Field trips are one of the most important activities of the Society and participation is the best way to increase one’s knowledge of local plants. Most of the trips are for general study and monitoring of the flora and ecology of an area. Other trips are led by individuals who specialize in certain groups of plants and their trips are planned accordingly. While most trips emphasize plant study, other aspects of natural history and cultural heritage are not neglected. Trip participants are always free to ask questions about anything of interest they see. The leader or other members of the group can often supply an answer.
The location may be any place of botanic interest which is usually within 50 miles of New York City. We are not a hiking club and walking distances are usually not great. Those who come on the field trips are urged to participate in the Society’s other activities as well. Trips generally go rain or shine; if in doubt, check the website or contact the leader. Some trips are reachable only by automobile. Those in need of rides and those who are offering rides should post and check for messages on Torrey Botanical Society’s Facebook and Twitter sites or contact the trip leader. Those who use public transportation are advised to check updated schedules in advance. Interested guests and non-members are always welcome on field trips.
Upcoming Field Trips
Flora of Oakwood Beach (Staten Island)
Saturday, July 11 @ 10AM
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flora-of-oakwood-beach-tickets-1991736194574
Threatened by the construction of a sea wall, the hidden meadows of Oakwood Beach, Staten Island, are one of the most unique native plant communities in the entire NYC metropolitan area. More than 30 regionally rare plants can be found here. Some of notable species are: Quercus prinoides (dwarf chinkapin oak), Sanguisorba canadensis (Canada burnet), Spartina pectinata (prairie cordgrass), Iris prismatica (slender blueflag), Calamagrostis stricta (slimstem reedgrass), Sphenopholis obtusata (prairie wedge grass), Anthoxanthum nitens (sweet grass), Carex hormathodes (marsh straw sedge), Carex vestita (velvet sedge).
WARNING: PLEASE BE ADVISED IT IS ALMOST A CERTAINTY TO ENCOUNTER LARGE NUMBER OF TICKS AT THIS SITE. PLEASE COME AT YOUR OWN RISK.
This will be a difficult hike in an open sunny habitat with overgrown vegetation and without trails. Expect heat, biting insects, and bushwhacking through thorny bushes.
Trip Leader: Alan Pieluszynski & Zihao Wang
Meeting Location: Dead end of Kissam Avenue (search “120-152 Kissam Ave” on Google Maps)
Plants of the Palisades (Bergen Co., NJ)
Sunday, July 12 @ 10AM
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plants-of-the-palisades-tickets-1992139303283
Join the Torrey Botanical Society for a walk along the scenic and historic Palisades and Hudson River!
We’ll walk along the shore of the Hudson River, then turn inland and climb uphill along an abandoned road known as “Millionaires Row”, featuring remnants of former homes and driveways. We’ll keep track of the plants we see along the way, and compare our findings with records from Society field trips in the 1910s and 1920s! The total distance will be ~5 miles.
Note: This trail includes stone stairs and moderate inclines.
Trip Leader: Lydia Paradiso
Meeting Location: Alpine Boat Basin/Picnic Area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bNFv1iM6y88CSVoVA, 40.946, -73.919)
Kayak Tour of the Flora of the Batsto River (Burlington Co., NJ)
Satuday, July 25 @ 9:45AM
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kayak-tour-of-the-flora-of-batsto-river-tickets-1992087053001
This is a rare opportunity for a guided tour of the vegetation along the scenic Batsto River. We will likely encounter many of Pine Barrens’ iconic species: Drosera spp., Sarracenia purpurea, Sclerolepis uniflora, Lobelia canbyi, Platanthera clavellata, Smilax pseudochina, Dichanthelium lucidum, Lophiola aurea, Hypericum denticulatum, Greeneochloa coarctata, Utricularia purpurea, Eleocharis tuberculosa, Senega cruciata, and so many more. There will also be sandy beaches where we can take breaks and/or explore the upland areas.
ATTENTION: THE COST OF KAYAK RESERVATION IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FREE TICKET FOR THIS EVENT. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO RESERVE A KAYAK BEFORE SIGNING UP! KAYAKING IS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD TRIP. Reserve a kayak/canoe (kayak recommended) for the Batsto River Quaker Bridge to Batsto Lake trip for 10am on Saturday, July 25th, 2026.
Trip Leader: Zihao Wang
Meeting Location: Pinelands Adventures, 1005 Atsion Rd., Shamong, NJ., about a 2-hour drive from New York City.
Check back soon for more details on upcoming field trips, or become a member to receive updates via email!
Field trip leaders are asked to complete and submit a field trip reporting form which includes vegetation lists and notes on any new or unusual plants or vegetation types to the Field Chair, Zihao Wang. These trip reports, when submitted, will be made available as a year end field trip summary publication.
Please click on the link to access the field trip reporting form:
TBS Field Trip Instructions
Past Field Season Reviews: TBS 2016 Field Review & TBS 2017 Field Review