The Secret Lives of Plants in Central Park

🌺Discover the hidden lives of plants on a guided walk through Central Park's diverse habitats in and around the northern portion of the park including the North Woods and Harlem Meer. Smell, touch, and explore nature’s wonders while learning fascinating stories of plants and their interconnections with humans, pollinators, fungi, and other wildlife.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or simply curious about the wonders of the green kingdom, this walk offers the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded nature lovers and deepen your appreciation for the amazing world of plants.

What to Expect
Together, we’ll explore the plants and animals of Central Park’s forested ravine, streams, ponds, and wildlife gardens together—through many lenses: experiential, sensory, artistic, intellectual, and ethnobotanical. We’ll approach the landscape as caretakers, storytellers, and scientists, uncovering how human life is intimately connected to plants, fungi, and wildlife in subtle and surprising ways.

We’ll examine the properties and aromas of different species, their anatomy and reproductive structures, their pollination strategies, and their relationships with the pollinators, fungi, and wildlife they have evolved alongside over thousands—and even millions—of years.

By the end of the walk, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Central Park’s natural history, a renewed sense of connection to the land beneath your feet, and an awakened appreciation for the living world.
Afterwards, you’ll receive an email field report with notes on the plants and wildlife we observed—so you can revisit, share, and build on your discoveries.

Your Guide
Led by David Jakim, MS in Environmental Geology and MA in Science Education, with over 15 years of experience as a field biologist and nature walk leader.

Location
We will meet at 106th Street and Central Park West. This is at the entrance to the Great Hill of Central Park.

Arrival Time
Please arrive 15 minutes early at 11:45 so that the walk can start promptly at 12:00pm.

💲 Suggested Donation
$20 for adults | $10 for children under 12
Please pay on the day of the walk with cash or venmo @David.Jakim. This way we don't have to deal with reimbursements in case of walk cancellations due to weather. (In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced via email at least 6 hours in advance.)

☀ Weather Policy
Walks will be cancelled for heat waves, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. Participants will be notified via Meetup message or email.