This Weekend: Peak Color at NYBG!
Posted in Programs and Events on October 31 2014, by Lansing Moore
NYBG’s trees are at 90% of peak color, jumping from 60% on Wednesday! Our Foliage Tracker has been going haywire this week as leaf season arrives in full force, just in time for the first of our Fall Forest Weekends. Autumn at the NYBG is at its most dazzling right now, and we have a full lineup of exciting activities to complete your experience of the colorful and serene woods. See live birds of prey, watch a master woodcarver at work, and even paddle a canoe down the Bronx River as you admire the Thain Family Forest from the best possible vantage point. Click through for the full schedule.
Don’t forget, The Holiday Train Show® opens for another year in just two weeks—November 15th! Tickets are available now for preferred dates going into the peak season, as well as for Bar Car Nights, so be sure to book as soon as you can for these popular events.
Saturday, November 1
Fall Forest Weekends – 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Explore the Thain Family Forest, the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in New York City, and immerse yourself in the magnificent colors of fall foliage. See the Forest from a different perspective with a scenic canoe trip down the Bronx River and spot birds that call this woodland home. Tree-climbing demonstrations, guided tours, and more make for an unforgettable autumn experience.
Tours of the Thain Family Forest
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 (meets 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
Canoe Trips on the Bronx River – 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2, & 3 p.m.
Limited spaces available; first-come, first-served basis
Sign up at the Waterfall Trail Canoe Portage
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.
Bird Beat-Boxing – 12 & 2 p.m.
Across from the Native Plant Garden entrance
Amateur “bird-boxer” Ben Mirin entertains with a twist on traditional bird calling, integrating modern beat-boxing into his method of attracting birds.
Tree Climbing Demonstrations – 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30 p.m.
Near the Thain Family Forest entrance along Azalea Way
Find out what it’s like to take care of the Forest’s trees! Watch an arborist climb to amazing heights and get a new perspective on the Garden.
Raptors: Live Birds of Prey Demonstrations – 1 & 3 p.m.
Across from the Native Plant Garden entrance
Hawks and owls deftly swoop through the air, alert for prey. Their unique design and deadly talons place them at the top of the food chain. Learn how to identify these birds while gaining a greater understanding of their adaptations and habitats.
Sunday, November 2
Fall Forest Weekends – 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Explore the Thain Family Forest, the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in New York City, and immerse yourself in the magnificent colors of fall foliage. See the Forest from a different perspective with a scenic canoe trip down the Bronx River and spot birds that call this woodland home. Tree-climbing demonstrations, guided tours, and more make for an unforgettable autumn experience.
Tours of the Thain Family Forest
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 (meets 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
Canoe Trips on the Bronx River – 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2, & 3 p.m.
Limited spaces available; first-come, first-served basis
Sign up at the Waterfall Trail Canoe Portage
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.
Bird Beat-Boxing – 12 & 2 p.m.
Across from the Native Plant Garden entrance
Amateur “bird-boxer” Ben Mirin entertains with a twist on traditional bird calling, integrating modern beat-boxing into his method of attracting birds.
Tree Climbing Demonstrations – 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30 p.m.
Near the Thain Family Forest entrance along Azalea Way
Find out what it’s like to take care of the Forest’s trees! Watch an arborist climb to amazing heights and get a new perspective on the Garden.
Raptors: Live Birds of Prey Demonstrations – 1 & 3 p.m.
Across from the Native Plant Garden entrance
Hawks and owls deftly swoop through the air, alert for prey. Their unique design and deadly talons place them at the top of the food chain. Learn how to identify these birds while gaining a greater understanding of their adaptations and habitats.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Tree-rific Trees – 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
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!
Dig, Plant, Grow: Goodnight, Garden – 1:30–6 p.m.
Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Join us as we prepare the garden for the change in seasons. Plant a cover crop, bury bulbs before the frost, and grab a rake to gather all of the fallen leaves.
Mario Batali’s Kitchen Gardens – 1:30–6 p.m.
Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Kids can explore with Mario’s Menu Mystery game, featuring favorite vegetables and herbs from nine of his restaurants’ kitchens, including Otto and Del Posto.
Cooking Demonstrations – 2 & 4 p.m.
At the Whole Foods Market® Family Garden Kitchen
From late spring into early fall, learn to cook up flavorful new recipes using garden-fresh ingredients, twice a day on Wednesdays and weekends in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.
Sponsored by Whole Foods Market and Viking
