Past Events
Tuesday Trek: Burnham Brook Preserve, East Haddam
Time: 9:30 -11:30 am
Place: Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Rd., East Haddam
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Rd., East Haddam–Directions: At the end of Rte. 156, take a right onto Rte. 82, travel 2.7 miles, take left onto Woodbridge Road, travel 1 mile (stay right), take left onto Dolbia Hill Rd. Park by Preserve sign along the side of the road. 2.4 mile trail loop in pristine upland forest with a section along vibrant Burnham Brook.
Wendy Hill–Reserve a spot: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Join us for a refreshing morning walk on a Lyme preserve led by a board or staff member of the Lyme Land Trust. The leaders will alternate each week between Sue Cope, Wendy Hill, and Kristina White with Brady, canine guide. The walks are moderately easy unless noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather.
Space is limited to 5 people. Reservations are required. Contact walk leader to reserve.
Masks can be removed during the walk as long as social distancing is maintained.
Inclement weather cancels.
Summer Solstice Forest Bathing
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Place: Pleasant Valley preserve, McIntosh Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@awakentheforestwithin.com
Join us in celebration of the Summer Solstice as we welcome the longest day of the year. Honor the light of the Earth and the light in you. Special activities include a group mandala in honor of Earth on this special day.
On this 2-hour forest bathing walk, you’ll be guided on a gentle, mindful stroll. Leave your stresses behind and connect with the healing powers of nature. As we walk along the easy one-mile trail, your certified forest therapy guide, Regan Stacey, will offer you a series of sensory-opening “invitations” designed to help you connect with the natural world in your own authentic way.
The walk concludes with a wild-foraged tea.
Folding stools are available for your use, or bring along your own stool or sit mat.
Rain or shine. Heavy rain cancels. If canceled, an email will go out 2 hours prior to the walk.
Parking: Please park in the lot on MacIntosh Road just off Rt. 156. If the lot is full, please park along the road.
$32.00 per person. Registration required. Lyme Land Trust members receive 15% off with the discount code LLT15.
Regan Stacy is the founder of Awaken the Forest Within, an organization that offers forest bathing walks. Forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku – taking in the forest atmosphere. As a growing global wellness movement, it is backed by nearly 40 years of scientific research on the holistic benefits of immersing yourself in nature. These benefits include reduced stress and blood pressure, increased creativity and focus, improved mood and sleep, and a boost to immune functions.
Chestnut Tree Hike in Nehantic State Forest
Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Place: Nehantic State Forest, Holmes Rd Parking Lot, East Lyme
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join Emery Gluck, retired CT DEEP forester, and Jack Swatt, President of the CT Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation for a walk to see some of the largest surviving chestnut trees in Connecticut. Large chestnut trees are rarely seen since they were devastated by a blight 100 years ago. Emery Gluck will talk about forest history and explain the management of the forest. The hike will be about one-mile along the Goodwin Trail at Nehantic State Forest in East Lyme to reach these beautiful trees. Some off-trail hiking will be required to see the second tree. Most of the hike is generally easy terrain with a few ups and downs. Sturdy shoes are a must; a walking stick would be helpful as well. Bring water.
Space is limited. Reservations are required. Contact education@lymelandtrust.org to reserve a spot.
Directions from Rte. 156 in Lyme: Take Beaver Brook Rd. 3.7 miles to a left on Old Grassy Hill Rd. Travel 1.5 miles to left on Upper Walnut Hill Rd. Follow about 1 mile to end. Take left on Holmes Rd. Follow to the parking area for Nehantic State Forest.
Social distancing will be followed based on current policies.
Rain day is Sunday, June 20 at 10 am.
Our Annual Meeting 2021
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Clucas Field, Brush Hill Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Please join us for our 2021 Annual Meeting which will include the nomination of 2 new Board members, annual financial report, and presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Award. We will also present a video of highlights of this unusual year. Light refreshments will be served. Parking will be in the field. Bring a chair and enjoy a lovely June evening in Clucas Field. We will follow social distancing guidelines.
Inclement weather will cause the meeting to be virtual on zoom.
Registration required: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Tuesday Trek: Chestnut Hill Preserve/Nehantic State Park
Time: 9:30 am -11 am
Place: Chestnut Hill Preserve/Nehantic State Park, Sterling Hill Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina White
Chestnut Hill Preserve/Nehantic State Park – Park at the entrance to Chestnut Hill on Sterling Hill Rd.
Contact: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Join us for a refreshing morning walk on a Lyme preserve led by a board or staff member of the Lyme Land Trust. The leaders will alternate each week between Sue Cope, Wendy Hill, and Kristina White with Brady, canine guide. The walks are moderately easy unless noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather.
Space is limited to 5 people. Reservations are required. Contact walk leader to reserve.
Please be safe- wear a mask in the parking lot. Masks can be removed during the walk as long as social distancing is maintained.
Inclement weather cancels.
52 Trail Challenge
Time: spanning six months
Place: The Lyme Preserves are cooperatively owned and/or managed by the Lyme Land Trust, The Town of Lyme and The Nature Conservancy.
Contact Email:
The Lyme Land Trust challenges you to hike during this winter and early spring on the 52 trails of the Lyme Preserves. The challenge ends on June 1. Register your accomplishment by June 14. Please see the 52 Trail Challenge page for more.
Lyme Pollinator Pathway Invites you to an Afternoon at Ballek’s Garden Center
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Place: Ballek's Garden Center, 90 Maple Ave., East Haddam
Contact Email: Lymepollinator@gmail.com
Create your own pollinator planter, purchase one ready-made, or just buy a selection of pollinator/native plants to take home! Bring your own planter, or purchase one from Ballek’s collection.
- 2:00-2:30 pm – Nancy Ballek will speak about the value of pollinators and how native plants enrich the environment
- 2:30-3:00 pm – Nancy will be available for advice on selecting plants, hands-on planting help (they have soil), best combinations, etc.
Come early… for the food truck (open 10am-3pm)
Stay late… to browse and buy from Ballek’s extensive nursery stock & gifts
Register by emailing Lymepollinator@gmail.com
Limited to 40 participants – Each will receive a coupon for 10% off pollinator planters, Ballek’s selected pollinator/native plants for the event, and pots/containers.
Lyme Pollinator Pathway is an initiative of the Lyme SustainableCT Committee
Sapling Club-Outside Play for Elementary School-Aged Kids
Time: 1:30-2:30 pm
Place: Banningwood Preserve, Town Street, Lyme CT
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
Join our hiking group for elementary school-aged children for the last meeting of the school year. We will have popsicles to celebrate! The hikes will resume in the Fall. Parents are welcome to stay or drop-off.
The Sapling Club is limited to 15 participants per meet-up.
Registration required, please contact Regan Stacey at reganstacey@gmail.com.
The club is organized by two volunteers, Regan Stacey and Angel Santos Burres. Both have children in the LOL school district.
Environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey currently runs the Tree Collective, a program for teens. She owns Awaken the Forest Within, a mindfulness-based practice that helps [re]connect people to nature for the betterment of themselves and the earth
Angel relocated to Old Lyme this fall after 20 years of non-profit work in Greater Boston. Most recently, she was the director of Outdoors Rx, a program of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Angel encouraged families to explore the outdoors together with a focus on local spaces. She is thrilled to explore all of the nearby woods, marshes, lakes, rivers, and ocean and hopes to meet you on the trail.
Hiking Club for Middle Schoolers
Time: 3:00-4:30 pm
Place: Lay-Allen Preserve, 33-1 Lords Meadow Lane, Old Lyme, CT
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
Join our hiking group for middle school-aged children for the last meeting of the school year. We will have popsicles to celebrate! The hikes will resume in the Fall.
The club is organized by two volunteers, Regan Stacey and Angel Santos Burres. Both have children in the LOL school district.
Environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey currently runs the Tree Collective, a Lyme Land Trust program for teens. She owns Awaken the Forest Within, a mindfulness-based practice that helps [re]connect people to nature for the betterment of themselves and the earth
Angel relocated to Old Lyme this fall after 20 years of non-profit work in Greater Boston. Most recently, she was the director of Outdoors Rx, a program of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Angel encouraged families to explore the outdoors together with a focus on local spaces. She is thrilled to explore all of the nearby woods, marshes, lakes, rivers, and ocean and hopes to meet you on the trail.
It’s Dark Sky Time-Observing Session
Time: 8:00 to 11:30 pm
Place: Register to learn location
Contact Email: scott.mallory@gmail.com
Join us for an Astronomy observing session. Bring a folding chair and enjoy the dark sky. Bring binoculars if you have them. Do not feel obligated to do anything more than enjoy the night sky. Ordinary flashlights (white lights) are highly discouraged on the far side of the pond. Use red lens caps or red light flashlights.
Come any time during the session if you park in the lot a short way from the site and walk in. If you have equipment to set up and want to drive to the site, arrive before dark and plan to stay the whole time so you don’t disturb others when you leave.
Leave no trace. Take out what you bring in. No smoking or alcohol consumption. We will follow social distancing guidelines. Please maintain 6’ distance and wear a mask when in close proximity to others. If you look through someone else’s equipment, wear a mask.
Reservations required. scott.mallory@gmail.com. Details will be sent with registration.
