New York City Forestry Service, New York

The Trip

Get the insider’s look at the New York Botanical Garden, named “a New York Masterpiece” by the New York Times. The 250-acre garden is comprised of global ecosystems (from desert to tropical rainforest), a 50-acre old-growth forest, and a Victorian glasshouse, all in the historic Bronx Borough. Established in 1891, the New York Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark. The land was purchased from the Lorillards, early tobacconists.

We will stay in Manhattan and spend some time touring natural highlights and Big Apple bites. Evenings bring an opportunity for cultural experiences, including Broadway shows and musical events. 

The Project

We will be working in the Thain Family Forest, the largest remnant of old-growth forest in New York City. We will be assisting with fall maintenance and invasive species removal. In the past we removed the lesser celandine, a low lying invasive, which required patience and care to extract properly. Other possibilities may be Japanese Honeysuckle, Amur honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven, and garlic mustard. The foresters will direct us to the specific tasks needed. Equipment will be provided by the garden. We will work four days, about six hours a day, enjoying conservation talks and tours at lunchtime.

The trip begins Sunday evening with dinner. We will tour the city after dinner on Sunday and all day Monday. Tuesday through Friday are work days. We will quickly eat breakfast at the hostel, pack lunches, and walk to the subway (about two blocks). A relaxing 20-minute subway ride drops us about eight blocks from the Garden. You may choose an urban hike or take the bus to The NYBG. At noon we break for lunch, and usually a conservation program too. We finish up our work at 3:30 p.m. Then we will repeat the bus/walk/subway/walk back to our hostel. Be prepared to walk about four to five miles daily, to and from New York Botanical Garden, in the garden, and to attend events in the evening.

After a catered dinner Tuesday through Friday, we have the option to attend a variety of performances as a group. The last day of the trip is Saturday, a day to spend as you chose, concluding with a farewell dinner at an ethnic restaurant. Dinners and lunches away from the hostel, plus evening entertainment, are at participants' expense.

Getting There

The closest airports are La Guardia, JFK, and Newark. Shuttles, taxis, and bus services are available from the airports to the hostel. Buses and trains are another option to reach the city. Once in the city, participants will buy a seven-day metro card. These can be purchased upon arrival or on Sunday night as we head out on the town. It is best not to drive into New York since parking is limited and expensive. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at a very comfortable dormitory-style hostel. Bedding and towels are provided. Small suitcase-sized lockers are available in each room. Bring a padlock to secure the locker.

Restrooms and showers are shared, modern, same-sex facilities. Breakfasts will be served in the hostel. Most lunches and dinners will be catered. Please speak with the trip leader regarding special dietary needs before signing up for this trip.

Trip Difficulty

The work will be moderate gardening and trail work. We will work in any weather, maintaining trails and weeding. Training and support will be provided by garden staff. Participants are not expected to exceed their capabilities. However, some walking is necessary -- up to five miles per day. Participants should expect to work five to six hours per day.

Equipment and Clothing

The trip leader will provide a list of recommended clothing to approved trip participants. 

References

Websites:

• New York Botanical Garden website: www.nybg.org

Books:

• Sanderson, Manahatta, A Natural History of New York City.
• Ultan and Unger, Bronx Accent: A Literary and Pictorial History of the Borough.
• Burrows and Wallace, Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898.
• The New York Botanical Garden: A Guide for Visitors.
• Long, Gregory and Anne Skillion, The New York Botanical Garden.

DVDs:

• Treasures of New York

Conservation

The New York Botanical Garden is working to actively manage the forest by limiting or removing exotic species and creating opportunities for native species to flourish. This is a small remnant of the original forest that covered what became New York City. Its conservation is important as a record of historical significance and source of enjoyment for garden visitors.

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.