Events

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  • February 1, 2025 Special Winter Session – New start time

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    CO-SPONSORED BY PHOEBE GRIFFIN NOYES LIBRARY- Saturn, the Moon, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars are all out on this winter night. In the west, Saturn is chasing the setting Sun while Venus and Neptune straddle the crescent Moon at session's start. Jupiter and its Great Red Spot will be in clear view. The Red […]

    Free
  • CANCELLED – February 22, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW COVER. PLS SEARCH FOR ANOTHER SESSION- Bright Venus remains prominent in the west before darkness, while Saturn grazes close to the horizon. As darkness falls, Jupiter is high overhead in Taurus due south, with Mars trailing behind to the left in Gemini. Orion dominates the southern sky, with its great Orion […]

    Free
  • March 21, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Jupiter and Mars remain visible in the night sky, as the winter constellations sink in the west. In the east, Leo is rising from a winter rest, along with its myriad galaxies. In the north, the Big Dipper has finally emerged from the tree line showcasing its own impressive […]

    Free
  • April 27, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Mars is offering its last views at high elevations. Jupiter sinks in the west. Our friend Saturn is on the far side of the Sun, returning to the eastern pre-dawn sky in October. Leo now sits high overhead, with many galaxies to be seen in its borders (eg, M65 […]

    Free
  • May 23, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER- Mars now begins its march to a western exit, while the great Hercules rises in the eastern sky. Galaxy-rich Virgo is in full view, with many clusters of galaxies such as pictured above. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event to the closest clear night and notify […]

    Free
  • June 20, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Hercules and its glorious globular cluster M13 is high overhead, while the Milky Way makes its return to the night sky along the eastern horizon. Around to the north, the Big Dipper appears to stand on its handle. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event […]

    Free
  • July 18, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- The Milky Way rises from the southern horizon high up and overhead, with its 'steam' boiling out from the Teapot of Sagittarius. Among the many deep sky objects visible in this area of the sky is M16, the Eagle Nebula and its famous Pillars of Creation (pictured). The Summer […]

    Free
  • August 22, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- In the northeast, a new supernova has appeared in a galaxy in Pegasus (pictured). In the south we still see the Milky Way stretching out overhead. In the east, Cassiopeia begins to peek up above the tree line. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event […]

    Free
  • August 30, 2025 Pop-up Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    The waxing first quarter Moon will be visible at sunset, and the Milky Way is stretching out overhead. In the east, Cassiopeia begins to peek up above the tree line. If the weather goes against us, we will notify you via email. We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain […]

    Free
  • September 19, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- In the east, Saturn returns to the night sky as the evening progresses. By midnight, it is almost due south. For those with stamina, starting at 1:09am (ie, Saturday morning), the shadow of its moon Titan will take 2 1/2 hours to cross the face of the planet! Anyone […]

    Free
  • October 17, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- The Milky Way arches from SW to NE, almost straight up, as darkness falls. Saturn maintains its prominent place in the sky after its long absence all summer. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event to the closest clear night and notify you. We have […]

    Free
  • November Nights: Why Dark Skies Matter (Meet the Universe)

    Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

    DATE SHIFTED!! (due to weather)- On this night we take our November Nights series into the night, literally. See the wonders of our universe— far beyond Lyme, or our earth, or our solar system— and explore stars, star clusters, nebulae and even whole galaxies, some tens of millions of light-years away. These are the sights […]

    Free

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© Lyme Land Conservation Trust, Inc. dba Lyme Land Trust. The Lyme Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All rights reserved. A special thank you to the photographers that generously shared their work.

Ryan Quinn grew up in Lyme and graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High school. After moving away for college and a career in education, he returned to the area in 2015 with his wife Baylee Drown to start a vegetable farm. In 2019 they were able to become Lyme landowners by purchasing what is now known as Long Table Farm. Prior to being a full time farmer Quinn has worked as a sailor, handyman, science teacher and outdoor educator.

“Moving back to Lyme gave me new appreciation for how the blend of community, open space, and ecology that thrive here have influenced my life. Lyme Land Trust’s mission to preserve and promote these features for the public good is near and dear to my heart. The Lyme Land Trust is one of the institutions that makes Lyme a special place to live.”

Ryan Quinn

Jim’s primary responsibility is to oversee stewardship of the 3130 acres spread across 112 parcels that are owned or managed by LLT. He comes to us with a variety of experiences spanning ecological research and restoration, natural resource and sanctuary management, and environmental education. Improving the outlook for native biodiversity has always motivated Jim, whether by working with people, land, or preferably both at the same time. Most recently he served as conservation biologist at The Connecticut Audubon Society. He holds a BS degree in wildlife and fisheries biology from the University of Vermont and a MS degree in conservation biology from the State University of New York in Syracuse. Jim lives in Middletown.

“It is a giant honor to have this opportunity to help build on the substantial success of the Trust in a part of the world as special as Lyme.”

Jim Arrigoni

Jim Arrigoni

Wendy has lived in Lyme since 1982. Her career has encompassed a combination of art and the natural sciences; as a medical illustrator working at Yale University Medical School for 30 years, and a professor of art at Middlesex Community College for 10 years. She is currently the Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme and co-chair of the Lyme Pollinator Pathway.
“I love the fact that the LLCT seeks to encourage the appreciation of the natural world by exposing people to the wonders of nature through education, guided walks and other opportunities. I believe that preserving the land in its most natural state is very important to the physical and mental health of our planet. I love to learn and there is so much to learn in the woods of Lyme, about the natural world, history and beauty.”

Wendy Hill

Tony has lived in Lyme since 1986. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Management and co-founder of Ecological and Environmental Consulting Services (EECOS) specializing in forest ecology and land use management.

“The Land Trust is critical for the protection of our ecologically diverse and unique near-coastal and riverine landscape, unmatched in the northeast.”

Anthony Irving

Kristina grew up in Old Lyme and has made Lyme her home since 2004. She held numerous jobs in the corporate world and most recently was the Administrative Director of Musical Masterworks, a nonprofit chamber music series in Old Lyme. As the Executive Director, she is responsible for leading the LLCT as it relates to the strategic direction and overall management of the organization. She identifies and implements short-and long-term strategic goals and is accountable to the Board of Directors for achieving those goals.

“The Land Trust protects land for perpetuity, provides outdoor recreation, and educates the surrounding community of the importance of conservation and environmental sustainability. We strive to be an example for other land trusts to follow.”

Kristina White