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Wild NYC: Experience the Amazing Nature in and around New York City
A vibrant, family friendly guide to the unexpected nature found in and around the Big Apple.
New York City may have a reputation as a concrete jungle, but in reality, it's full of amazing wildlife. You just need to know where to find it! Equal parts natural history, field guide, and trip planner, Wild NYC has something for everyone. It looks at the factors that shape local nature—including fire, floods, and climate—and profiles over 100 local species, from easy-to-spot squirrels and praying mantids to more elusive humpback whales, purple finches, and so much more. Also included are descriptions of day trips that help you explore natural wonders on hiking trails, in public parks, and on your own street.
New York City may have a reputation as a concrete jungle, but in reality, it's full of amazing wildlife. You just need to know where to find it! Equal parts natural history, field guide, and trip planner, Wild NYC has something for everyone. It looks at the factors that shape local nature—including fire, floods, and climate—and profiles over 100 local species, from easy-to-spot squirrels and praying mantids to more elusive humpback whales, purple finches, and so much more. Also included are descriptions of day trips that help you explore natural wonders on hiking trails, in public parks, and on your own street.
- GenresNature
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2026
this guide provides such an incredible abundance of knowledge on the fascinatingly diverse ecosystem of new york city today.
mandelbaum covers an impressive amount of information from the abrupt changing of the land by colonization and industrialization, to a catalogue of an array of plants, bugs, birds, and animals, to short guided "trips" to take in various boroughs to best experience firsthand the wilderness of new york today. he often refers to native names for various species as well as providing their uses for the original resident native groups.
i would have never guessed just how diverse and thriving (though also threatened) the nature of new york is, even having previously lived there, and i now have an even greater appreciation for it.
i highly rec this for general hobby environmentalists and nature lovers, nyc-bound travelers, and even current nyc residents, who all would all benefit greatly from reading this!
an honest arc review ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
mandelbaum covers an impressive amount of information from the abrupt changing of the land by colonization and industrialization, to a catalogue of an array of plants, bugs, birds, and animals, to short guided "trips" to take in various boroughs to best experience firsthand the wilderness of new york today. he often refers to native names for various species as well as providing their uses for the original resident native groups.
i would have never guessed just how diverse and thriving (though also threatened) the nature of new york is, even having previously lived there, and i now have an even greater appreciation for it.
i highly rec this for general hobby environmentalists and nature lovers, nyc-bound travelers, and even current nyc residents, who all would all benefit greatly from reading this!
an honest arc review ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
April 21, 2025
Wild NYC is a guide to the nature and biodiversity found within the five boroughs of New York City. It’s full of colorful illustrations and photographs of flora and fauna, and it’s packed with information about the historical and present-day ecosystems in the Big Apple.
There are three main sections to this book. The first details the natural history of NYC. The second focuses on some key species you might find there. And the third offers “guided field trips” you can follow to put your knowledge to the test.
I don’t immediately think of estuaries, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and marine environments when I think of New York City, but this book opened my eyes to the variety of environments within the city. It also explores the extent to which humans have transformed these ecosystems within NYC and the interspecies interactions within them over time. There’s just a TON of useful info in this book. It even covers etiquette around being an urban naturalist, and what to do if you find an injured animal.
Overall, some of my personal favorite aspects of this book were learning about the historical aspects of the city. I loved learning about things like Collect Pond, the overtaken estates and plant species that were brought there throughout the decades, and how places like Fresh Kills landfill has been transformed intro Freshkills Park. I also found the photographs and illustrations to be really charming. I can tell that a lot of effort and energy went into compiling this resource and I think it is something unique that many people can get use out of.
Although I was mostly interested in this book from a tourist’s perspective, I think Wild NYC would be a great resource for tourists and locals alike, and really anyone interested in the historical and current ecological landscape of the city.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
There are three main sections to this book. The first details the natural history of NYC. The second focuses on some key species you might find there. And the third offers “guided field trips” you can follow to put your knowledge to the test.
I don’t immediately think of estuaries, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and marine environments when I think of New York City, but this book opened my eyes to the variety of environments within the city. It also explores the extent to which humans have transformed these ecosystems within NYC and the interspecies interactions within them over time. There’s just a TON of useful info in this book. It even covers etiquette around being an urban naturalist, and what to do if you find an injured animal.
Overall, some of my personal favorite aspects of this book were learning about the historical aspects of the city. I loved learning about things like Collect Pond, the overtaken estates and plant species that were brought there throughout the decades, and how places like Fresh Kills landfill has been transformed intro Freshkills Park. I also found the photographs and illustrations to be really charming. I can tell that a lot of effort and energy went into compiling this resource and I think it is something unique that many people can get use out of.
Although I was mostly interested in this book from a tourist’s perspective, I think Wild NYC would be a great resource for tourists and locals alike, and really anyone interested in the historical and current ecological landscape of the city.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
April 23, 2025
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While a densely populated city like New York may not seem like a naturalist's paradise -it very much is! Mandelbaum's Wild NYC is a great beginner's guide to the wildlife of New York City. It can get a bit meandering at times, and the wildlife and plant guide may be too basic for veteran explorers. The field trips is where Wild NYC really shines. Each trip features directions on accessing these wildlife hotspots, suggested routes for seeing the highlights, and tips for experiencing wildlife in all seasons.
While a densely populated city like New York may not seem like a naturalist's paradise -it very much is! Mandelbaum's Wild NYC is a great beginner's guide to the wildlife of New York City. It can get a bit meandering at times, and the wildlife and plant guide may be too basic for veteran explorers. The field trips is where Wild NYC really shines. Each trip features directions on accessing these wildlife hotspots, suggested routes for seeing the highlights, and tips for experiencing wildlife in all seasons.
November 13, 2024
thank you to netgalley, author -randal mandlebaum, and timber press for this e pub ARC. this was a delight of a read. while i was reading i imagined it as a beautiful and informational coffee table book. it’s full of information and photos on fauna and flora of new york.
when discussing the nature of the city, it had me rethinking how i view the plants and animals around me.
when discussing the nature of the city, it had me rethinking how i view the plants and animals around me.
March 8, 2025
As a native New Yorker, I was so excited to receive an early copy of #WildNYC. One of my resolutions this year is to spend more time in nature, beyond my monthly-ish visit to the beloved Central Park, and this book made me even more excited to do so! Ryan’s guides and beautiful photos, highlighted by the gorgeous illustrations by Chelsea Beck, made #WildNYC a delight.
This great read has an amazing mix of history, nature photography, field guides, and more. My favorite part was the field trips section. Broken down by borough, with a section for trips a little farther away from the city, it is a great place to get ideas and plan outings based on everything else you’ve learned in the book before this point. I was (pleasantly) shocked to see notes on some “hidden gems” like Inwood Hill Park, and so many places that look interesting in Staten Island – who knew?
This book would make a great gift for an outdoorsy person planning their first trip to the city, or someone like me who is always playing tour guide to out-of-towners. I’ll definitely be picking up a hard copy when the April release date comes :)
Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #WildNYC. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.
This great read has an amazing mix of history, nature photography, field guides, and more. My favorite part was the field trips section. Broken down by borough, with a section for trips a little farther away from the city, it is a great place to get ideas and plan outings based on everything else you’ve learned in the book before this point. I was (pleasantly) shocked to see notes on some “hidden gems” like Inwood Hill Park, and so many places that look interesting in Staten Island – who knew?
This book would make a great gift for an outdoorsy person planning their first trip to the city, or someone like me who is always playing tour guide to out-of-towners. I’ll definitely be picking up a hard copy when the April release date comes :)
Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #WildNYC. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.
January 8, 2025
As a frequent visitor to the Big Apple, I found Ryan Mandelbaum's Wild NYC to be a captivating and informative guide that reveals the city's hidden natural treasures. This book encourages readers to explore the diverse flora and fauna found within the urban landscape, providing valuable insights into the wildlife that thrives amidst the bustling metropolis. Ideal for both travelers and locals, Wild NYC offers a fresh perspective on the city and inspires a newfound appreciation for its vibrant, often overlooked ecosystems. I eagerly anticipate the possibility of a Wild SF edition to showcase the unique natural wonders of my home city.
** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review **
** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review **
May 30, 2025
Ryan combines the geographical, political, and natural history of the city in the first part, adds sections about the many types of wildlife that can be found here, and closes out with a number of "field trips" in each of the five boroughs. Definitely worth reading for anyone interested in New York and its surprisingly vast array of trees, plants, birds, mammals, and more!
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August 19, 2026Delightful and informative.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews