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Earth Month Celebration 2025

April 1–30, 2025

On-site & Online

Celebrate Earth Month with NYBG and learn to better care for our shared environment now and all year round. Discover how our scientists are advancing research on plants, from the molecular level to a global scale, to protect and restore the natural world. Hear experts on the Plant People podcast as they share ways to reimagine our environment, discussing native plants, lawn alternatives, and plants’ role in mitigating flooding. Plus, do your part in your own community with guides on gardening and nurturing green spaces, pollinator gardens, native plants, and more.

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NYBG Science

NYBG Science is foundational to addressing the dual climate and biodiversity crises. Learn how NYBG is putting its expertise and collections to work to help our planet, from discovering and understanding the plant world to applying science in action.

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Recent Publications and News

Read about NYBG scientists’ latest work in the field:

Gardenista: “What to do about Invasive Plants”

The joe gardener Show with Joe Lamp’l podcast: “All About Ferns with Dr. Emily Sessa”

Science: “Variable impacts of land-based climate mitigation on habitat area for vertebrate diversity”
Co-authored by Evelyn M. Beaury, Ph.D.

Plos: “The children of the Sun and Moon are the gardens”—How people, plants, and a living Sun shape life on Tanna, Vanuatu
Co-authored by Michael Balick, Ph.D. and Gregory Plunkett, Ph.D.

Nature: “Islands are key for protecting the world’s plant endemism”
Co-authored by Gregory Plunkett, Ph.D.

Earth Month Tours

Meet the Scientists

Learn about the innovative research of some of NYBG’s scientists.

A painting of deep sea life and coral in purples, whites, blues, and greens

HII Creative Climate Awards Film Screening

April 20; 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Ross Hall

The Human Impacts Institute (HII) presents a screening of film finalists in their annual Creative Climate Awards, which highlight artists crafting climate-inspired public works and actions. The screening is followed by a talkback Q&A.

Learn More

  • Meet Evelyn Beaury

  • Meet Ana Maria Bedoya

  • Meet Aleca Borsuk

Bronx Green-Up Events

  • Wednesday, April 16; 12 p.m.

    Join us for an engaging and informative Compost Cafe session where we’ll dive into the fascinating world of biochar! Discover its rich history, explore its powerful environmental benefits, and learn how this innovative solution is transforming urban growing spaces. We’ll also explore how biochar can be used to creatively manage organic waste and enhance sustainability in your own community. Get ready for practical tips, inspiring ideas, and a deeper understanding of how biochar can revolutionize urban agriculture! For more information and to register, email bronxgreenup@nybg.org.

  • Saturday, April 26; 12 to 1 p.m.
    Rivers Run Community Garden
    675 Co-Op City Boulevard
    Bronx, NY

    We can all grow something in our home as long as we have a window! Join us at Rivers Run Community Garden as part of their Earth Day Celebration to discover the best plant choices for your specific light conditions, the most beneficial potting soil and soil amendments for your plants, and the optimal watering schedule. Everyone can have a green thumb! For more information and to register, email bronxgreenup@nybg.org.

  • Fridays, April 4, 11, 18, 25; 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
    Karol’s Community Farm
    Entrance across from 2238 Lacombe Ave
    Bronx, NY

    Join the Karol’s Farm crew and Castle Hill Houses community members for a weekly produce distribution and volunteer workday! For more information and to register, email bronxgreenup@nybg.org.

An Image of the forest.

Guided Forest Bathing Tour

April 20; 11 a.m.
Meet at the Visitor Center Reflecting Pool

Experience the ancient Japanese practice of shinrin-yoko (“forest baths”), gentle hour-long talking and breathing tours that enhance tranquility and connectedness through sensory immersion. Slow down, be present, and awaken your senses to the forest as never before on this guided tour. Each tour is led by a certified expert from Treebath.

How to Get Your Garden Ready

Learn gardening basics from Kadeesha Williams—a former Bronx Green-Up Community Horticulturist/Urban Agriculturist now farming with Iridescent Earth Collective—including sowing seeds, turning in cover crops, incorporating compost, and transplanting in videos shot at Taqwa Farm, one of NYBG’s Bronx community partner farms.

Create More Greenspaces

NYBG’s Plant Doctor provides guidance on how to transform your space to restore and foster our local ecosystem with pollinator gardens, native plants, and more.

Take a Class

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Welikia.org 2.0 Launches on Earth Day

Have you ever wondered what your neighborhood looked like 400 years ago? Dive into the historical ecology of New York City with our revamped Welikia.org Map Explorer, launching April 22. Uncover the plants and animals that once thrived on your block, discover the original ecosystems beneath your street, and reconnect with the nature of the city. Now featuring detailed renderings and species data for all five boroughs!

Orange, pink, and purple designs with the words "Plant People"

Plant People Podcast

Plant People brings together scientists, gardeners, authors, activists, and experts in a wide variety of subjects to share the ways plants impact our lives. Get closer to the natural world with us and learn how we rely on plants to thrive as people—and what we can do in ways big and small to return the favor. Listen to the latest episodes on Season 2 and to the top environmental episodes from Season 1 below:

A black and white photo of a person in a flannel jacket putting a band on the leg of a captured bird

From the Library: Grace Coit Meleney

Grace Coit Meleney volunteered at NYBG in the 1970s, assisting paleontologist Herman Becker, Ph.D., in the cataloging of the Garden’s fossil plant specimens. But in her spare time, she attended to one of her greatest passions: bird conservation.

Read More

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Bronx Native × NYBG Earth Day Collection

Shop local this Earth Month with a custom collaboration between entrepreneur Bronx Native and NYBG to bring you a collection inspired by the beauty and history of The Bronx. Each purchase supports the borough’s community and NYBG’s work in plant science research and conservation.

Coming Soon

Location Throughout Garden Grounds

Get Tickets

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