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.

Wild NYC: Experience the Amazing Nature In and Around offers an engaging exploration of the wild side of New York City, revealing the surprising diversity of nature within the urban landscape. The book serves as both a guide and an inspiration, showing readers how to experience the natural wonders of New York City, from the bustling streets to the tranquil green spaces and surrounding ecosystems.

Mandelbaum’s writing is both informative and accessible, offering detailed insights into the flora and fauna that thrive in the city’s parks, rivers and even its urban nooks. They highlight the resilience of nature and the ways wildlife has adapted to urban life, making the book an eye-opening read for anyone who thinks of New York only as a concrete jungle. The book also encourages readers to explore hidden gems, like the urban forests of the Bronx, the migratory bird watching in Central Park and the diverse aquatic life in the surrounding rivers.

Chelsea Beck’s illustrations perfectly complement the text, providing vivid depictions of the landscapes, animals and plants Mandelbaum describes. The artwork brings the natural beauty of the city to life, enriching the reader’s connection to the stories of the wild places they can visit.

“Wild NYC” is a delightful blend of nature writing and urban exploration, making it an essential read for nature lovers, urban adventurers and anyone curious about the hidden ecosystems of New York City.

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!*

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.

Wild NYC
Fascinating book--as a Virginian who raised my children here, I learned things about NYC that we were not really taught in Virginia, so I've bought a copy for My Brooklyn son's family. Anyone who wishes to learn more about the cityof New York this is a good summary of its history, geography, flora and fauna. It has enough information to hold the interest of an adult, and much of it can be understood by a child.

I love visiting New York so this was a great guide to the wildlife beyond the concrete areas. A vivid and fun guide overall.

This book is beautiful. I feel so much more connected to the wildlife in New York City. I really enjoyed this one, and I hope you will too!

So many people think of museums, Broadway, shopping, crowded streets and more as what makes up New York City. It is true that all these things are there but, in addition, much nature can also be found. Before reading this book, I would have named Central Park, the Bronx Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Now I have learned of much more in this very appealing title.

After meeting your guide, read about New York history and how to be a naturalist. Then start to become one. Look at flora and fauna including fungi, plants, fish and mammals to name just a few. Next go to a borough and check out what can be found.

With engaging text and visuals, this book will be welcomed by both those who live in the city and those who are visiting.

I most highly recommend this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 April 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.

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.

The author speaks to the ecosystem holistically and covers varying species by groups, with detailed entries for each animal. There are also suggested field trips, helpfully broken down by borough. The field trips detail ways to observe things starting at the lowest/most local level. The target audience/level seems to be targeted to middle grade/teenage ranges.

The illustrations and photographs really add to the narrative, and I love that this was written by a local author.

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 from colonization and industrialization, to 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) nature of new york is, even having previously lived there, and have an even greater appreciation for it.

i highly rec this for general hobby environmentalists, nature lovers, nyc-bound travelers, and even current nyc locals would all benefit greatly from reading this!

an honest arc review ♡

What a stunning labor of love from Ryan Mandlebaum. Like New York itself, there is so much to explore in this gorgeous, informative, chatty exploration of the intersection of the wild and the urban in the City. As a native New Yorker I was excited to learn more, pleased to have some beliefs confirmed, and educated by lots of new facts. Although written in a very casual voice, the authors hard learned expertise shines through. Not likely to be read in one go, this is a great reference for a lifetime.

Thanks for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

I *love* this book
Its gorgeous, I can only imagine what it'll look like as a beautiful coffee table book!
It's well researched and organized

A wonderfully illustrated, informative, and engaging book that dives into NYCs history and the wildlife in one of the most urban areas in the world. I feel like this book would be perfect for anyone who is interested in urban history/wildlife - but particularly for middle/high school kids as a way to get them engaged in science and nature more.