This Weekend: Woodland Wonder
Posted in Programs and Events on November 1 2013, by Matt Newman
The spotlight falls on our 50-acre woodland this weekend as we leapfrog past ghouls and ghosts and straight into Fall Forest Weekends! The timing couldn’t be better, either, with the leaves on the trees sitting at just over 50% of peak color. Over the next two weekends, we’ll be making the most of this painted season with canoe trips, Forest tours, tree-climbing courses, woodcarving demonstrations, beer tastings—you get the idea.
My suggestion? Come early, wander a bit to orient yourself, then launch into Saturday’s 11 a.m. Bird Walk with Debbie Becker. That should set you up for the rest of the day’s activities in the Forest while giving you a chance to experience the variety of wildlife that calls the Garden home. There’s a good mix of active and casual events taking place throughout each day, too, so take it all at your own pace!
The weather’s been mild, the colors are bright, and we’re super excited to get outside and enjoy it all. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Saturday, November 2
Bird Walk – 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert to learn about bird-friendly habitats, migrating species, and birds that make a permanent home at the Garden.
Tours of the Thain Family Forest
Daily; Meet at the Forest Orientation Point
Themed discovery walks of the Forest take place throughout each day. Wear comfortable shoes and seasonal attire for the weather.
- 11 a.m Birds of the Forest (Meet at Reflecting Pool)
- 12 p.m. Natural History of the Thain Family Forest
- 1 p.m. Fall Foliage
- 2 p.m. Forest Forays for Families
- 3 p.m. Forest Ecology
Woodcrafting Demonstration – 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Near the Thain Family Forest entrance on Azalea Way
Watch Ivan Braun create unique wooden bowls created from fallen trees of the Garden and learn about the art and value of this craft. Take home one of his unique creations from Shop in the Garden. Shopinthegarden.com
Bronx-based craftsman Ivan Braun has collected wood from felled trees such as yew, red maple, plum, juniper, white oak, cherry, apple, and zelkova (a Japanese elm), crafting them into exquisite bowls and vases. He turns each piece by hand, letting the individual character and form of the tree influence the final shape, making each truly one of a kind. In addition to working with wood all his life, he has worked for several nonprofit social-service organizations.
Citizen Science at the Garden – 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Throughout the Forest
NYBG volunteers have been tracking the tree cycles of leaf, flower, and fruit development for more than 5 years. They will help you look closer at the trees within the Forest, giving you an entirely new perspective from the trails. Get help with tree and plant identification so you can explore the trees in your neighborhood more closely. Learn more about how you can be part of this ongoing project.
Canoe Trips on the Bronx River – 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2, & 3 p.m.
Limited spaces available; first-come, first-served basis
Enjoy a short paddle on the Bronx River with the Bronx River Alliance and experience the beauty of this reclaimed local gem, home to an incredible variety of fish, birds, and even beaver! The Alliance works toward the conservation of the river as an ecological, economic, and community resource.
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows. The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to achieve these goals.
Beer Tastings with Bronx Beer Hall – 12–4 p.m.
Nestled in the heart of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, The Bronx Beer Hall is the borough’s latest hot spot. They offer the complete selection of the Jonas Bronck’s Beer Co.’s original craft beers, as well as an original menu curated by Chef David Greco of Mike’s Deli notoriety. Whether shopping for groceries or perusing the bustling streets of the Bronx’s Little Italy, The Bronx Beer Hall is the perfect place to kick back, grab a bite and enjoy a cold one.
The weekends’ samples: The New York Chocolate Egg Cream Stout and Mr. October Ale
Tree Climbing Demonstration by an Arborist – 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30 p.m.
Near the Thain Family Forest entrance on Azalea Way
Find out what it is like to take care of the Forest trees! Watch an arborist climb to amazing heights and get a new perspective on the Garden. Their job is important for maintaining healthy trees. Sign up for a class on November 9, the Recreational Tree Climbing Workshop, during which you can climb a tree too!
Home Gardening Demonstration: Birds, Berries, and Color – 2 p.m.
In the Native Plant Garden
Join us to explore how you can create colorful garden habitats that will attract birds and bees. Learn which plants will help you entice creatures into your garden and keep the garden ablaze in the late season.
Sunday, November 3
Tours of the Thain Family Forest
Daily; Meet at the Forest Orientation Point
Themed discovery walks of the Forest take place throughout each day. Wear comfortable shoes and seasonal attire for the weather.
- 11 a.m Birds of the Forest (Meet at the Reflecting Pool)
- 12 p.m. Natural History of the Thain Family Forest
- 1 p.m. Fall Foliage
- 2 p.m. Forest Forays for Families
- 3 p.m. Forest Ecology
Citizen Science at the Garden – 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Throughout the Forest
NYBG volunteers have been tracking the tree cycles of leaf, flower, and fruit development for more than 5 years. They will help you look closer at the trees within the Forest, giving you an entirely new perspective from the trails. Get help with tree and plant identification so you can explore the trees in your neighborhood more closely. Learn more about how you can be part of this ongoing project.
Canoe Trips on the Bronx River – 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2, & 3 p.m.
Limited spaces available; first-come, first-served basis
Enjoy a short paddle on the Bronx River with the Bronx River Alliance and experience the beauty of this reclaimed local gem, home to an incredible variety of fish, birds, and even beaver! The Alliance works toward the conservation of the river as an ecological, economic, and community resource.
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows. The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to achieve these goals.
Special Partner Program: Swann’s Way: A Nomadic Reading – 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
At the Bronx River Overlook
As part of a citywide event presented by the French Embassy, French and American writers, artists, scholars, and Marcel Proust fans read from Proust’s Du côté de chez Swann (Grasset, 1913), in a setting that evokes memories of his childhood in the countryside.
Beer Tastings with Bronx Beer Hall – 12–4 p.m.
Nestled in the heart of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, The Bronx Beer Hall is the borough’s latest hot spot. They offer the complete selection of the Jonas Bronck’s Beer Co.’s original craft beers, as well as an original menu curated by Chef David Greco of Mike’s Deli notoriety. Whether shopping for groceries or perusing the bustling streets of the Bronx’s Little Italy, The Bronx Beer Hall is the perfect place to kick back, grab a bite and enjoy a cold one.
The weekends’ samples: The New York Chocolate Egg Cream Stout and Mr. October Ale
Tree Climbing Demonstration by an Arborist – 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30 p.m.
Near the Thain Family Forest entrance on Azalea Way
Find out what it is like to take care of the Forest trees! Watch an arborist climb to amazing heights and get a new perspective on the Garden. Their job is important for maintaining healthy trees. Sign up for a class on November 9, the Recreational Tree Climbing Workshop, during which you can climb a tree too!
Home Gardening Demonstration: Birds, Berries, and Color – 2 p.m.
In the Native Plant Garden
Join us to explore how you can create colorful garden habitats that will attract birds and bees. Learn which plants will help you entice creatures into your garden and keep the garden ablaze in the late season.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Tree-rific Trees
November 1–15
Visit the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden to see the enormous tree cookies of a giant sequoia and a white oak, and can participate in other hands-on fun. Dig deeper into the magnificent world of fall trees, from roots to branches. Learn to think like a scientist and track the changing colors of the leaves. Take a break from your research to count the rings of a giant sequoia and a white oak!