Many people flock to Madison Square Park to experience the lush greenspace and take a respite from city life. But the park isn’t just a backyard and playspace for our community—it’s a vital space for many local and migratory wildlife species.

Madison Square Park, like many natural areas in the United States, is threatened by climate change. In April 2021, we introduced our Sustainability program in order to provide necessary support for the wildlife that have called the park home for generations, and to help restore the species that have been lost over time.

The initiative began with a year of ecological action. We observed the species found in Madison Square Park and studied the habitats and food sources the park provides to sustain these species and their future generations.

WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU

With help from our staff, neighbors, and partners, we are conducting a year-long survey of wildlife that currently call Madison Square Park home. Community members of all ages can take part in our Seasonal Scavenger Hunts or join a bioblitz like the City Nature Challenge. These events provide opportunities for people to not only explore the park, but to also make observations of what they discover on the iNaturalist mobile app. The data collected is then used to help Madison Square Park Conservancy plan for the future of the park, and provides valuable data for scientists across New York City and around the world.

GREENSPACES WORKING TOGETHER

Protecting NYC’s native plants and wildlife is not a solo endeavor, which is why we invite our community and other greenspaces to join us in learning together and making change. By providing information and tools to others, we can help our community create a new, ecologically-minded metropolis.

For our part, we are planting more native species to support local wildlife, and we encourage our partners to do the same. In the past year we published a Guide to Restoring Native Plants in NYC, which helps fellow New Yorkers choose which native plants they can include in their garden, outdoor space, or terrace planter to help restore wildlife populations that keep native food webs healthy and balanced.

JOIN US

We invite our community and other greenspaces to join us in making change. Together, we will ensure that our favorite wildlife can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Consider joining our newsletter to stay up-to-date on everything happening at the park, and keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events including:

• Monthly Wildlife Walks
• The City Nature Challenge BioBlitz (April 29–May 2)
• Pollinator Picnic (May 21)