Time spent in nature is rejuvenating and can increase our resilience and joy. It can take us into “deep time,” or geologic time, as we admire the city’s magnolia and dawn redwood trees, both from the time of the dinosaurs (before there were even bees). It can also bring us into the present moment and remind us that we ourselves are part of nature, not outside of it. 

Nature, in all its beauty, is not elsewhere. It is not exclusively to be found in a pristine national park (which is, in fact, more extensively managed by humans than you may imagine). It is right here, in front of you, wherever you are. 

Open your eyes 

Nature can be enjoyed by watching the ever-changing clouds above your head and the sky filled with hawks, pigeons and gulls coasting on wind currents. It is in the soil, along with ladybugs, beetles and worms. The smallest crack in the pavement is sprouting a dandelion or windblown flower, and any abandoned lot is rich with life, from plants to insects and animals. 

Here in the five boroughs, we live alongside raccoons and opossums, deer and wild turkeys (on Staten Island), red foxes in the Bronx and on Staten Island and the occasional coyote and skunk in Central Park. You can find multiple varieties of turtles, salamanders, crabs, sandpipers, herons and egrets on city beaches, wetlands and waterways. 

In the “fly-through” seasons of spring and fall, you can enjoy watching a host of exotic birds migrating through the city on their journeys north or south. The more you are aware of your surroundings, the more wildlife you will see. Whales can now be spotted in the New York harbor, dolphins and sharks in the Rockaways and harbor seals on Staten Island. 

Breathe deep 

Street trees clean our air and soil, create shade and lower summer temperatures. But New York City has more than just street trees: it boasts 6,800 acres of forests within the five boroughs, including several old growth forests, believe it or not! 

Only 1% of forests in the Northeastern U.S. are old growth, which have been shown to support more biodiversity, store more carbon and improve water and air quality more than younger natural areas. Here are a few of the old growth forests in the city: 

The Thain Family Forest is a 50-acre forest in the Bronx within the New York Botanical Garden. Trees here predate the American Revolution by centuries, and you can walk along paths that follow the original hunting trails of the Lenape Native Americans. 

Inwood Hill Park has Manhattan’s largest (at 196 acres) — and only — remaining old growth forest. It is also one of the few areas where you can experience the original topography of the island. 

Alley Pond Park in Queens, at 645 acres, contains some of the oldest forest in the region, with native tulip, oak and beech trees that are among the largest in the city. 

Green exercise and nature close to home 

Many studies show that time spent in nature, including city parks, improves mood. Exercising in nature, from dog walking to jogging or working out, is called “green exercise,” and has been correlated to improved well-being. Best of all, it’s free! 

You can also engage with nature at close range by gardening indoors and out. If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space, you can beautify it with a variety of plants for all seasons. Indoor plants can also brighten your mood and improve your air quality.