Walk on the Wild Side! Guided Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge iNaturalist Walk
Join us as we explore the Refuge, using the iNaturalist app to photograph wildlife and learn how you can help scientists and wildlife by becoming a citizen scientist.
Event Information
First launched: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (for the iNaturalist 2026 City Nature Challenge)
🌿 JBWR Description: The JBWR is a 900-acre preserve on the edge of Jamaica Bay, the jewel in the crown of NYC’s ecological resources, with 330 bird species and 107 species of finfish. It’s home to salt marshes, uplands, open bay and beach areas, and two ponds, supporting hundreds of species of plants and wildlife.
🦅 Event Description: Join Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Guardian, wildlife guide and photographer, and Wild City naturalists for a walk on the wild side of our City, as we explore the Refuge, using the iNaturalist app to photograph wildlife. It’s super fun, and our observations will help scientists and conservationists understand the biodiversity of the Refuge and NYC and how to best protect our wildlife.
Host: Co-hosted by Wild City and the American Littoral Society
Joining us: Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Guardian, wildlife guide and photographer, Alex from the American Littoral Society and Wild City naturalists.
🔍 Discover: Learn how you can help scientists and wildlife by becoming a citizen scientist.
✨ Wild Facts: Ordinary people taking casual smartphone photos have accidentally rewritten scientific history by discovering brand-new species and finding animals thought to be completely extinct.
📱 Please bring your: smartphone or tablet with iNaturalist downloaded.
🚌 Accessibility Info: Accessible by A train and bus, with plentiful free vehicle parking in the Visitor Center parking lot.
