Past Events
Spring Ephemeral Walk with Bryan Connolly
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Place: Pleasant Valley/Jewett Preserves, Macintosh Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us on a guided walk with botanist horticulturist Bryan Connolly, to see and learn about spring ephemerals, the first native wildflowers to emerge in our woods. This walk is part of a series of programs to encourage people to post observations to the iNaturalist Wild Lyme Project. Bryan Connolly is a top expert on the app and has identified 19,215 posts.
Spring Ephemerals, such as trout lily, sessile bellwort and anenomes are able to take advantage of the sunlight in the short time after the earth warms up and before the leaves in the tree canopy open to shade the forest floor. They then disappear back into the earth as spring progresses into summer. These beautiful delicate flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.
Please register: openspace@townlyme.org
Bryan A. Connolly, PhD an expert on native plants working to re-introduce rare and endangered native plants to the northeast. associate professor at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Workshop to Assemble Eastern Bluebird Boxes
Time: 1:00-2:30
Place: LLT Barn, 12-1 Town St (Rte 82), LymeCT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join the Lyme Bluebird Project to support the bluebird population! Did you know the population of Eastern Bluebirds plummeted from the 1930s to 1980s, but humans across the country helped them stage an incredible comeback? Much of the bluebird’s success is due to the work of citizen scientists building, installing and monitoring bluebird boxes.
Join us for a workshop to assemble bluebird boxes. Our bluebird volunteers will make at least 2 birdhouses, one for a preserve and one for their backyard. It’s free. All you have to do is pledge to take care of at least one bluebird box in a preserve and the one in your own backyard. Taking care of bluebird boxes in the preserves is a great activity for a solo meadow hike or to do with family and friends. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to help support our bluebird populations!
All materials are supplied. No carpentry skills required. The wood pieces are pre-cut. Bring an electors drill if you have one.
Space is limited. Please register at education@townlyme.org
Children are welcome with an adult (One set of boxes per family).
The wood was donated by CT DEEP, sawn in the woods from trees harvested in the State forest during forest management.
We wish to thank Wild Bird Unlimited Niantic, who generously donated ten poles and baffles, and discounted the rest.
Co-sponsored with Lyme Pollinator Pathway
Exploring a Beaver Site: An On-Site Demonstration of Field Tools with Evan Zocco
Date: Sat April 27, 2024Time: 10:00-12:00
Place: Hartman Park, Main Entrance, Gungy Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: info@eightmileriver.org
Presenter: Eightmile Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee
Join Evan in Hartman Part for a field demonstration of ground truthing. Learn about the tools he uses to validate and improve the model’s predictions. Evan will use his drone to explore a beaver site and explain what information he is looking for when on site. There is a short hike required to get to the site. Appropriate footwear is recommended.
Email info@eightmileriver.org to register!
Evan Zocco is a graduate student at UCONN. Click on the poster to learn more.
This is part of a Beaver Program Series by the Eightmile Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee.
The Science Behind Using Deep Learning to Map Beaver Activity in Connecticut with Evan Zocco
Date: Sat April 27, 2024Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
Place: Hadlyme Public Hall, 63 Ferry Rd, Hadlyme, CT
Contact Email: info@eightmileriver.org
Presenter: Eightmile Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee
Beavers are an increasing presence on our landscape, learn about their local and regional impact and a novel approach of mapping and tracking their influence on the landscape. This will be an in-depth presentation on Evan’s graduate research.
Email info@eightmileriver.org to register!
Evan Zocco is a graduate student at UCONN. Click on the poster to learn more.
This is part of a Beaver Program Series by the Eightmile Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee.
Birding in Southeastern CT – Using Technology to Enhance Your Birding Experience
Date: Thu April 25, 2024Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd, LymeCT
Contact Email: programreg@lymepl.org
Learn about the technologies available to help you better understand the lives of birds.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
Register: programreg@lymepl.org
or call 860 434-2272
Sponsored by the Lyme Public Library
Tuesday Trek: Ames Family Open Space, Evergreen Trail, Old Lyme
Date: Tue April 23, 2024Time: 9:30 am
Place: Boston Post Road (Rte 1) to Boggy Hole Rd. Evergreen Trail is about 1/2 mile down on the left.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy
We will visit two rock caves. Studies have shown that one of the caves was occupied seasonally as a winter shelter by indigenous people beginning at least 4255 years ago. Directions. Take Boston Post Road (Rte 1) to Boggy Hole Rd. Evergreen Trail is about 1/2 mile down on the left.
Contact: openspace@townlyme.org
Earth Day Talks Featured at the Lyme Public Hall
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Place: Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd. (Rte 156) Lyme
Contact Email: info@lymepublichall.org
Presenter: Lyme Public Hall
The Lyme Public Hall is hosting a series of talks featuring local experts to help you care for and appreciate our unique local natural environment in honor of Earth Day 2024. The public is invited to attend any or all of these talks which are free of charge.
10:00-11:00 am — A Biologist’s Perspective on What Makes Lyme Special, with Jim Arrigoni (Environmental Director, Lyme Land Conservation Trust)
11:00 am-12:00 pm — Why Backyard Habitat Matters, with Judy Preston (Environmental Professional)
12:00-1:00 pm — Lunch Break: Bring your own Brown Bag (drinks & cookies provided by Lyme Public Hall)
1:00-2:00 pm — Beyond Organic Pest Management with Emma Sutphen (Farmer, Adesa Farm, North Stonington)
2:00-3:00 pm — Mother Earth Friendly Gardening with Craig Floyd (Retired Farm Manager, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center’s Craig Floyd Giving Garden at Coogan Farm)
3:00-4:00 pm — Beekeeping Basics with Tom Kalal (Cranberry Meadow Farm, East Lyme)
For more information about Talks and Presenters
Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Please email info@lymepublichall.org to reserve your place.
This event is co-sponsored by the Lyme Public Hall, Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden, the Lyme Land Conservation Trust, the Lyme Garden Club and the Lyme Pollinator Pathway.
Tree Collective – Vernal Pools – Teen Hike
Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
For more information about the Tree Collective.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
Vernal Pools – An Earth Day Talk and Walk with Anthony Irving
Time: 9:30-11:30 am
Place: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve, Brush Hill Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Celebrate Earth Day with a talk and walk with Anthony Irving, well-known forest ecologist. Join us to observe vernal pool activity as our wood frogs and spotted salamanders return for annual mating. Get an up close look at these remarkable creatures and learn about their life history and habitat needs
Registration required: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
Meet at the Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve parking lot on Brush Hill Rd. about 1/2 mile south of the Hadlyme Country Market.
Tony Irving is the Lyme Land Trust board president, and chairman of the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Committee.
The walk is co-sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust and the Town of Lyme.
Spring Birding – Northern Migration
Date: Thu April 18, 2024Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd, LymeCT
Contact Email: programreg@lymepl.org
Learn about the wonders of spring bird migration.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
Register: programreg@lymepl.org
or call 860 434-2272
Sponsored by the Lyme Public Library
