Flora of Oakwood Beach

WARNING: PLEASE BE ADVISED IT IS ALMOST A CERTAINTY TO ENCOUNTER LARGE NUMBER OF TICKS AT THIS SITE. PLEASE COME AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Trip Difficulty: Difficult, please read the following information and it will be your responsibility to be fully prepared.

Time: 10AM-12PM, July 11th, 2026

Location: Dead end of Kissam Avenue (search "120-152 Kissam Ave" on Google Maps)

Description:

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).

Trip Leaders: Alan Pieluszynski, Zihao Wang

Things to bring:

1. Sun protection (hats, long sleeves, sun block)
2. Tick and mosquito protection (permethrin-treated field clothing, lint roller, knee-high muckboots)
3. Heat protection (plenty of water)

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.