Past Events

Trailblazer Walk- Slawson Preserve-The Bunny Habitat Restoration Project

Date: Tue June 13, 2017
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Place: 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Join us for a walk at the Lyme Land Trust’s Slawson nature preserve and neighboring properties to view the bunny habitat restoration project.  We are repeating the June 3rd CT Trails Day hike route in case you missed the walk or if you want to see it again. Mark LaCasse, Master Wildlife Conservationist and professional land manager of one of the abutting private lands will join us to explain the ongoing cooperative project of the Land Trust and neighboring properties. They are in the process of improving the land in stages for the benefit of the threatened New England cottontail rabbit and more than 50 species of greatest conservation need. The habitat that has been created so far has attracted an incredible diversity of wildlife and plants. Bring your binoculars.

Rain cancels

Parking is available at 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT. Follow the dirt driveway to the parking area. We have permission to park at the end of this long private driveway for this special event only. No dogs please.


Join us for a walk at the Lyme Land Trust’s Slawson nature preserve and neighboring properties to view the bunny habitat restoration project.  We are repeating the June 3rd CT Trails Day hike route in case you missed the walk or if you want to see it again. Mark LaCasse, Master Wildlife Conservationist and professional land manager of one of the abutting private lands will join us to explain the ongoing cooperative project of the Land Trust and neighboring properties. They are in the process of improving the land in stages for the benefit of the threatened New England cottontail rabbit and more than 50 species of greatest conservation need. The habitat that has been created so far has attracted an incredible diversity of wildlife and plants. Bring your binoculars.

Rain cancels

Parking is available at 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT. Follow the dirt driveway to the parking area. We have permission to park at the end of this long private driveway for this special event only. No dogs please.


Work Party at new Brockway Hawthorne Preserve

Date: Mon June 5, 2017 thru Tue June 6, 2017
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 am
Place: Park on Brush Hill Road about 1/4 mile south of the Hadlyme Country Store.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Please join us on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 from 9:30-11:30 to help blaze trails and mark the boundaries to prepare the Brockway Hawthorne Preserve for public access. Bring along a hammer and your heavy-duty gloves and light-weight pruners and/or loppers.

Rain cancels.

Park on Brush Hill Road about 1/4 mile south of the Hadlyme Country Store.


Please join us on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 from 9:30-11:30 to help blaze trails and mark the boundaries to prepare the Brockway Hawthorne Preserve for public access. Bring along a hammer and your heavy-duty gloves and light-weight pruners and/or loppers.

Rain cancels.

Park on Brush Hill Road about 1/4 mile south of the Hadlyme Country Store.


CT Trails Day Walk

event image
Photo by Carly & Art
Date: Sat June 3, 2017
Time: 10am -12pm
Place: Slawson Preserve Parking at 435 Hamburg Road, (Rte 156). Lyme CT.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Join us for a walk at the Lyme Land Trust’€™s Slawson nature preserve with Lisa Wahle, the €œBunny Lady, a biologist who works on young forest habitat restoration, and Mark LaCasse, Master Wildlife Conservationist and professional land manager of one of the abutting private lands, and Emery Gluck, who manages habitat restoration at Nehantic State Forest as part of CT DEEP Division of Forestry. We will see the on-going process to improve the land for the benefit of the threatened New England cottontail rabbit and more than 50 species of greatest conservation need including prairie warbler, ruffed grouse, indigo bunting, American woodcock, wood turtle, and blue spotted salamander. Interested residents can find more information about bunnies here.

Parking is available at 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT. Follow the dirt driveway to the parking area. We have permission to park at the end of this long private driveway for this special event only. No dogs please.

Reservations Appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org


Join us for a walk at the Lyme Land Trust’€™s Slawson nature preserve with Lisa Wahle, the €œBunny Lady, a biologist who works on young forest habitat restoration, and Mark LaCasse, Master Wildlife Conservationist and professional land manager of one of the abutting private lands, and Emery Gluck, who manages habitat restoration at Nehantic State Forest as part of CT DEEP Division of Forestry. We will see the on-going process to improve the land for the benefit of the threatened New England cottontail rabbit and more than 50 species of greatest conservation need including prairie warbler, ruffed grouse, indigo bunting, American woodcock, wood turtle, and blue spotted salamander. Interested residents can find more information about bunnies here.

Parking is available at 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT. Follow the dirt driveway to the parking area. We have permission to park at the end of this long private driveway for this special event only. No dogs please.

Reservations Appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org


Volunteer Work Party to Clear Path at Slawson Preserve.

Date: Tue May 30, 2017
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Place: 435 Hamburg Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Please join us at the Land Trust’s Slawson Preserve to clear the path for the CT Trails Day Walk. The paths at Slawson are not maintained. We will clear them for this special event. We may have fallen trees to cut so a chain saw will be welcome. Bring along your heavy-duty gloves and light-weight tools: rakes, leaf blowers, power tools, weeders, pruners, and/or loppers.

Rain cancels.

Park at 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT (private driveway). Follow the dirt driveway to the parking area by the barn.


Please join us at the Land Trust’s Slawson Preserve to clear the path for the CT Trails Day Walk. The paths at Slawson are not maintained. We will clear them for this special event. We may have fallen trees to cut so a chain saw will be welcome. Bring along your heavy-duty gloves and light-weight tools: rakes, leaf blowers, power tools, weeders, pruners, and/or loppers.

Rain cancels.

Park at 435 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT (private driveway). Follow the dirt driveway to the parking area by the barn.


Lyme Land Trust’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting

event image
Date: Fri May 26, 2017
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Road (Rte 156) Hamburg, CT
Contact Email: info@lymelandtrust.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Happy 50th anniversary! 

Exactly fifty years ago on May 26, 1967, a group of Lyme residents with the vision to preserve the beautiful open space and rural quality of Lyme met in the former Fire Department building for the first annual meeting of the Lyme Land Conservation Trust! That building that is now the Lyme Public Hall and the 2017 event will be held in the same meeting room.

Everyone – members, volunteers and especially those who have previously served on the Board – is welcome. Because of the celebratory nature of the meeting, the business portion will be brief and the emphasis will be on socializing. Join us for community cheer, light fare, and libations.


Happy 50th anniversary! 

Exactly fifty years ago on May 26, 1967, a group of Lyme residents with the vision to preserve the beautiful open space and rural quality of Lyme met in the former Fire Department building for the first annual meeting of the Lyme Land Conservation Trust! That building that is now the Lyme Public Hall and the 2017 event will be held in the same meeting room.

Everyone – members, volunteers and especially those who have previously served on the Board – is welcome. Because of the celebratory nature of the meeting, the business portion will be brief and the emphasis will be on socializing. Join us for community cheer, light fare, and libations.


Tour de Lyme 2017

event image
Date: Sun May 21, 2017
Time: starting at 8 am
Place: Ashlawn Farms, Bill Hill Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: info@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Lyme Land Conservation Trust
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Please join us for the fifth annual Tour de Lyme cycling event with beautifully scenic routes for all ages and levels. We’re looking forward seeing you!

The Lyme Land Trust inaugurated Tour de Lyme in 2013 as an annual bike ride to raise funds to support its mission of preserving and protecting environmentally important land in Lyme. Learn more about the Tour de Lyme.


Please join us for the fifth annual Tour de Lyme cycling event with beautifully scenic routes for all ages and levels. We’re looking forward seeing you!

The Lyme Land Trust inaugurated Tour de Lyme in 2013 as an annual bike ride to raise funds to support its mission of preserving and protecting environmentally important land in Lyme. Learn more about the Tour de Lyme.


Trailblazers- Walk at Ravine Trail-CANCELLED

event image
Date: Wed March 22, 2017
Time: 10:00 am
Place: Selden preserve Parking Lot, Joshuatown Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Trailblazer walks are on hold until the snow goes away.

Come walk the new trails at The Ravine Trail. The entrance has been moved to a more pedestrian-safe location on Joshuatown Road, across the street from the parking lot. The new section of the red trail combined with the new yellow trail creates a moderately easy loop. A new blue trail off the yellow trail offers a trip to a breathtaking overlook.

The hike will be led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The new section is about 1 mile long. We will have an option to walk longer.

Meet at the Selden Creek Preserve entrance on Joshuatown Road in Lyme.

Rain Cancels.

Directions: Rte 156 North to left on Joshuatown Road (about 5 miles from I-95); travel about 4 miles to park entrance on the left.


Trailblazer walks are on hold until the snow goes away.

Come walk the new trails at The Ravine Trail. The entrance has been moved to a more pedestrian-safe location on Joshuatown Road, across the street from the parking lot. The new section of the red trail combined with the new yellow trail creates a moderately easy loop. A new blue trail off the yellow trail offers a trip to a breathtaking overlook.

The hike will be led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The new section is about 1 mile long. We will have an option to walk longer.

Meet at the Selden Creek Preserve entrance on Joshuatown Road in Lyme.

Rain Cancels.

Directions: Rte 156 North to left on Joshuatown Road (about 5 miles from I-95); travel about 4 miles to park entrance on the left.


Eleventh Annual Land Trusts Amateur Photo Contest Reception

Date: Fri March 10, 2017
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Place: Lymes Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT
Contact Email: photocontest@LymeLandTrust.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Please join us for a reception to showcase the photos submitted to the contest, which celebrates the scenic beauty of our towns.  The work of all the photographers who entered will be represented in the exhibit. During the reception, the photo contest winners will be announced, and cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded. The reception is free. Light refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening.

Reservations are not required.

The reception is sponsored by the Land Trusts in the towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, East Haddam, Essex and Salem.

Contest awards are being funded with the generous support of RiverQuest /Connecticut River Expeditions, Lorensen Auto Group, the Oakley Wing Group at Morgan Stanley, Evan Griswold at Coldwell Banker, Ballek’s Garden Center, Essex Savings Bank, and Alison Mitchell in honor of her late husband John G. Mitchell.

Photo by Melinda Hill

For more information about the Photo Contest


Please join us for a reception to showcase the photos submitted to the contest, which celebrates the scenic beauty of our towns.  The work of all the photographers who entered will be represented in the exhibit. During the reception, the photo contest winners will be announced, and cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded. The reception is free. Light refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening.

Reservations are not required.

The reception is sponsored by the Land Trusts in the towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, East Haddam, Essex and Salem.

Contest awards are being funded with the generous support of RiverQuest /Connecticut River Expeditions, Lorensen Auto Group, the Oakley Wing Group at Morgan Stanley, Evan Griswold at Coldwell Banker, Ballek’s Garden Center, Essex Savings Bank, and Alison Mitchell in honor of her late husband John G. Mitchell.

Photo by Melinda Hill

For more information about the Photo Contest


Broadcast of Film about Lyme and Lyme Land Trust on CPTV

Date: Sat January 14, 2017
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: In the comfort of your own home
Contact Email: info@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Visonaries Documentaries
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

sam3At long last, the PBS documentary produced by Visionaries on Lyme and the Lyme Land Trust will be broadcast by an estimated 100 PBS Stations nationwide. Each station decides when they broadcast. Some in different parts of the country have already done so. CPTV in Connecticut will broadcast on Saturday January 14, 2017 at 7:00pm. For an article from the Day newspaper

The film is hosted by famed actor Sam Waterston and tells the amazing success story of the Lyme Land Conservation Trust and the special relationship it has had with the Town of Lyme. Many familiar faces appear. Probably the most compelling is footage taken during Earth Day celebrations with the students of Lyme Consolidated. For information on the making of the film.

Photo of Sam Waterston provided.


sam3At long last, the PBS documentary produced by Visionaries on Lyme and the Lyme Land Trust will be broadcast by an estimated 100 PBS Stations nationwide. Each station decides when they broadcast. Some in different parts of the country have already done so. CPTV in Connecticut will broadcast on Saturday January 14, 2017 at 7:00pm. For an article from the Day newspaper

The film is hosted by famed actor Sam Waterston and tells the amazing success story of the Lyme Land Conservation Trust and the special relationship it has had with the Town of Lyme. Many familiar faces appear. Probably the most compelling is footage taken during Earth Day celebrations with the students of Lyme Consolidated. For information on the making of the film.

Photo of Sam Waterston provided.


End of Year Hike – Pleasant Valley Overlook

Date: Sat December 31, 2016
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30ish pm
Place: Meet at Pleasant Valley Parking Lot, Macintosh Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

pleasant-valleyWendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk in Pleasant Valley and Jewett Preserve. to the overlook in Pleasant Valley. This is the time of year to get a beautiful unobstructed view from the overlook. There is a long gentle incline to get to the overlook.

The entire walk is about 3 miles. We will have a snack break on the overlook. Bring something to drink.

Everyone is welcome.

Rain or snow cancels.

Directions: Rt. 156 north to left on Macintosh Rd. (across from Beaver Brook Road.) The parking area is about 1/4  mile on the right.

Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org

Photo by Wendolyn Hill


pleasant-valleyWendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk in Pleasant Valley and Jewett Preserve. to the overlook in Pleasant Valley. This is the time of year to get a beautiful unobstructed view from the overlook. There is a long gentle incline to get to the overlook.

The entire walk is about 3 miles. We will have a snack break on the overlook. Bring something to drink.

Everyone is welcome.

Rain or snow cancels.

Directions: Rt. 156 north to left on Macintosh Rd. (across from Beaver Brook Road.) The parking area is about 1/4  mile on the right.

Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org

Photo by Wendolyn Hill