Lyme Land Conservation Trust

Why do Preserves Matter? - A Biologist's Perspective
2025-09-21 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Hadlyme Public Hall, 63 Ferry Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Focusing on a few local wildlife species, LLT’s Jim Arrigoni will explore how our preserves meet the needs of charismatic critters to survive the seasons.
Free admission

Tuesday Trek: Hartman Park – Wendy
2025-09-23 09:30 - 11:30 | Hartman Park, Gungy Rd, Lyme, CT, United States
Let’s explore the fall wildflowers in the meadow before we walk the yellow and red trails to see what the beavers are up to. Meet at the Field Entrance. The Field Entrance is about 1/2 mile north of the Hartman Park Main Entrance on Gungy Rd. Park along the side of the road.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

CANCELLED–Take-a-Walk Wednesday: Gillette’s Castle State Park - Wendy
2025-09-24 09:30 - 11:30 | Gillette Castle, Ferry Rd, Lyme, United States
This walk is cancelled due to rain. Gillette’s Castle State Park. 67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT. Meet at the main parking lot by the visitor center. We will walk up to the Castle terrace, which is in Lyme, to see the most spectacular view of the CT River and the Hadlyme Ferry. We will explore the moderately easy dirt path route that was once a narrow gauge train trail. About 2 miles.
Contact: hillwendyb@gmail.com
View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule

FULL - Fungal Ecology Walk–Mushrooms with Bill Yule
2025-09-27 10:00 | Hartman Park, Gungy Rd, Lyme, CT, United States
FULL – Join us for this fascinating walk with naturalist and mycologist Bill Yule, to walk, talk, and discover mushrooms. Bill will explain about forest and watershed ecology and all things fungal.
If you wish, bring mushrooms from home for identification after the walk.
On the walk, we will discuss how you can upload your observations to support the Wild Lyme Project and its mission to catalog and compare the biodiversity of preserves protected by the Town of Lyme, The Nature Conservancy, and the Lyme Land Trust. Participants wishing to record observations to iNat should bring a smartphone, camera, or both. All skill levels are welcome, from experienced to those who have never used the iNaturalist app.
Space is limited. The walk is full. Email to be put on the wait list. education@lymelandtrust.org
“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.

Building Resilient Landscapes – Right Plant, Right Place for Right Now
2025-09-28 16:00 - 17:30 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, Lyme, CT, CT, 06371, United States
Join Lyme Pollinator Pathway for this program with horticulturist Tom Christopher, He will present strategies to help you choose plants to prioritize biodiversity, soil health, and water management in your yards, thereby creating habitats that can easily withstand challenges like extreme weather conditions and invasive species. Tom Christopher is host of the podcast Growing Greener, as well as an author/collaborator for several books and columns about improving the environment with native plant restoration.
Co-sponsored by Lyme Pollinator Pathway, Pollinator Pathway East Lyme, and Pollinate Old Lyme.
This program is funded by a grant from the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee
https://www.thomaschristophergardens.com/

Tuesday Trek: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve – Jim
2025-09-30 09:00 - 11:00 | Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve, Brush Hill Road, Lyme, CT, United States
Mixed deciduous and conifer forests blanket this gently rolling landscape featuring vernal pools and Whalebone Creek. Gentle-to-moderate 2.5 mile walk.
Meet at the parking lot off of Brush Hill Road.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Fall Native Plant Sale!
2025-10-05 12:00 - 14:00 | John Pritchard Conservation Center, 12-1 Town St, Lyme, CT, United States
Time to plant for next year!
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 and where to grow these local wonders.
Gallon: $12
3.5 inch pot: $5
Plant Sale List for October 5

DEADLINE EXTENDED – Imagining Lyme – Photo Submission Deadline – Summer
2025-10-07 | Imagining Lyme Website
The deadline has been extended to October 7 – Submit up to three of your favorite summer photos to share. The Lyme Land Trust program Imagining Lyme: A Visual Exploration of Lyme’s Preserves encourages everyone to expand their visual awareness and highlight the beauty of the Lyme preserves owned by the Lyme Land Trust, the Town of Lyme, The Nature Conservancy, or the State of CT by taking photographs prompted by inspiration from professional photographers and artists. Amateur photographers may submit photos. Photographers do not have to be residents of Lyme but all photos must be taken in Lyme in any of these places:

Lyme Preserves owned and/or managed by the Lyme Land Trust, Town of Lyme, The Nature Conservancy, and the State of CT. View a map of the preserves
Pollinator/wildlife habitat with native plants in Lyme – May be in a backyard, local farm, preserve or in a Lyme Pollinator Pathway garden in Lyme, CT.
Trail 53 – The clear sky above Lyme.

For more information and to submit photos

Tuesday Trek: Pleasant Valley Preserve – Quinn
2025-10-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Pleasant Valley Preserve, Macintosh Road, Lyme CT, Lyme, CT, United States
We are going to explore the trails of the Pleasant Valley Preserve. Pleasant Valley has it all, rivers, streams, fields, forests, hills, deciduous trees, evergreen trees, etc. There are many options for hike length but I want to aim for a 2 or 2.5 mile round trip. We will meet at the parking area on MacIntosh Rd.
Register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Tuesday Trek: Jewett Preserve – Wendy
2025-10-14 09:30 - 11:30 | Jewett/Pleasant Valley Preserve, 10 MacIntosh Rd, lyme, CT, 06371, United States
We will walk a moderately easy white trail loop of about 2.5 miles, passing through through beautiful wooded sections with interesting natural and manmade rock structures, beginning at the MT Archer Parking Lot, Mt Archer Rd, Lyme
Register: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Take-a-Walk Wednesday: Rocky Neck Beach. Rte 156, Niantic, CT - Wendy
2025-10-15 09:30 - 11:30 | Rocky Neck Beach, Rocky Neck Beach Rte 156, Niantic, CT, United States
This walk was originally planned for October 8, but was postponed to October 15 due to rain. A beautiful wooded walk along the salt marshes toward the beach on Long Island Sound. Bring binoculars if you have them. 2 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.
Contact: hillwendyb@gmail.com
View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule

October 17, 2025 Astronomy Observing Session
2025-10-17 18:30 - 20:30 | 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 several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory. Inside the observatory, views are afforded at the eyepiece and via real-time digital enhancement. Public sessions are co-facilitated by one or more of our growing cadre of astronomy cohorts: Mark Borton, Roger Charbonneau Jr, Jon Dean, Jay Drew, Deb Fennell, Scott Mallory, John Natale, Lee Polikoff, Parag Sahasrabudhe, Mark Strollo, Jerry Tardif and Alan Sheiness.
Young or old, experienced or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. And if you have a telescope, we encourage you to bring it out. The more, the merrier. Just follow the guidelines in the pdf you receive when you RSVP.
PLEASE NOTE:
Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines. Bear in mind, observing sessions involve walking in the dark on uneven terrain. You should expect to encounter patches of grass, ruts, exposed stone, etc. as is common throughout Lyme’s natural landscapes. Please wear appropriate footwear and have a red-light source handy. For those in need, a loaner red light will be provided at the parking and at the main observatory.
For questions or comments, please contact us at astronomy@lymelandtrust.org.
Clear skies!
PS
Is it cloudy out? Then click here to see the full Trail 53 Astrophotography Gallery!

The Lyme Land Trust Astronomy Group aspires to inspire and pursue the advancement of knowledge of astronomy through public outreach programs including but not limited to observation events, education programs, and presentations about varied astronomical topics by our members and guest speakers.
If you like these programs and you are not currently a Lyme Land Trust Member, please consider joining us using the green Become A Member link at the top of the LLT page.

Eightmile Riverfest
2025-10-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Devil’s Hopyard State Park, 366 Hopyard Rd, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Come visit the Lyme Land Trust’s table at the Eightmile River Watershed for Eightmile RiverFest. This FREE event is a celebration of the Wild & Scenic Eightmile River and the local conservation-focused organizations. Attendees can enjoy bluegrass music from the Homer Mountain Boys along with free cookies, soup and cider from the Moodus Sportsman Club and the Eightmile River Watershed Committee. Exhibitors range from local land trusts to wildlife rehabilitators to state organizations and offer a variety of information, demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

Join us for FREE:– Bluegrass Music by The Hosmer Mountain Boys– Soup/chowder by the Moodus Sportsman Club– Cookies and cider by the Eightmile River Committee– Nature Drawing with Salem ArtSpace– Live opossums with Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue– History walks to Chapman Falls– Information, demonstration and activities with local conservation organizations!

Severe weather cancels. See Facebook page or www.eightmileriver.org for updates.

Tree Collective- Teen Hike and Steward Group Meet-up
2025-10-19 13:00 - 15:30, 2025-11-16 13:00 - 15:30 | Register to learn location
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. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Regan Stacey is a mother whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature.
Tools and gloves provided.
For more information and for the schedule of meet-up dates.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Tuesday Trek: Johnston Preserve – Jim
2025-10-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Johnston Preserve, Meet at the parking area on Rt. 82., Lyme, CT, United States
Moderate 2.5-mile walk through dramatic bedrock outcrops and mature forest. We’ll pause at the highest point in Lyme to enjoy the fall foliage which offers many clues to aid tree identification. Meet at the parking lot on Route 82
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Family Trail Time with Tori–Selden Creek Preserve
2025-10-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Rd, Lyme, United States
Take a walk to the refreshing waters of Selden Creek Preserve where you may get your feet wet. Detailed Trail Map and brochure

Garlic Planting Celebration with Long Table Farm and Bloom Preserve
2025-10-26 11:00 - 14:00 | Pleasant Valley Preserve, Macintosh Road, Lyme CT, Lyme, CT, United States
Join the Lyme Land trust and Long Table Farm for a three-part activity at the Bloom Preserve. First, Ryan Quinn and Baylee Drown will lead a discussion about the shared values of the Lyme Land Trust and Long Table Farm. Then, participants will have the opportunity to practice those values with the annual Community Garlic Planting in the Bloom field. Finally, join us back at Long Table Farm (256 Beaver Brook Road in Lyme) for a potluck. Vegan and Vegetarian soups will be provided.

Location: Bloom Preserve – Park at the Pleasant Valley Preserve parking area on Macintosh Rd.; the Bloom Preserve is across the street.

CANCELLED - Tuesday Trek: Plimpton Preserve – Quinn
2025-10-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Plimpton Preserve, Sterling City Road, Lyme, United States
This walk is cancelled. This will be a moderate 1.75 mile hike right in the center of Lyme. There are some significant elevation changes especially at the start and end of the hike but that effort will be rewarded with a nice lookout half way through our hike. We will meet at the trail entrance with parking along Sterling City Road.
Register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

November Nights - Creatures of the Night: Opossums
2025-11-01 15:00 - 17:00 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, Lyme, CT, CT, 06371, United States
image: Oliver, photo courtesy of Pam Lefferts, Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue.
Come learn about one of the most fascinating nocturnal creatures who share our habitat: opossums! Expert Pam Lefferts from Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue will share little-known facts about these amazing animals, and bring her opossum ambassadors so you can meet them in person. She will give a brief overview about her wildlife rehabilitation program and share tips about how can we can all help backyard wildlife survive the winter.
November 1, 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd. in Lyme
RSVP: education@lymelandtrust.org
Part of a series of events celebrating November Nights.
Brigitte, photo courtesy of Pam Lefferts, Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue

Tuesday Trek: Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Rd., East Haddam – Wendy
2025-11-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Rd, East Haddam, United States
About 3 miles, blue trail loop in pristine upland forest with a section along vibrant Burnham Brook plus the red trail which has beautiful scenic vistas.
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 to the right), take left onto Dolbia Hill Rd. Park by Preserve sign along the side of the road.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Cider Celebration Walk and Happy Hour
2025-11-06 16:00 - 18:00 | Yankee Cider Company, 23 Petticoat Lane, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
This event was postponed from Oct 30 to Nov 6 due to weather. Celebrate Fall and Cider! Join the East Haddam and Lyme Land Trust for a refreshing walk through the apple orchard and surrounding property at the Yankee Cider Company to enjoy the beautiful Fall colors. After the walk, enjoy a fun social hour in the Yankee Cider Company Tap Room, which offers delicious New England Style hard ciders made from apples grown in the orchards. Yankee Cider Company will provide our group a 50% discount for your first drink order. They have a great variety of ciders and wine; non-alcohol cider and snacks are also available! https://www.yankeeciders.com/
To register: education@lymelandtrust.org
Co-sponsored with the East Haddam Land Trust

Work and Learn About Invasive Plants Meet-Up
2025-11-08 09:00 - 16:00 | Jewett/Pleasant Valley Preserve, 10 MacIntosh Rd, lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Join or leave any time during the day. Come join a group of volunteers led by naturalist and habitat restorer Jim Natale. Learn to identify and remove invasive plants to restore natural areas. Get outside and be active in nature. Give back to nature by stewardship. Learn about the region’s ecology.
What to bring: Water, food, shovels, loppers, handsaws, pruners, a backpack, gloves, work shoes, durable clothing chainsaw or power pruner if you have one.
Jim Natale is owner of Wilder Gardens, LLC, whose mission is to establish a regional community, the Invasive Plant Work Group, to restore native habitat throughout the region. See the Meet-Up Post.
This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Lyme and Lyme Land Trust.

November Nights - A Family-Friendly Night Hike
2025-11-08 16:30 - 18:00 | Patrell Preserve, Baker Lane, East Haddam, CT, United States
Join Ryan Quinn, Lyme Land Trust board member, for a family-friendly night hike (ages 5 and up) at Patrell Park Preserve from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. We focus on how our perceptions change and appreciate what night brings to the forests and ponds of Lyme. We will not be using artificial light, but you are invited to bring an emergency flashlight. Dress warmly and bring a walking stick.
Saturday, November 8, 4:30 to 6:00 pm – Patrell Park Preserve
RSVP: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Part of a series of events celebrating November Nights.

November Nights - Bats: Winged Wonders
2025-11-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Hadlyme Public Hall, 63 Ferry Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
image: Eastern Small Footed Bat, photo courtesy of Maureen Heidtmann.
This talk, presented by Maureen Heidtmann at the Hadlyme Public Hall, is an overview of bats of the world, with an emphasis on our local species. Maureen will cover the myths and misconceptions about these fascinating creatures, the many roles that bats play to ensure a healthy planet, the perils bats face in their struggle for survival, their amazing resilience, and what we can do to help.
Maureen is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who has worked with bats for over twenty years. She also holds a Master Wildlife Conservationist certificate, and a permit from USDA to keep non-releasable bats for educational purposes. In Connecticut, Maureen is one of only three rehabilitators approved by DEEP to care for bats. In 2016, she was the designated regional educator for Bat Conservation International, and she has done voluntary fieldwork for BCI, looking for endangered species bats with the goal of protecting their habitat.
Maureen was featured in a Connecticut Wildlife magazine article and in several newspapers for rescuing and raising a rare endangered species, the Eastern Small-Footed Bat (Myotis leibii), the first of its kind to be seen in Connecticut since 1940. She also raised two Northern long-eared bat pups (Myotis septentrionalis), the first discovered in Connecticut in more than twelve years.
Sunday, November 9, 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the Hadlyme Public Hall, 63 Ferry Rd. in Hadlyme
RSVP: education@lymelandtrust.org
Part of a series of events celebrating November Nights.

Tuesday Trek: Eno Preserve – Jim
2025-11-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Eno Preserve, Mt. Archer Rd, Lyme, United States
Gentle 2.5-mile walk among massive Tulip Trees in Eno Preserve. We’ll also explore a vernal pool wetland in Mt. Archer Woods that will be filling up with water again after the summer’s drought. Meet at the Jewett Preserve cemetery parking lot across Mt. Archer Road from the entrance to Eno Preserve.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Work and Learn About Invasive Plants Meet-Up
2025-11-15 09:00 - 16:00 | Jewett/Pleasant Valley Preserve, 10 MacIntosh Rd, lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Join or leave any time during the day. Follow the orange flags to the work site. Come join a group of volunteers led by naturalist and habitat restorer Jim Natale. Learn to identify and remove invasive plants to restore natural areas. Get outside and be active in nature. Give back to nature by stewardship. Learn about the region’s ecology.
What to bring: Water, food, shovels, loppers, handsaws, pruners, a backpack, gloves, work shoes, durable clothing chainsaw or power pruner if you have one.
Jim Natale is owner of Wilder Gardens, LLC, whose mission is to establish a regional community, the Invasive Plant Work Group, to restore native habitat throughout the region. See the Meet-Up Post.
This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Lyme and Lyme Land Trust.

Tuesday Trek: Honey Hill Preserve – Quinn
2025-11-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Honey Hill Preserve, Clark Rd, Lyme, CT, United States
This will be a shortish 1 mile hike on the Honey Hill preserve in the north of Lyme. I am looking forward to taking my time and discovering some of the hidden gems Honey Hill has to offer. We will meet at the parking area for the Honey Hill Preserve on Clark Rd. off of route 82.
Register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Take-a-Walk Wednesday: Hartman Park Preserve - Wendy
2025-11-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Hartman Park, Gungy Rd, Lyme, CT, United States
Hartman Park Preserve, Gungy Rd. Lyme CT. Meet at the Main Entrance parking lot. The unique natural, historic and archeological features in Hartman Park make it a delight to explore. We will look for Beaver activity. About 2 miles.
Directions: The parking lot is about 1.5 miles north of the intersection of Gungy Rd, Beaver Brook Rd, and Grassy Hill Rd. In Lyme. From the Hall’s Rd Old Lyme traffic light, travel north on 156 for 6.6 miles. Turn right onto Beaver Brook Rd and travel 2.7 to left at intersection.
Contact: hillwendyb@gmail.com
View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule

CANCELLED - Work and Learn About Invasive Plants Meet-Up
2025-11-22 08:30 - 10:30 | Jewett/Pleasant Valley Preserve, 10 MacIntosh Rd, lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Cancelled due to rain. Join or leave any time during the day. Follow the orange flags to the work site. Come join a group of volunteers led by naturalist and habitat restorer Jim Natale. Learn to identify and remove invasive plants to restore natural areas. We are focusing on removing Burning Bush. Get outside and be active in nature. Give back to nature by stewardship. Learn about the region’s ecology.
What to bring: Water, food, loppers, handsaws, pruners, a backpack, gloves, work shoes, durable clothing, chainsaw or power pruner if you have one.
Jim Natale is owner of Wilder Gardens, LLC, whose mission is to establish a regional community, the Invasive Plant Work Group, to restore native habitat throughout the region. See the Meet-Up Post.
This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Lyme and Lyme Land Trust.
