Past Events
Tuesday Trek: Banningwood Preserve
Date: Tue November 28, 2023Time: 9:00 am
Place: Banningwood Preserve
Contact Email: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim Arrigoni
Explore the rich variety of habitats including meadows, streams and wetlands, and upland and floodplain forests on a gentle ~1.5-mile walk. An ongoing 2.6-acre invasive plant management project will also be highlighted, as well as any birds and other wildlife we see or hear along the way. Meet at parking lot and Preserve entrance on Route 82.
Contact: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Sunday after Thanksgiving Hike – Jewett Preserve Red Trail
Time: 1:00 - 3:30ish pm
Place: Meet at the Cemetery Entrance to Jewett Preserve on Mt. Archer Rd., Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for a post-Thanksgiving hike led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Vice President and Lyme Open Space Coordinator. We will walk the gorgeous red trail at Jewett Preserve, which winds along craggy ridges strewn with boulders, and return on alternate trails in Johnston Preserve to make a loop. There are some moderate hill climbs and some rocky terrain. Walking sticks are recommended. The entire walk is about 3.5 – 4 miles. The walk time is approximate depending upon the group pace.
Snacks will be provided. We will have a snack break. Bring your own water or drink.
Please register: openspace@townlyme.org
Map and brochure of Jewet tand Johnston Preserve. Rain cancels.
The Cemetery entrance Jewett at the top of the hill on north side of Mt Archer Rd. across the street from the Eno Preserve Entrance.
Night Hike with Quinn
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Place: Hartman Park Main Entrance, Gungy Rd. Lyme CT
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Presenter: Quinn
Join Quinn, Lyme Land Trust board member, for a family friendly night hike in Hartman Park. We focus on how our perceptions change and appreciate what night brings to the forests and ponds of Lyme.Our way will be lit by the almost full moon. We will not be using artificial light, but you are invited to bring an emergency flashlight. Dress warmly and bring a walking stick.
Please register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Tuesday Trek: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve / Ravine Trail
Date: Tue November 21, 2023Time: 9:00 am
Place: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve / Ravine Trail
Contact Email: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina White
A roughly 3 plus mile hike past laurel groves, through a ravine and to a beautiful overlook. Park at Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve parking lot on Brush Hill Rd.
Contact: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Volunteer Work Party – Help Create a New Trail at Eno/Mt Archer Woods
Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
Place: Meet at the Jewett Preserve cemetery parking lot ( across from Eno Preserve Entrance, Mt. Archer Rd., Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for a work party to create a woods trail in Mt. Archer Woods to bypass Mt Archer Road.
Tools needed for the morning will be lopping shears, hand pruner, rake and/or hand saw, chain saws, power pruner and weed whacker. Be sure to bring rugged work gloves and wear long sleeves and long pants. Please bring a bottle of water or beverage. Snacks will be provided.
Please Register (walk-ins welcome):
openspace@townlyme.org Wendy Hill, Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator
Sponsored by the Town of Lyme and the Lyme Land Trust
Tree Collective- Teen Hike and Steward Group Meet-up
Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
Place: Register to learn location
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
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.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
Tuesday Trek: Young/Walbridge Preserves
Date: Tue November 14, 2023Time: 9:30 am
Place: Young/Walbridge Preserves
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
The trails are mostly moderately easy with some spectacular rock outcroppings, abundant mountain laurel, and mature forest. Steep incline at the end but there are alternative routes. About 2 miles. Meet at Young Parking lot on Gungy Road, 1/2 mile north of the intersection with Beaver Brook.
Contact: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Five Years Later – Tour of Young Forest Initiative at Slawson Preserve and Nehantic State Forest
Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
Place: Meet at Nehantic State Forest, Northern Boundary Rd. Parking Lot, Keeny Rd, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join CT DEEP foresters Alexander Amendola, Frank Cervo, and Emery Gluck (retired) for a tour of an ongoing young forest project which is designed to provide suitable habitat for New England Cottontail (NEC) and other wildlife species of conservation concern. The walk to the site and back is about 2 miles, moderately rugged with a few short steep climbs and some rocky footing. We will spend time exploring at the site to experience and learn the significance of early successional habitat. Site Map.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org
Directions: Meet at the northernmost parking lot (closest to Beaver Brook Rd.) on Keeny Rd. in Nehantic State Forest. For a map with the meeting place marked.
In order to promote the survival of NEC and other species that benefit from young forest, the Lyme Land Trust partnered with a private landowner as well as State and Federal Agencies to create young forest at Slawson Preserve and surrounding properties. The partners agreed to conduct three harvests of mature trees to create early successional habitat over a 10-year time period. The first harvest on 25-acres of private land was completed in the winter of 2014-15. After receiving funding from the federal NRCS EQIP program, the Land Trust harvested about 25 acres of trees on Slawson Preserve in the winter of 2017-18. A third harvest was conducted on Nehantic State Forest land a few years after that under the direction of forester Emery Gluck. Staggering the treatments ensured that a mosaic of young brushy habitat is available over a longer period of time. Over time, the treatments will be repeated to maintain the young forest.
In addition to NEC, early successional habitat is beneficial to many species such as the prairie warbler, eastern towhee, indigo bunting, American woodcock, wood turtle, and box turtle. Early successional forest is rare in CT because undeveloped land naturally transitions into forests of large mature trees. Historically, young forest habitat was maintained and regenerated by fire, storms, and tree clearance. Learn more about young forests and the New England Cottontail.
Sponsored by Lyme Land Trust, Town of Lyme, and CT DEEP
Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Place: Trail 53 Observatory
Contact Email: astronomy@lymelandtrust.org
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
Lymes’ Senior Center Take-A-Walk Wednesday with Wendy
Time: 9:30 am -11:30ish am
Place: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve, Brush Hill Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: sgould@oldlyme-ct.gov
Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve – We will walk past beautiful natural and manmade stone features. About 2.5 miles. Brockway Hawthorne Preserve.
Directions: Meet at the Brush Hill Rd. parking lot. The parking lot is 1/4 mile south of the intersection of Rte. 82 and Brush Hill Rd in Lyme (Hadlyme Country Market). Look out for the preserve sign which is a little north of the entrance driveway. (Across from 44 Brush Hill Rd.)
Reservations are required. Please email sgould@oldlyme-ct.gov or call 860-434-4127 to reserve your spot. Free to Lyme’s Senior Center members. $5 for non-members.
On the 2nd Wednesday of each month the group will get together at various hiking areas in Lyme and Old Lyme. Hikes will be led by Wendy Hill, Open Space Coordinator of Lyme and the Vice President of Lyme Land Trust. The walks are moderately easy, unless otherwise noted. The trails are dirt paths and may have uneven footing with roots and small rocks. There will be moderate inclines. Wear sturdy footwear and bring a hiking stick or pole if you would like. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Everyone welcome. Inclement weather cancels the hike.
Sponsored by the Lyme’s Senior Center.
