Governors Island
NYC Audubon Naturalist Gabriel Willow leads a bird outing from the steps of our Nolan Park house on Governors Island. Photo: NYC Audubon
NYC Audubon has a seasonal island home, just a few minutes by ferry from lower Manhattan! Governors Island, a 172-acre island in New York Harbor, is now open to the public year round. Excellent habitat and a diverse variety of birdlife make it a birding hotspot, with over 220 species listed on eBird.
Note: Due to flash flooding and mass closures of public transportation, NYC Audubon's seasonal environmental center will be closed on Saturday, September 30. Programming is scheduled to resume Sunday, October 1.
Visit Us on Governors Island
Spring through fall, NYC Audubon will occupy one of Governors Island’s historic houses, Nolan Park House #17. Visitors can talk birds with us out on the porch of the house, make bird art, check out our exhibitions, and come bird with us.
NYC Audubon's house will be open Saturdays and Sundays from May 5 to October 29, 11am-5pm. Events include:
- Divergence of Birds by Carolyn Monastra, October - October 28: NYC Audubon Artist in Residence Carolyn Monastra's "Divergence of Birds" takes inspiration from two texts: The National Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 dystopian novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only facsimiles of climate-impacted animals will be left.
- Paggank "Hunting Grounds" by Dennis RedMoon Darkeem, October 1 - October 28: NYC Audubon Artist in Residence Dennis RedMoon Darkeem's "Paggank 'Hunting Grounds'" delves into the profound connections between indigenous culture, Governor's Island history, bird communities, and the complex legacy of the Audubon family. This body of work serves as a reminder of the intertwined histories that have shaped Governor's Island and encourages viewers to engage with the complexities of its past and their own connections to land and water.
- Free Saturday Afternoon Guided Bird Outings, every Saturday, 2pm-3:30pm: Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow.
- Bird Friendly Glass Workshops, every third Saturday of the month at 3:30pm-4:30pm: Did you know you can protect NYC birds with just paint and a paintbrush? Join NYC Audubon staff for a family-friendly, bird-friendly glass design workshop! Learn about what makes glass so difficult for birds to see and get creative by designing your own bird-friendly window to take home or display in NYC Audubon’s gallery!
Visiting the Island on your own? Learn about the birds and birding spots of Governors Island in our helpful online guide.
Visitors to Governors Island from lower Manhattan or Brooklyn must reserve their ferry tickets in advance. View Governors Island ferry information and make a reservation. NYC Ferry also offers service to Governors Island.
Note on Accessibility:
The ferry from the Governors Island Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan to Governors Island is wheelchair-accessible, as are most paths on the Island. However, the path directly to NYC Audubon's seasonal environmental center is a brick path with a very uneven surface. Nolan Park House #17 is itself unfortunately not wheelchair-accessible; several steps lead to the first floor gallery space. View more detailed accessibility information for Governors Island.
Note on Accessibility:
The ferry from the Governors Island Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan to Governors Island is wheelchair-accessible, as are most paths on the Island. However, the path directly to NYC Audubon's seasonal environmental center is a brick path with a very uneven surface. Nolan Park House #17 is itself unfortunately not wheelchair-accessible; several steps lead to the first floor gallery space. View more detailed accessibility information for Governors Island.
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An image of two windows of NYC Audubon's seasonal environmental center on Governors Island treated by window film.
Bird-Friendly Glass on Governors Island
As part of our residence on Governors Island, we’ve made our seasonal home in Nolan Park a model for bird-friendly building design. We’ve created a crucial, real-world display of bird-friendly retrofit options using temporary, external window films, tapes, paints, and more.
An image of a past NYC Audubon Artist in Residence work station on Governors Island.
Artist in Residence Program
NYC Audubon Artist in Residence (AiR) program is a six-month residency program on Governors Island providing commissioning support, studio space, exhibition and related opportunities designed to support the creative process of New York City-based, wildlife conservation-focused artists.
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Facsimile of a Sharp-skinned Hawk on Governors Island. Photo: Carolyn Monastra
Divergence of Birds
Divergence of Birds will include two installations of work from Carolyn Monastra's Divergence of Birds project which focuses on the impacts of climate change on North American birds and addresses the prospect that, one day, only facsimiles of climate-impacted animals will be left.
Artist Dennis Redmoon Darkeem dressed in military garb stands in front of cannons on Governors Island. Photo: Dennis Redmoon Darkeem
Paggank "Hunting Grounds"
Paggank "Hunting Grounds" by AiR Dennis RedMoon Darkeem serves as a reminder of the intertwined histories that have shaped Governor's Island and encourages viewers to engage with the complexities of its past and their own connections to land and water.
