Gateway National Recreation Area - Schedule Of Events (U.S. National Park Service)

CORBIS -Yann-Arthus Bertand; Markley Boyer - The Mannahatta Project - Wildlife Conservation Society

Manhattan Then and Now: Image from "Mannahatta" by Eric Sanderson.

From its southern shores in New Jersey to the park's northern marshes in New York, there is much to experience and explore at Gateway National Recreation Area. Join us this fall for a guided walk, talk or special program. Here's what's up:

2009 Fall Program Guides:

For now, here is a quick list of some September Programs and the September 26 Public Lands Day Programs:

Jamaica Bay Unit

National Public Lands Day
Plumb Beach, Brooklyn, NY (Belt Parkway between Exits 9 & 11)
Saturday, September 26, 11 a.m. -- 1 p.m.

Volunteer with the National Park Service, the American Littoral Society and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection to make a difference at your local beach. Bring water, gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Call 718-338-3799 to sign up.

National Public Lands Day / International Beach Clean-up Day
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and the North Channel Bridge Parking Lot
Queens, NY
Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Together we can celebrate National Public Lands Day and International Beach Clean-up Day by cleaning the shoreline of Jamaica Bay. Groups are welcome. Work gloves and bags will be provided. Reservations required. Call 718-318-4340.

Sandy Hook Unit

Birding for Beginners / National Public Lands Day
Sandy Hook Visitor Center,
Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m.

Join a naturalist from the NJ Audubon Society for a two-hour bird walk. September is a great time for warblers, orioles, tanagers, and other migrant species. Call 732-872-5970 for more information.

Staten Island Unit

The Staten Island Unit is Celebrating Henry Hudson’s Quadricentennial Free programs beginning Thursday, September 3 will take place at Fort Wadsworth to celebrate Hudson’s exploration here 400 years ago.

New York Harbor as Henry Hudson Saw It

Thursday, Sept. 3 7:30pm
Visitor Center at Fort Wadsworth.

An Illustrated Lecture and Book Signing by Erik Sanderson. Sanderson will sign copies of his recent book, Manahatta, the Natural History of New York, available at $30.

First Nations, Last Elephants: The Archaic History of Staten Island
Friday, Sept. 4 at 7:15pm
Visitor Center at Fort Wadsworth

An Illustrated Lecture by Tom Lake. Anthropologist Tom Lake will present a 30 minute illustrated lecture plus walking tour of Ft. Wadsworth Overlook at the Visitor Center.

When Henry Met the Munsee
Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10am
Visitor Center

Illustrated Lecture followed by identification of artifacts by Tom Lake.Anthropologist Tom Lake will present an illustrated lecture, When Henry Met the Munsee, followed by an “Antiques Road Show” style of identification of artifacts. Bring fossils, stone points, artifacts.

Natural History of Ft. Wadsworth: Plants, Geology, and Wild Edibles
Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1pm

A guided Nature Walk by National Park Ranger and Naturalist, Dave Taft. NPS Naturalist Dave Taft will lead a guided Nature Walk at Visitor Center, Fort Wadsworth. Wear appropriate clothing and take precautions for sun, mosquitoes and ticks; carry water.

Kayak Staten Island: The Hudson from Henry’s Vantage Point, A Kayaking Adventure!
Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3-5:30pm
Sandy Beach, Fort Wadsworth.

Join Staten Island Kayak for an introductory kayak experience. View the island from the water as Henry Hudson saw it. Kayaks, life vests, instructions and supervision will be provided to a limited number of participants. Meet at Sandy Beach. Dress appropriately; wear beach/water shoes, take precautions for sun, mosquitoes and ticks; carry water.

Staten Island OutLOUD: Readings from Journals of Hudson’s Ship Half Moon
Sunday, Sept. 20 3pm
Fort Wadsworth Overlook.

Staten Island OutLOUD will present readings that will include excerpts from the journal of one of the crew of the Half Moon, plus some material on Hudson's last voyage, and other historical material from that day. Bring folding or lawn chairs for seating; held indoors in the case of bad weather.
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Please note: No charge and no reservations for any of these programs; first come, first served on a space available basis. Please wear proper clothing and shoes; protect yourself from sun, mosquitoes, ticks; carry water. Outdoor events may be postponed or cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

For more information about the Staten Island Programs, please call 718-354-4500.


			Did You Know? All of Gateway NRA's units include sites that defended New York Harbor from attacks from the sea, from the Revolutionary War through World War II? They are Fort Hancock, Fort Tilden, and Fort Wadsworth. Learn about the history of coastal defense by visiting any of these sites.