By Athena Dawson QNS
A local environmental organization is partnering with the NYC Parks Department and Open Space Partners NYC to celebrate the third anniversary of City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 26th.
Forest For All NYC is hosting over 80 activities across the five boroughs to celebrate the day of action, which aims to raise awareness about New York City’s urban forest. Additionally, City of Forest Day was created to show that New Yorkers play an essential role in caring for the city’s trees and environmental landscape.
Event partners have created programs to teach New Yorkers about caring for trees and their role as the city’s “lungs.” Additionally, over 40 events are held in Polish, Bangla, Urdu, and Spanish and are family-friendly.
Below is a list of events for Saturday, Oct. 26, that Queens residents can take part in.
City of Forest Day with Council Member Nantasha Williams, Big Reuse, and SEQ Clean-Up
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Roy Wilkins Park: Entrance at Foch Blvd. and Merrick Blvd.
Council Member Nantasha Williams, Big Reuse, and SEQ Clean Up are partnering to care for street trees near Roy Wilkins Park. Event attendees can enjoy live music as they clean up Roy Wilkins.
Forest Bathing in Astoria Park
noon – 2 p.m.
Location: Northernmost end of Astoria Park, in the grassy field near the corner of Ditmars Blvd. and 19th St., near the Hellgate Bridge
Vanessa Heller, a certified forest therapy guide, will lead an immersive guided seated and walking meditation to help locals feel at peace and one with nature.
34th Avenue Self-Guided Tree Walk
8 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Location: 34th Ave., 93-11 34th Ave. Jackson Heights
Get to know the trees along Jackson Heights’ 34th Ave. Open Street.
Idlewild Park City of Forest Day Natural Area Restoration
9 a.m.-noon
Location: Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center Parking Lot
Idlewild Park, Jamaica Queens
Volunteers can join NYC Parks and contribute to ongoing restoration efforts at Idlewood Park. Additional activities include education on species diversity to ecosystem health.
Tree Care at Queens Botanical Garden
9:30 a.m.- noon
Queens Botanical Garden 4350 Main St., Flushing
Volunteers will work on caring for trees at Queens Botanical Garden
City of Forest Day Hike: Alley Pond
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Alley Pond Adventure Course
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a nature walk through the forests of Alley Pond Park. Participants will learn about the forest ecology of the surrounding area.
City of Forest Day with Jackson Heights Beautification Group Tree LC
1 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Jackson Heights Post Office 78-02 37th Ave.
City of Forest Day with Jackson Heights Beautification Group Tree LC includes tree stewardship and native pollinator/daffodil plantings.
Forest Park Guided Magic Plant Hike
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Forest Park Park Ln S and Myrtle Ave
The Natural Areas Conservancy will host a guided walk at Forest Park to explore the trail and natural area.
Celebrate Great Trees in Forest Park
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: My Buddy Statue Park Lane South, Richmond Hill
Join NYC Parks to commemorate one of the new Great Trees of New York City in Forest Park.
Colors of Fall: LIC
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Queens Library: LIC 21st St., Long Island City
Celebrate City of Forest Day with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) environmental educators by exploring the colors of urban trees. Participants will learn why leaves change colors in the fall from experiments facilitated by the DEC educators. Nature arts and crafts will also be available at the event.
Original article here.