A group of students at Bronxdale High School is getting closer to nature by creating a guidebook containing information on city parks.

The booklet, which is called "50 Shades of Green," is the culmination of an eight-month project by students of Bronxdale High's urban ecology class. It serves as a field guide to New York City parks.

Science teacher Michael Duggan says the idea came about when he wanted his high school seniors to learn the importance of preserving the parks. The students then collaborated on design and creativity for the book through field trips to 24 city parks spread throughout the five boroughs.

The students say they will continue to make revisions to the guidebook, and expect to have a hard copy ready by the time they graduate in June. They say their goal is to have a guidebook in the hands of every student in the city's public school system by next fall.