Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

If you’re taking a walk at the Preserve, stop by the courtyard outside the Office and Gallery to learn more about the Preserve and the living things around you. Our Natural Resource Specialist will be available to answer your questions about wildlife and plant life, this year’s environmental stewardship and habitat restoration programs, citizen science projects, and volunteer opportunities.

Sunday | 9 AM – 11:30 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Have you ever wondered what kinds of trees you see when walking through the Preserve? John McShane will lead a ½ hour tree identification walk around the lake to discuss some key skills on how to identify them. John will also discuss how and why leaves change color in the fall. John taught “Tree Identification” at the New York Botanical Garden for many years and worked as a naturalist for several nature preserves in Westchester. He now lives in Washington, DC. Free and open to the public. Suggested for age 10+. Meet in the Preserve courtyard next to the Office and Gallery.

Saturday | 10 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Our forests, fields, and wetlands provide crucial habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, pollinators, and insects. Join our environmental stewardship team to combat the major threats to our environment head on! Whether you’re digging up invasives or planting native trees, you’ll be learning about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it every step of the way. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about our local plants and wildlife, or best practices for ecological management. No experience is necessary. Make a difference today by registering for this event at www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.eventbrite.com or by calling Julia at 914-631-1470 x107.

10 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Our forests, fields, and wetlands provide crucial habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, pollinators, and insects. Join our environmental stewardship team to combat the major threats to our environment head on! Whether you’re digging up invasives or planting native trees, you’ll be learning about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it every step of the way. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about our local plants and wildlife, or best practices for ecological management. No experience is necessary. Make a difference today by registering for this event at www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.eventbrite.com or by calling Julia at 914-631-1470 x107.

10 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Hosted by the Friends of Rockefeller State Park Preserve, this event is a classic that everyone loves! With the beautiful fall foliage, Rockefeller Preserve provides the perfect backdrop for an autumn run. With challenging hills and wide carriage roads, this is the perfect race for experienced trail runners and first timers. If you are familiar with the Rockies, test your stamina and charge those uphills! First 5K? The well marked course and friendly volunteers will make it enjoyable from start to finish. Overall and age group awards, t-shirts, and refreshments. Please visit www.friendsrock.org/rockys-5k to learn more and register for this event!

Saturday | 9 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | Early registration: $30 and day of registration: $35 | All ages

Come birding with SMRA! Beginners encouraged. Meet at the Pocantico/Sleepy Hollow Road entrance of Rockefeller State Park Preserve. More info at www.sawmillriveraudubon.org.

Monday | 8:30 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Missy Fabel and Dawn Orza will lead a 1-hour nature walk around the lake to show you what kinds of native and invasive plants are at the Preserve and some key skills on how to identify them. They will also discuss what we’re doing at the Preserve to protect native plants and why. Missy is a member of The Native Plant Center’s Steering Committee and volunteer coordinator of the Go Native U certificate program. Dawn is training to be a Cornell Master Naturalist, and has been working on eliminating invasives from the woodlands and replanting native plants in a private Westchester County estate. Meet in the Welcome Center courtyard. Free and open to the public.

Suggested for ages 10+ Saturday | 9 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Come birding with SMRA! Beginners encouraged. Meet in the main parking lot of Rockefeller State Park Preserve. More info at www.sawmillriveraudubon.org.

Monday | 8:30 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Wild territory is shrinking, forcing wildlife to live closer to people. Frank Vincenti of the Wild Dog Foundation, will teach you more about eastern coyotes, and answer any questions you may have about coyotes, their ecological role, and/or how to coexist with them. Coyotes are both exciting to observe in the wild and crucial in regulating and maintaining a healthy ecosystem in Rockefeller Preserve. This event will take place in the Gallery at Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Registration is required at www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.eventbrite.com. Before or after the talk, you are invited to view our complimentary exhibit WILD LIFE: Carnivores of Rockefeller State Park Preserve.

Sunday | 2 PM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Save the date for an evening of fine wine and food hosted by the Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. A curated selection of wines, perfectly paired with a five-course menu by Sterling Affairs. Tickets and information coming soon. Visit www.friendsrock.org to learn more!

Saturday | 6 PM – 10 PM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve

If you're taking a walk at the Preserve, stop by the courtyard outside the Office and Gallery to learn more about the Preserve and the living things around you. Our Natural Resource Specialist will be available to answer your questions about wildlife and plant life, this year's environmental stewardship and habitat restoration programs, citizen science projects, and volunteer opportunities.

Sunday | 9 AM – 11:30 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Our forests, fields, and wetlands provide crucial habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, pollinators, and insects. Join our environmental stewardship team to combat the major threats to our environment head on! Whether you're digging up invasives or planting native trees, you'll be learning about what you're doing and why you're doing it every step of the way. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about our local plants and wildlife, or best practices for ecological management. No experience is necessary. Make a difference today by registering for this event at www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.eventbrite.com or by calling Julia at 914-631-1470 x107.

Wednesday | 10 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Join the artists, ecologists, and park workers, for a reception free and open to the public.

Sunday | 1 PM – 3 PM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages

Our forests, fields, and wetlands provide crucial habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, pollinators, and insects. Join our environmental stewardship team to combat the major threats to our environment head on! Whether you're digging up invasives or planting native trees, you'll be learning about what you're doing and why you're doing it every step of the way. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about our local plants and wildlife, or best practices for ecological management. No experience is necessary. Make a difference today by registering for this event at www.rockefellerstateparkpreserve.eventbrite.com or by calling Julia at 914-631-1470 x107.

Sunday | 10 AM | Rockefeller State Park Preserve | FREE | All ages