Nature
Talks + Tours

Hanging with the Herps

When

Fri, Jul 25, 2025 8:00PM – 10:00PM

Where

Meet at Wave Hill House

Price

$40, including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10%

“Herps” (reptiles and amphibians) are among the most under-appreciated and misunderstood species of the animal world, and many of them live right here in the Bronx! Are they slimy? Scaly? Poisonous? Environmental educators from Tenafly Nature Center highlight the characteristics that distinguish reptiles from amphibians using animal ambassadors as living examples. Expect up-close encounters with live snakes, frogs, salamanders, and turtles in this fun and engaging nature program for adults and older kids.

Complete your evening with a Nighttime Nature Walk through the shadowy gardens as lightning bugs, crickets, and katydids fill the air with a natural sound and light show. Local naturalist Journei Bimwala guides your way along woodland edges and open lawns where nocturnal creatures abound.

8:00–9:00PM Indoor presentation and Q&A
9:00–9:45PM Nighttime Nature Walk

Participants not joining the walk must exit the grounds once the presentation has concluded. Severe weather cancels the walk.

Advance registration is encouraged online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Day-of registration based on availability and not guaranteed. Ages 12 and older welcome with an adult. Sorry, kids under 12 are not permitted at these late-night events.

The Café, Shop, Gallery and Wave Hill House remain open to all visitors until 7:30PM. Grounds close at 8PM. Ticketed programs begin at 8PM.

Nighttime Nature Walks follow a route along mixed-material pathways with varying elevations. A limited number of walking sticks will be available to borrow. Pace varies from a slow to moderate walk. Artificial light will be limited for a more immersive experience; please bring a flashlight or be prepared to use your cellphone flashlight for additional illumination as needed.

Tenafly Nature Center

Tenafly Nature Center

Tenafly Nature Center is a non-profit, independent, member-supported nature preserve located in Bergen County, New Jersey. Since 1961, TNC has nurtured an appreciation for nature, and been a leader in open-space preservation and environmental education for our community and beyond.
Journei Bimwala

Journei Bimwala

Journei Bimwala is a Clinical Herbalist, Foraging Practitioner, and educator dedicated to reconnecting communities with nature and ancestral plant knowledge. As a founding member of NYC’s only public Foodway, she advocates for equitable access to green spaces and traditional healing practices. Through foraging tours, herbal wellness classes, and storytelling, Journei teaches people how to identify, use, and honor the plants around them. Her work has been featured in The Guardian and The New York Times. She is also the founder of One Heartbeat, a nonprofit supporting water access and community well-being in the Congo.