Spring Plant ID Walk (Ridgewood Reservoir)

Join naturalist Caitlin Lynch to observe and learn about plants at the Ridgewood Reservoir.

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Caitlin Lynch is an urban naturalist, environmental scientist and plant aficionado based in Brooklyn. She has worked with the NYC Parks Department, Natural Areas Conservancy, and NYC H20 on a myriad of restoration, stewardship, and ecological surveying projects throughout the city.

New York City is home to over 1,300 native plants and many other naturalized species that provide ecosystem services including specialized habitat, food, and a host of medical and other uses. The grounds of Ridgewood Reservoir, located in Highland Park, have been maintained and managed to restore many of the native plant species to this area. The late summer/early fall is an ideal time for plant ID in the Northeast with its abundance of late blooming flowers, seed/fruit formations, and early leaf color changes.

During this ~1 hour walk, Caitlin will teach about common and scientific plant names, how to identify certain species, their characteristics, their family relationships, their uses (ecological and social) and some botanic terms. The tour will include weedy plants, herbaceous plants, flowering plants, trees, grasses and common invasives. Participants are encouraged to contribute knowledge, ask questions and store their observations in their plant ID app of choice. The tour route will include the West Causeway and other park areas.

Appropriate for all ages and all levels. Event is rain or shine but may be rescheduled in the case of storm conditions.