Garden Trees, Insects & Birds

The Garden Trees, Insects & Birds field trip begins with a discussion on the plant kingdom from the smallest algae to acorns and trees. Identifying trees is the main focus, and the tour highlights pines, tupelos, sweetgum, goldenrain, gingko, and a variety of oaks. Participants then use leaf stamps to mark different tree species on maps as they find them during a plant hunt.

Major insect orders, aquatic insects, and insect diversity are also emphasized because of the role that insects play in the environment, particularly for pollination and to provide food for songbirds. One native oak, alone, will support hundreds of beneficial insect guilds while many imported species have none.

During each outing, an effort is made to identify birds, both on the water and in the trees. Key adaptations that help birds find food, migrate, and get around are emphasized.

Student Objectives

• Discuss leaf shapes and arrangements like linear, elliptic, fan, needle and alternate, opposite, whorled
  


• Identify different types of insects and their roles in the environment
  


• Find birds by sight, calls and eggs found in the Park
  


• Examine the interdependence of living thing in our environment

Fill out an application

For details:

Call our Education Department at 212.627.2020 or email.