Nature Talks
June 5 – Sept 11
Alternate Fridays, noon–1pm
Step outside and explore the natural world with free outdoor lectures led by local experts. On your way into Bryant Park, maybe take a stroll around our lawn, stop to smell the flowers, then come learn about the environment, landscape design, and creatures big and small in the shade of the Reading Room’s big yellow umbrellas.
June 5 – September 11
Fridays, noon-1pm
June 5: Ecological History of NYC with Eric Sanderson - Vice President of the New York Botanic Garden and author of Mannahatta and the upcoming Before New York: The Natural Geography of the City
June 19: NYC Fungi and Lichens with Wilton Rao - Naturalist and mycology expert with the New York Mycological Society
July 31: Nature and Humanity with William Bryant Logan - Arborist and author of Oak: The Frame of Civilization; Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of Earth; and Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees
August 7: Native Bees of NYC with Sarah Kornbluth - Invertebrate Zoology Field Associate at the American Museum of Natural History
August 14: Herbalism and Urban Gardening with Madeleine Beirne - Herbalist and gardening educator with GrowNYC
August 28: NYC Wildlife Rehabilitation with The Wild Bird Fund - Nonprofit rehabilitating sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in NYC
September 11: Socio-Environmental History of Parks with Georgia Silvera Seamans - Founder and director of Local Nature Lab, urban community forester, and science writer
September 25: Exploring NYC Wildlife with Ryan Mandelbaum - Author of Wild NYC, science writer, nature educator, and wildlife photographer
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Fri. August 28, 2026
at 12:00pmNature Talks: NYC Wildlife Rehabilitation with The Wild Bird Fund
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- It's one of Bryant Park’s most historic amenities. It originally began in 1935 during the Great Depression as a public service, and was revived by Bryant Park Corporation in 2003.
- It's a casual, family-friendly, open-air space for readers of all ages!
- It hosts literary events and writers workshops all summer long.
- It provides free-to-read periodicals and books for visitors every day from 11am-7pm.
- It's award-winning! The Reading Room has received numerous awards for demonstrating excellence, partnership, and creativity in enhancing New York City's quality of life.
Look for the yellow umbrellas on the north side of the park near the 42nd Street plaza.
Open daily, April to September, 11am-7pm to lend books, magazines, and newspapers for reading in the park.
Reading Room is open to all ages, and kids are welcome!
Find reading material for kids in their own colorful rack or join us for StoryTime.
Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates
Visit our calendar for all upcoming events, including author talks, history panels, writers workshops, and much more!
