Saturday, April 9th, 2011 at 10 AM
Hike-Walking the Red Jewett Trail with Linda Bireley

Join us for an approximate 5 mile hike to explore the northwest portion of Jewett Preserve. We will start at the cemetery and follow the Red, White and Blue in the trails in the Jewett Preserve and the Green (now Yellow) trail in the Pleasant Valley Preserve. The terrain is varied and the footing is uneven in some areas. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and a snack. Dogs on leashes are permitted.

In 1900, the Lyme Art Colony began painting Lyme’s landscapes and later became known as the birthplace of American Impressionism.

Lyme is celebrated for its beautiful farms and open meadows.

Saturday, March 26th, 2011 at 10 AM

Hike-Walk the Trails of Eno Preserve & Mt Archer Woods

Hike the trails of Eno Preserve and Mt. Archer Woods before the foliage of spring obscures the wilderness understory and learn about the history of foundations of the abandoned 19th Century hamlet deep in the forest. Then continue down the Yellow Trail and take an off-trail detour over the brow of Mt. Archer to the promontory overlooking Hamburg Cove and the Connecticut River. The group will then return to the trail and loop back to Mt. Archer Road through the Eno preserve. This walk will take 2-3 hours and will be moderately difficult because there will be some off-trail hiking. Bring a snack to enjoy as we sit and take in the view from Mt. Archer’s prominence above the colonial hamlet of Hamburg. Rain date is Sunday, March 27. Meet at the entrance to Mt Archer Wood Preserve on Mt. Archer Road, which is one mile west of intersection of Rt. 156 and Mt Archer Road. (Locate on Google Maps by pasting following GPS coordinates into Search box and click search button: 41.409585,-72.354596 ).

The Connecticut River and its tidal wetlands and the Eightmile River watershed have received national recognition for their water quality.

300 million years ago, a collision between the ancient continents formed the striking rock ridges that characterize the topography of Lyme.

They provide shelter and food to myriad species, clean air, filter our drinking water and offer refuge from the bustle of everyday life.

Evidence of Native Americans has been found dating back 5,000 years. The Town of Lyme was established by English settlers in 1665.

Sunday, February 27th, 2011 at 2 PM

Jenny Dickson, a senior wildlife biologist from the state Department of Environmental Protection, will speak and make a presentation on the threat to Connecticut’s bat population from the deadly “White Nose Syndrome” on Sunday afternoon Feb. 27.

In the past few years this mysterious disease has taken a huge toll on the already stressed bat population of New England.

The epidemic has caused the demise of 90% of bats in some caves where they hibernate, and 100% loss in other hibernacula.

Overall, more than one million bats have died due to this devastating disease, which has spread to nine species in fourteen states and shows no signs of stopping.

Bats play many vital roles in our everyday environment, including the control of harmful insects that carry diseases and destroy crops.

Their loss threatens the balance of nature and could impact the state’s agriculture industry. “We’ve always needed bats – now they need us,” said Ms Dickson, who is supervising Wildlife Biologist at the DEP. “ Come to learn how you can help.”

The program will be on Sunday Feb. 27 at 2 PM at the Lyme Public Hall, Rt. 156 in Hamburg. Admission is free and open to the public.