The Nature of New York!!!!!The Nature of New York!!!!!

The Other Face of New YorkThe Other Face of New York

New York is a big city full of contrast. It is as you all know New York is a big city full of contrast. It is as you all know usually fast – paced and hectic; with its sky scrapers, busy usually fast – paced and hectic; with its sky scrapers, busy traffic and “on the go people”. But there is a different side traffic and “on the go people”. But there is a different side of New York that many New Yorkers don’t see. A side that of New York that many New Yorkers don’t see. A side that is so breath- taking and peaceful. We were given the is so breath- taking and peaceful. We were given the chance to experience this over the last few days at places chance to experience this over the last few days at places such as Inwood Park and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.such as Inwood Park and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Inwood ParkInwood Park

On Tuesday we went to Inwood On Tuesday we went to Inwood Park which is located near the Park which is located near the northern part of Manhattan. There northern part of Manhattan. There we saw different species of birds we saw different species of birds such as blue jays and black – such as blue jays and black – capped chickadees. The black – capped chickadees. The black – capped chickadees were especially capped chickadees were especially interesting because they ate out of interesting because they ate out of our hands. There we also visited a our hands. There we also visited a cave that was once inhabited by cave that was once inhabited by Native Americans. We also learned Native Americans. We also learned that New York is mostly made up of that New York is mostly made up of a rock called schist and the a rock called schist and the surprising fact that willows make surprising fact that willows make their own insecticide which is their own insecticide which is aspirin. We also saw the Hudson aspirin. We also saw the Hudson River Valley and many other things.River Valley and many other things.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife RefugeJamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge On Thursday we went to the Jamaica On Thursday we went to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge which is located in Bay Wildlife Refuge which is located in the southern part of Queens.This refuge the southern part of Queens.This refuge was started to provide a place for the was started to provide a place for the many migratory birds and other animals many migratory birds and other animals and plants,that live and/or come to New and plants,that live and/or come to New York.We saw birds such as Canadian York.We saw birds such as Canadian geese, swans, mallards, saegulls and geese, swans, mallards, saegulls and ospreys. An interesting fact about the ospreys. An interesting fact about the osprey is that at one time they were osprey is that at one time they were becoming extinct because their natural becoming extinct because their natural habitat were being destroyed.It was habitat were being destroyed.It was being destroyed because of a chemical being destroyed because of a chemical called DDT (which was used to kill called DDT (which was used to kill mosquitos). We also learned that birds mosquitos). We also learned that birds are very smart especially the seagulls. are very smart especially the seagulls. To get their food the seagulls would drop To get their food the seagulls would drop it on the ground to crack open the clams it on the ground to crack open the clams shells to eat their insides.shells to eat their insides.

At Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge we also saw various plants such as At Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge we also saw various plants such as mullein, bayberries, and cactus. Mulleins which are thick, fuzzy, and mullein, bayberries, and cactus. Mulleins which are thick, fuzzy, and produces oval leaves can survive through the winter and even under produces oval leaves can survive through the winter and even under the snow! The bayberries we came to find out that they are the wax the snow! The bayberries we came to find out that they are the wax in candles and when crushed smell wonderful. They are also the in candles and when crushed smell wonderful. They are also the food of a non-migratory bird called the Yellow- rumped warbler. We food of a non-migratory bird called the Yellow- rumped warbler. We also found some cactus.also found some cactus.

Everything is RelatedEverything is Related In our one- one exploration with nature, In our one- one exploration with nature,

we learned and experienced a lot in we learned and experienced a lot in which changed our perspective about which changed our perspective about our place in nature, how we treat it, and our place in nature, how we treat it, and the role we play in both protecting and the role we play in both protecting and destroying it. We also learned that our destroying it. We also learned that our ecological footprint (which is our impact ecological footprint (which is our impact on the environment) affects everything on the environment) affects everything around us. This course has made us around us. This course has made us think twice about throwing that piece of think twice about throwing that piece of garbage on the ground. Also everything garbage on the ground. Also everything is related to each other. Like for is related to each other. Like for example if there were no salt marshes example if there were no salt marshes many ocean fish such as tuna could not many ocean fish such as tuna could not have a place to reproduce and grow up; have a place to reproduce and grow up; and if that happened their would be no and if that happened their would be no more tuna sandwiches. As we stated more tuna sandwiches. As we stated before the nature of New York is breath-before the nature of New York is breath-taking, but in all actually it’s the pollution taking, but in all actually it’s the pollution of the hustle and bustle side of NYC that of the hustle and bustle side of NYC that is taking our breath away and it’s the is taking our breath away and it’s the nature side that is breath giving!!!!!nature side that is breath giving!!!!!