for an exotic outdoor vacation but an arctic expedition or a safari aren't in the cards? No worries -- Queens has plenty of options for a nature and outdoorsy vacation! Important links: Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk Riis Park Beach Sail Rockaway Yacht Rock Charters NYC Surfing Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Fort Totten Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Bike/Boat Rentals Fl...

Willow Lake is an unexpected nature sanctuary that's part of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Come and explore! Important links: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Willow Lake Trail Map Willow Lake Park Highlights Willow Lake History

Want to deal with crowds and traffic this holiday weekend? Be my guest! But better yet — stay close to home and enjoy these terrific Labor Day weekend events! Important links: NYC Parks events in Queens this weekend Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge walk Saturday morning Beginner Kayaking at Riis Landing Saturday afternoon Jamaica Bay 101 Saturday afternoon It’s My Park at Bowne Playground on Saturday m...

NYC Parks Department has a fascinating and illuminating interactive map called the Vital Park Explorer. Let’s check out how Queens ranks! Important links: Vital Parks general information Vital Parks Explorer Outdoor Highlights: Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival Tomato Celebration at Queens Farm Museum Art Workshop at Little Bay Park

Wow! I knew the Parks Department was mapping trees under their care but had NO idea how comprehensive that list was and that it was available to all of us as a terrific interactive map. Important links: New York City Tree Map Outdoor Highlights: Beginner Fishing Workshop at Bowne Park Orchid Watercolor Workshop at Queens Botanical Garden Insect Ecology and Conservation Awareness at Highland Park

I was stuck near the park on flooded roads and got thinking about the landscape of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park before it was a park. And then I got thinking about the really long name. So once I finally got home, the research began and I’m here to say that I have ALL the answers to my questions! Important links: Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Outdoor Highlights: Idewild Community Peace Gardening at...

Sure hope you’re hungry…and if you’re not now, after listening to this episode, you will be! You know I love a picnic and I have the same fondess for a BBQ. And the wonderful folks over at the Down to Earth Farmer’s Market at Cunningham Park has you covered for a terrific al fresco meal. Market Manager Kevin fills us in. Important links: Down to Earth Markets NYC Parks designated BBQ areas

I’m a big fan of rodents and high on my favorite list is our common Eastern Gray Squirrel. In fact, the title of this episode is part of a poem I remember as a little kid. Here’s your chance to learn why these every day creatures are wonderful animals. Enjoy!

It’s a short episode this time as I’m a bit pressed for time. But there are some neat events coming up this weekend! Show notes: Alley Pond Forest Restoration: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2024/07/19/alley-pond-park-forest-restoration Restoration Fridays at Highland Park: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/highland-park/events/2024/07/19/719-restoration-fridays-at-highland-park Sunset Concert...

You say firefly, I say lightning bug; you say Photuris , I say Photinus …let’s call it off and learn about the summertime insect illuminators!

On a holiday weekend, sometimes it’s nice to just stay local — and I mean REALLY local! Here are a few little green spaces near me where I can get away from it all (sort of) without getting into traffic.

Baby, it’s HOT outside! So here are some suggestions to keep cool.

I’ve heard the question so many times: Queens has a botanical garden? Yes it does — and you must visit this sweet 39-acre urban oasis .

Yippee for this great day! Listen for my favorite three picnic spots in Queens.