The Riverdale Nature Preservancy
Our Work in 2025
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy enters its 40th Year!
Please join us in protecting the beauty and environment of our wonderful neighborhood.
2025 brings new challenges and opportunities. We ask for your support to continue our commitment to Special Natural Area District (SNAD) enforcement and look to:
● Take on the challenge of preventing frequent flooding.
● Monitor infrastructure work proposed on W. 254th Street.
● Explore additional methods for preserving and protecting open space within CB8.
2025 Annual Meeting!
Thank you for the engaging discussion!
Featured Speakers
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Council Member Eric Dinowitz
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Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ), Robert Fanuzzi
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Riverdale Country School-Reforestation Program leadership, Traci Pearl & Michael Schurr
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Bronx is Blooming: Valeria Pinet-Sanchez
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Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson answered community questions following the event
A recording of the meeting will be posted to our Youtube channel soon, along with links to follow up on the initiatives discussed by our speakers. Check back for updates!
~We'd like to express our gratitude to the Riverdale Country School community for opening its campus to host our community event, its generous and delicious catering, and to its staff who worked so hard behind the scenes~
Hebrew Home Updates
Did you know parts of Riverdale, Fieldston and
Spuyten Duyvil are designated as a
SPECIAL NATURAL AREA DISTRICT (SNAD)?
Did you know parts of Riverdale, Fieldston and Spuyten Duyvil are designated as a SPECIAL NATURAL AREA DISTRICT (SNAD)?
This designation was made in 1975 through the New York City Zoning Resolution. It is an important part of protecting natural areas, guiding development to safeguard mature trees and plantings, steep slopes, and rock outcrops.
At present there are four SNADs in NYC, including the one in our neighborhood.
Why does NYC create
Special Natural Areas?
SNADs are mapped "only in areas where outstanding natural features or areas of natural beauty are to be protected. The preservation of such areas is important because they contain areas of special ecological significance, interesting geological formulations and rock outcrops, unique aquatic features such as tidal wetlands, unique topographic features such as palisades, valleys and hills, important plant life such as glaciated oak-chestnut forests or because they serve as habitats for native flora and fauna." (Section 7412-10 of the zoning text)
The NYC Planning Commission adopted Special Natural Area District (SNAD) zoning regulations in 1974. The Commission updated and strengthened the regulations in 2005
SNAD ProtectsNatural Features:
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trees 6" caliper or greater,
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topographic elements: steep slopes (incline of 25% or greater), existing natural topography (0 % to < 25 % slope), and topsoil,
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rock outcrops and erratic boulders,
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wetlands and surface water features, and
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botanic environments.
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How can you participate in our SNAD Awareness Campaign?
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Download our SNAD Awareness brochure or coloring sheets.
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Display a "You Are in the SNAD" lawn sign on your property*
Where is
Riverdale's SNAD?
The SNAD in Riverdale covers much of Fieldston and Riverdale west of the highway.
How can I learn more about responsible land stewardship in our area?
Learn more about protecting local ecology here!
Special Natural Area District (SNAD) Awareness Campaign:
Join us as we highlight ecologically protected
areas in our neighborhood!
I would like to order a FREE SNAD Awareness lawn sign!
For display on SNAD properties only. Click here to see if you are in the SNAD, which is zoned as NA-2.