The Tree Collective is a program designed to engage young conservationists ages 14-18 in outdoor fun and education while working to maintain trails in our beautiful town of Lyme, CT. It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey since 2019.

The group meets on one or two Sundays a month early fall through June. Each month there will be a different topic and hike in a selected preserve. There will be guest speakers/guides, help with special reports/research projects, and field trips. Trail work will include maintaining trails, blazing new trails, and other builds. Bring tools for trail work such as heavy-duty work gloves and loppers or clippers.

The 2020-2021 Schedule. The group meets 1:00 to 3:30/4:00
Sept 20th
October 11th
Nov 1st
Nov 22nd
Dec 13th
Holiday Hike TBA
Jan 3rd
Jan 24th
Feb 14
March 7
March 28
April 18th
May 9th
May 23– Volunteer for Tour de Lyme
May 30th
Summer session TBA

Some of what the Tree Collective has done on Lyme’s preserves:

• Cleared trees and branches from many of the trails.
• Tackled invasive plant species. Cleared the stone wall in Grassy Hill Preserve of invasive plants.
• Learned about wildlife, plants, and history. About one trip, Tree Collective Member Jane Sheiber, recounts “We learned about hibernation through the discovery of a family of shrews and several salamanders (including the marbled salamander) in an old tree stump. We also found artist’s conk mushrooms, among others, and worked on identifying trees in the winter, when the branches are bare. Finally, we learned about land-use history, wolf trees, and red cedars.”
• In 2019, donated a kids’ picnic table to the Fairy Circle in Hartman Park. And helped clear and restore several historic sites at Hartman Park.
• Took a trip to the Peabody Museum to learn more about our natural world.
• In August 2020, camped on Selden Island and cleared overgrown trails.

If you would like to join the Tree Collective, please contact Regan Stacey at reganstacey@gmail.com