Salt Marsh Alliance

04/25/2026

Spring is still being unpredictable! But the SMA's program schedule continues. We have a number of wonderful presentations that we hope foster stewardship of Brooklyn's largest park. Join us!
All Programs are Free and presented at the Salt Marsh Nature Center (3301 Avenue U)
Saturday, May 2 1:30
The Value of Street Trees
How do the trees on your neighborhood block help protect you and Marine Park? How do street trees support the natural environment? Learn about tips and techniques for taking care of the trees that keep your neighborhood healthy and beautiful. Find out about the NYC Parks Department Care Captain Program and other ways you can help your local parks.
Saturday, June 6 1:30
Mushrooms of Marine Park
What role do mushrooms and fungi play in the complex web of ecosystems found in the salt marsh? What exactly are mushrooms and fungi? Discover more with Andrew Cannon of the New York Mycological Society and find out what could be growing near our salt marsh
Check out our 2026 Photography Competition
We will also be offering more opportunities to work in the recently planted triangle area - it takes alot of work to give those over 15 native species an advantage over mugwort! And we ultimately want to expand our planting.
Check our webpage for more information and updates!

04/18/2026

04/12/2026

Yesterday was lovely, if a bit breezy. We still had about 20 folks come out to help with planting the triangle area with a variety of native species. We were even able to get the hoses out to water! So come out and see the beginnings of a grasslands/wildflower meadow - seeing the transformation will be amazing. We hope to plan other clean-up days to help maintain and expand - so keep checking back.
While you are waiting - the SMA is offering inspiring program.
April 19 2:00 Celebrate the Earth!
Spring renewal inspires music and dance as we come out of winter’s darkness. Performances by the Brooklyn Dance Center reflect the beauty of the salt marsh and other natural environments. Join us for this Earth Day celebration. Bring your own chair or blanket.
Saturday, May 2 1:30 The Value of Street Trees
How do the trees on your neighborhood block help protect you and Marine Park? How do street trees support the natural environment? Learn about tips and techniques for taking care of the trees that keep your neighborhood healthy and beautiful. Find out about the NYC Parks Department Care Captain Program and other ways you can help your local parks.
Saturday, June 6 1:30 Mushrooms of Marine Park
What role do mushrooms and fungi play in the complex web of ecosystems found in the salt marsh? What exactly are mushrooms and fungi? Discover more with Andrew Cannon of the New York Mycological Society and find out what could be growing near our salt marsh.
Saturday, July 25 1:30 Celebrate Marine Park’s History
On City of Water Day, find out about the remarkable transformations that created the park we love today. Thomas J. Campanella, Historian-in-Residence of the NYC Parks Department, author of “Brooklyn: The Once and Future City”, will be talking about the history of Marine Park.
Saturday, August 1 1:30 All That Skitters
How does the Fiddler Crab survive in the salt marsh tides? What other crabs live in the marsh? What happens in the winter? Where do Horseshoe Crabs fit in? Explore the complexities and threats to the fragile salt marsh with Mike Feller, retired Chief Naturalist of the NYC Parks Department.
Find out more at https://saltmarshalliance.org/ Call 347-701-8674 For More Marine Park events: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/marine-park/events

9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.Location: Marine ParkCategory: Education, Nature, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, City Nature ChallengeFree!

04/06/2026

I guess we can safely say that Spring is unpredictable. But the Salt Marsh Alliance predicably offers programs that foster stewardship for Brooklyn's largest park. Don't forget our planting on April 11! And here are some of our predictably wonderful upcoming programs
Sunday, April 19 2:00
Celebrate the Earth!
Spring renewal inspires music and dance as we come out of winter’s darkness. Performances by the Brooklyn Dance Center reflect the beauty of the salt marsh and other natural environments. Join us for this Earth Day celebration. Bring your own chair or blanket.

Saturday, May 2 1:30
The Value of Street Trees
How do the trees on your neighborhood block help protect you and Marine Park? How do street trees support the natural environment? Learn about tips and techniques for taking care of the trees that keep your neighborhood healthy and beautiful. Find out about the NYC Parks Department Care Captain Program and other ways you can help your local parks.

Saturday, June 6 1:30
Mushrooms of Marine Park
What role do mushrooms and fungi play in the complex web of ecosystems found in the salt marsh? What exactly are mushrooms and fungi? Discover more with Andrew Cannon of the New York Mycological Society and find out what could be growing near our salt marsh.

Saturday, July 25 1:30
Celebrate Marine Park’s History
On City of Water Day, find out about the remarkable transformations that created the park we love today. Thomas J. Campanella, Historian-in-Residence of the NYC Parks Department, author of “Brooklyn: The Once and Future City”, will be talking about the history of Marine Park.

Saturday, August 1 1:30
All That Skitters
How does the Fiddler Crab survive in the salt marsh tides? What other crabs live in the marsh? What happens in the winter? Where do Horseshoe Crabs fit in? Explore the complexities and threats to the fragile salt marsh with Mike Feller, retired Chief Naturalist of the NYC Parks Department.

Find out more at https://saltmarshalliance.org/
Call 347-701-8674
For More Marine Park events: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/marine-park/events

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park)Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Hiking, WildlifeFree!

03/08/2026

Our first program was a success! Lots of good information about what is going to be happening in Marine Park over the year.
We have more planned. Our regular garden season starts next Saturday, March 14 - 9am.

And we have a special clean -up scheduled
Hello Nature Lovers,
Celebrate Spring by getting your hands dirty!
Saturday, March 21, 9:30-noon at Marine Park Nature Center with the Salt Marsh Alliance.
Come restore a meadow in Marine Park! Help us remove invasive mugwort and make way for native grasses and flowers. We will learn to identify native wildflowers, pull weeds and make pathways in the meadow. Gloves and tools will be provided!
Meet at the picnic tables by the Nature Center on Avenue U.
RSVP: [email protected]
Rain date: April 4th.
Planting date coming in April!

And our next program!
Saturday, March 28 1:00
25 Years of the Salt Marsh Nature Center!
Join the party and honor the Nature Center! Learn about its 25 years of changes. Explore new displays and crafts that aim to educate and inspire with the Urban Park Rangers. Hear from Park and City officials how the Nature Center has helped support Marine Park. Find out about ways you can help protect your park. Bring your own chair or blanket.

03/07/2026

Today's the day! The SMA program schedule begins! Spring will be coming - so celebrate by discovering what is going to happen in Brooklyn's largest park

Saturday, March 7 1:30
Maintaining Marine Park’s Forever Wild Natural Areas
Nature’s complexity is highlighted by Marine Park’s different ecosystems. Find out the when, where and why of the park’s many restoration projects with a representative from Natural Areas Management NYC Parks. Discover how you can become involved and help care for your park.

Our gardening season begins soon! We help maintain the Salt Marsh Nature Trail and the areas around the Nature Center. No registration required. Meet by the garage by the Nature Center. It all starts Saturday, March 14 – Saturdays and Wednesdays from 9am – 12pm. Join us for hard work and gratifying results. We have a special clean-ups , plantings planned later in the Spring – check back here for details
Our next programs - just a tease

Saturday March 28 1:00
25 Years of the Salt Marsh Nature Center!
Join the party and honor the Nature Center! Learn about its 25 years of changes. Explore new displays and crafts that aim to educate and inspire with the Urban Park Rangers. Hear from Park and City officials how the Nature Center has helped support Marine Park. Find out about ways you can help protect your park. Bring your own blanket or chair

Sunday, April 19 2:00
Celebrate the Earth!
Spring renewal inspires music and dance as we come out of winter’s darkness. Performances by the Brooklyn Dance Center reflect the beauty of the salt marsh and other natural environments. Join us for this Earth Day celebration. Bring your own chair or blanket.

Consider becoming a member of the Salt Marsh Alliance to help support our work.

02/28/2026

The Salt Marsh Alliance is about to launch our 2026 season. We have lots of fascinating programs on our schedule and lots of plans for the gardens and trails. Thought it was time for a reminder about who we are. Please read below and if you think what the SMA does is important then perhaps you will think about becoming a member or volunteer (or both!)
SALT MARSH ALLIANCE, Inc.
Who We Are
The Salt Marsh Alliance (SMA) established in 2002, is a non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to promote stewardship of the Forever Wild areas of Marine Park. Our activities focus on and around the Salt Marsh Nature Center and the Urban Park Rangers.
The organization’s specific goals include:
• Environmental Stewardship: Volunteers maintain the Nature Center’s landscaped gardens and tend to the Salt Marsh Nature Trail
• Education and Community Engagement: The group is dedicated to environmental education, offering programs that inspire residents to value and preserve the local ecosystem. These include:
o Monthly lectures and workshops
o Cultural and entertainment events such as the annual Earth Day Festival and Harvest Festival
o Nature photography competition to highlight the park’s beauty.
• Operational Support: The SMA plays a pivotal role in the daily operation of the Salt Marsh Nature Center, working in partnership with NYCParks’ Urban Park Rangers. We help with the expenses needed to care for the animals used for school and public programs. A core goal is ensuring the Center remains a vital community asset and encouraging local residents to make optimal use of its facilities and trails.
• Park Advocacy: The activities of the SMA make it uniquely sensitive to what is happening throughout Marine Park. Because members are “on the ground” they can articulate concerns that may impact the fragile salt marsh environment. They are also aware of issues that affect park visitors. The SMA board works with park rangers and administrators to keep the park safe and healthy.
Find out more at https://saltmarshalliance.org/
Call 347-701-8674

The Salt Marsh Alliance, Inc. (SMA) is holding its nature photography competition. The purpose of this competition is to highlight the natural beauty within Marine Park, Brooklyn. Photographs must be […] Salt Marsh Alliance Nature Photography Competition 2026