Beautiful walk, about 3 miles with a moderate incline to the overlooks and back. We’ll check out the bluff meadow restoration work that was carried out in Winter 2025. Meet at the parking area on Rt. 82. Register: openspace@townlyme.org View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Gentle 1-mile walk through deciduous forest and several stone walls. We’ll pause at the overlook of the beaver pond to check on basking turtles and wading birds looking for a meal, so bring binoculars if you wish. Meet at the parking lot on Old Grassy Hill Road. Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Come and see what's been growing at our place and what are plans are for the Fall. Join Mike Baczewski, landscape designer, and Matt Griswold, owner of Judge's Farm, as they share how they have collaborated with the land trust to transform a former gravel pit into a lush, climate-resilient landscape of native plants. Light […]
A rich diversity of wildlife species depends on young forests, but this habitat type is uncommon in our region that is characterized by older woodlands. Come see and hear the difference for yourself on an expert-led bird walk at Lyme Land Trust’s Slawson and Rabbits’ Rest Preserves! While these unique preserves lack marked trails for […]
This will be a 1 to 1.5 mile hike along the Eightmile River. This preserve has a diversity of habitats including fields, wetlands, forests and riparian areas. The Patrell Preserve also has great examples of glacial geologic features including kettle ponds and eskers. We will meet at the parking area on Baker Lane in East […]
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 […]
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 […]
Celebrate the upcoming autumn equinox and come into the natural cycles and rhythm of nature. Restore and replenish for the season ahead. Our time together includes gentle mindful movement, nature meditation, and opportunities to connect with the natural world along the way. The session concludes with tea together. The walk is about 1.5-miles round trip […]
Join Jim Natale, naturalist and amateur botanist, on a ramble to identify all types of plants in their Fall beauty. Jim, who is an expert identifier, has been submitting observations to the iNaturalist app for six years. He has logged almost 39,000 observations and is an official identifier. On the walk, he will demonstrate how […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
The deadline is September 30- 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 […]
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
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
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.”