Staten Island, Dragonflies and Butterflies

Date: Sunday, August 1, 2027

Leader: Seth Wollney
Transportation: Carpool Trip: While carpool rides for everyone usually work out, there is no guarantee of enough volunteer drivers to accommodate all participants. The Registrar will work to organize rides and to notify participants when a rental car may be necessary. Registrar will also inform participants of the carpool fee, which is based on the trip location; the cost of any rental cars should be split evenly by those participants.
Meeting Point: After your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, the exact meeting place, and time with attendees.
Schedule: Expect an afternoon walk.
Relative Difficulty: This will be a relatively short walk on paved or gravel paths.

Trip Description: Staten Island’s Brookfield Park, a former municipal solid waste facility site, has been transformed into a tranquil mid-island gem. Following extensive remediation, over 17,000 trees and 76,000 plants were planted, leading to the park’s opening in 2017. This green oasis now attracts migratory birds and butterflies, offering a serene and safe environment for leisurely walks. Four marked trails and a mile of unmarked trails leading to Richmond Creek provide excellent hiking opportunities. We will explore the park’s diverse landscapes, including ponds, rivers, wetlands, marshes, and meadows. The walk will primarily focus on insects, including butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, but we’ll also have the chance to spot some interesting birds.

This leisurely walk is designed for your comfort and enjoyment. We’ll primarily traverse flat, wide, paved roads with only small sections of gravel paths. Our journey will be punctuated with frequent stops to observe butterflies and other pollinators at nectar-producing plants. Feel free to bring a camera or binoculars if you like, and don’t forget to wear appropriate clothing for protection against the sun and insects.

Registration: Registration opens at 9 am on Monday, July 19. After that time, click here to register. Registration closes at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 28. Members (and those who have applied for membership) will be prioritized over non-members.

Please read the About Our Trips page, if you’re going on a field trip for the first time. It details our field trip policies, recommends what to bring on a trip, and offers other useful information, pro tips, and tricks.

If after visiting the About Our Trips page, you still have questions, feel free to contact the Registrar via email.