Washington Square Park Eco Projects

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Washington Square Park Eco Projects

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The biodiversity and nature of Washington Square Park. An initiative of Local Nature Lab. Environmental education & research collaborative.

Learn about the trees of Washington Square Park using the Eco Map at www.wspecomap.org.

03/17/2026

Rain and three different soil conditions in the Zelkovas beds around the fountain.

03/15/2026

Migratory and resident birds used this spruce for cover and shelter. However, the tree struggled. It was perennially covered in Japanese clematis, and rats burrowed in the root zone. This winter the tree was uprooted. What became visible was the rootball encased in a wire cage. Tree planting standards recommend the removal of most of the wire cage. NYC Parks requires the following: “Cut and remove rope and wire from the top 2/3 of the root ball. At least 2/3 of the burlap shall be removed from the tree pit. The remaining wires should be pulled back and the burlap adjusted to prevent the formation of air pockets.” We also noticed the root mass largely retained its “balled and burlapped” dimensions. We hope the replacement tree has a better start and thrives.

03/14/2026

Washington Square Park is Cornelian Cherry Dogwood.

03/11/2026

Washington Square Park is Red Maple flowers!

foreground photo: bobistraveling CC BY 2.0

03/05/2026

First spotting of snowdrops on March 5, 2026. First of days in previous years:
February 16, 2022
March 7, 2019
February 27, 2018
March 2, 2017

03/03/2026

Take a closer look at the timing of floral bud swell in Red and Silver Maples in the park.

03/02/2026

Are you noticing that maple buds are swelling? Plants (and insects) will begin to break dormancy after a certain number of days of accumulated heat. Red Maple begins blooming (swelling and expanding flower buds, and opening flower buds) at 1-49 growing degree days from January 1st which corresponds to March to early April. Silver Maple flower buds are also expanding right now. Let us know what you’re observing in your patch or neighborhood.

02/25/2026

Did you build a snow person?

02/25/2026

When will we go from snow covered branches to bloom laden ones? Submit your prediction of peak by February 28, Anywhere on Earth >> competition.statistics.gmu.edu. Comment if you’d like the link in your DM.

02/11/2026

February 14th events in !

9:30AM Great Backyard Bird Count
11AM Winter Tree ID

*Scan the QR code to register for each event.

02/11/2026

Loving trees in winter is easier with ID skills. Join us for a winter tree ID workshop on Feb. 14th, 11AM in Washington Square Park. Our guide will be botanist and horticulturist Molly Nash Rouzie. Scan the QR code to register.

02/11/2026

Count birds with us on Feb 14th, 9:30 AM in Washington Square Park. Scan the QR code to register.

Address

C/o Local Nature Lab 93 4th Avenue, #59
New York, NY
10276

Website

http://www.wspecoprojects.org/

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