“Ya gotta keep the trails open!”

That’s the mantra of our 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Henry Graulty. He’s a fixture in the Lyme ecosystem, working with the Lyme Land Trust, the Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator, and Friends of Whalebone Cove…why he’s even an official Connecticut State Forest volunteer!

If you’re fortunate enough to join a work party with him, you’ll quickly understand why most folks call him a “happy warrior.” Henry is a determined battler against invasive plants in our preserves. Japanese knotweed, barberry, bittersweet and Autumn Olive have all felt his wrath. He brings enormous energy and enthusiasm to every job, and he’s also interested in the places he works. For example, he’s knowledgeable about the archeology of Hartman Park. 

He contributes to any type of mission, but lately he’s been called on a great many times to remove trees that have obstructed our trails. Henry is a student of chainsaw handling, having gone through the rigorous and intense “Game of Logging” program, and we’ve put that skill to good use.

One of the many impressive things about Henry is that he’s not even a Lyme resident. He comes up from his home near the water in Niantic, and he’s been doing it for almost a decade. We even profiled this gentleman in the Lyme Land Trust Newsletter in the winter of 2016. Congratulations, Henry Graulty!