• Castle Williams as seen from New York Harbor

    Governors Island

    National Monument New York

Natural Features & Ecosystems


  • Nature in the City - Governors Island is an oassis of open space 800 yards away from the skyscrapers and hustle of New York City. Learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit this lovely historical island.




Did You Know?

nature in NY

None of the trees at Governors Island are indigenous to the island. Large shrubbery was removed to provide a clear line of cannon fire to enemy ships that might have entered New York Harbor. The reintroduction of trees in the 1870s reflects the island’s transition from a fortification into a residential community.