Secret Lives of Plants

Meeting Time: 12:00PM - 1:30PM

Meet Location: Entrance to Central Park at 106th Street and Central Park West

These explorations invite both adults and children to immerse themselves in nature and engage with curious plant species in many ways: sensorially (through smell, taste, and touch), intellectually, taxonomically, artistically (through crafts and photography), and through observations of how plants interact with animals and humans. Through millenia of passed-down human experience and relationship with the land, stories, mythology, folklore, and through hands-on observation —- our walks open a space for exploring the ancient spiritual dimensions of plant-human connections. By connecting to specific places on each walk, we also learn about the ancient and ongoing relationships between the Indigenous Matinnecock and other tribal nations that stewarded the lands we now live and walk upon. Exploring the edible, medicinal, historic, and spiritual aspects of our most interesting plant species—and the stories they tell—brings us closer to nature and connects us to our roots and our ancestors across cultures and continents.

As we learn to identify and investigate the secret lives of plants and animals, we uncover how human life is intimately connected with the fragile forests, fields, streams, and beaches. We’ll see how the ecological communities we live in and around sustain us, keep us healthy, and how we can participate in their conservation for future generations.

Join a guided nature walk in Central Park—perfect for families, friends, or individuals looking to explore NYC’s green spaces. Together, we’ll discover New York’s little-known flora, fauna, geology, and land-use history.