Seeds to Trees provides outdoor field experiences and hands-on classroom activities for elementary and middle school students. Students will be introduced to science and nature in fun and engaging ways, whether through studying biodiversity, urban wildlife, forest ecology or healthy waterways.
2nd – 6th Grade
Year Round: October to June
Spring: March to June
Our Seeds to Trees introduces students to urban ecology and nature in NYC Parks through a combination of guided hands-on classroom activities, virtual field experiences and expert teacher training—all lead by our skilled science educators.
In our fully in-person program, students explore the dynamics of urban ecosystems through hands-on activities and standards-aligned science content, in both classroom sessions and field trips to NYC parks. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and abilities in every lesson. Through the stimulating concepts of field exploration, technology, stewardship and project-based science, we are committed to helping teachers and students meet academic objectives, mandated science curricula and the New York State Science Learning Standards.
Calling high school and college students! Every year, we seek out enthusiastic students looking to gain hands-on experience working with youth and explore environmental science education.
CityParks Learn works with several schools per year in order to ensure high-quality, in-depth partnerships. We concentrate our programming in high-needs communities, often with real environmental challenges, whose youth face barriers to educational achievement. Our goal is to work with students for a minimum of 2 years during the school day and to offer after-school, summer, and intern programs for adolescents interested in continuing their learning.
For more information on Seeds to Trees or to become a school partner in 2024/2025, contact education@cityparksfoundation.org.
Generous private support for CityParks Seeds to Trees is provided by The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, The Linda B. and Howard S. Stern Family Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and the Rose M. Badgeley Charitable Trust. Generous public support is provided by the NYC Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams, including Council Member Amanda FarÃas, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Council Member Chi Ossé, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, and Council Member Althea Stevens.
In Partnership with NYC Parks.
Download our fun worksheets and discover New York’s urban forests
Discover more about the animals in our living collection!
Have you ever seen a crested gecko? Could you identify a corn snake? Learn more about the creatures with the help of our educators and our animal friends found in our collection.
Learn more about the animals in our living collection on our YouTube channel.
Because of you, NYC’s kids are learning how to protect our environment and being introduced to a new sport for life, community volunteers are transforming a green space in need of care, and free world-class performing arts are being brought to our parks all around the city—all for free. When you support City Parks Foundation's free programs, you are helping our parks, our communities, and our city thrive.
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