The indigenous peoples of New England left an indelible mark on the landscape through their creation of a variety of stone structures reflecting their deeply held spiritual beliefs. This hike in Hopkington, Rhode Island will feature two separate ceremonial sites just a few minutes drive apart. The main site is one of the most amazing ceremonial sites in the state, consisting of over a thousand cairns in perhaps 10 acres, while the second site features other types of constructions found throughout New England. Documentary photographer Markham Starr will lead the walk. Hike is easy but wear sturdy footwear. Walking sticks are recommended. Bring your own bottle of water or beverage. 

This walk is full. Send an email to be put on the wait list. Space limited to 15. Email education@lymelandtrust.org

Native Americans built several distinct types of structures in our area, ranging from cairns to stone serpent effigies, and these spiritual offerings remain standing in now long abandoned woods. While Native American stonework is widely recognized out west and to the south, New England’s stonework remains obscure, having blended back into the woods. We will walk about two miles.

Markham Starr is a documentary photographer concerned with the disappearing working cultures of New England. He is the author of a dozen books, providing glimpses into the lives of people such as commercial fishermen, farmers, and cannery workers, and has written about other subjects such as historic barns in Connecticut. His work has appeared in national magazines and is part of the permanent collection at the Library of Congress and other museums throughout New England.

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.

Register: openspace@townlyme.org

View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

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. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.

Tools and gloves provided.

For more information. 

Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Click on flyer to enlarge.

Walk the yellow trail loop to see beautiful stone walls and evidence of an old quarry. Meet at the Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve Parking lot on Brush Hill Rd, about 1/2 mile south of the Hadlyme Country Market.

Join Tori and family on the 4th Sunday of every month for a “mile-ish” hike geared towards families with children under 5, but no age limit!

Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register.

Tori is a Mom of two littles – Kade, 4 yrs, and Quinn, 1 yr. Hiking and wandering in the local preserves, has really given her family the safe space to let Kade run loose and has a calming effect on Quinn. Working full time, volunteering in many organizations and finding time to enjoy the outdoors with the whole family, can be tough, but it is worth it!

For more information about the preserves and directions. 

Young or old, experienced, or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory.

Registration required. Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines.

For more information and to register: Astronomy Events

Join us for the third annual Earth Day in Lyme. The Lyme Public Hall is marking this day by partnering with Lyme Land Trust, Lyme Pollinator Pathway and local experts and organizations to provide a wealth of helpful resources, all free to the public. Bring the family and invite your neighbors to come learn how to help support our unique community of plants, animals, birds, pollinators and people.

To learn about the presenters

Click on posters to enlarge.

Join us for a fascinating talk about the important function of fungi in forest ecosystems, with Bill Yule, naturalist and mycologist. He will cover aspects of fungi that weren’t covered in last year’s very popular talk.He has a wonderful way of explaining the complex functioning of fungi and its vital interconnections with other organisms within the forest. Bill will share information to identify various mushrooms by their characteristics.

Registration appreciated: education@lymelandtrust.org     Walk-ins welcome.

Directions: Please note: If using GPS, be sure you are sent to the Lyme PUBLIC Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, not the Lyme TOWN Hall, 480 Hamburg Rd.  If using I-95, take exit 71 N (take a right) or S (go straight). From the light at the intersection of Hall’s Rd (Rte 1). and Rte 156 in Old Lyme, travel north on 156 for 4.6 miles into Hamburg Center.. The Public Hall is on your right about 1/4 mile south of the Hamburg Fair grounds.

“For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms.”

Bill Yule has been active in mycological education for 30 plus years and has given many education programs throughout the country. He is a retired High School Biology teacher and Environmental Educator. In addition, he taught Ecology and Environmental Education at The Connecticut River Museum for 20 years and worked on three environmental educational boats on the CT River. He is a member and educator for three local “Mushroom clubs”, Connecticut Valley Mycological Society, COMA (CT/Westchester Mycological Association) and PVMA (Pioneer Valley Mycological Association) as well as a past Board of Directors member of the North American Mycological Association. 

Visit Bill Yule’s Facebook Page

Sterling Hill Road Entrance – we will check out what Nehantic looks like after the timber harvest and head to Brown Hill. 3 miles or so.  Some rough terrain. Park at top of Sterling Hill Rd by the entrance that is demarcated with large boulders.

Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org

View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

April is Native Plant Month! We will be selling native plants from Judge’s Farm in Old Lyme. Mike Baczewski, from New England Pollinator Gardens, will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips on how to best grow these local wonders.

For more information: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org

Rain or Shine!

On the 3rd Wednesday of each month (unless noted) the group will get together at various hiking areas in Lyme and Old Lyme.  Hikes will be led by Wendy Hill, Lyme Open Space Coordinator and the Vice President of Lyme Land Trust. The walks are moderate, dirt paths with some uneven footing and moderate hills, unless noted. Paced to the group-two to three miles. Bring a walking stick, water bottle and dress for the weather. Inclement weather cancels.

Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior Center.

View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule

A beautiful wooded walk along the salt marshes toward the beach on Long Island Sound. Bring binoculars if you have them. 2.5 miles.

Directions: Meet at the parking lot on Rte i56 across from the KOA Campground, 271 Main St (Rte 156), about 0.5 mile east of the intersection with Four Mile River Rd.