Past Events
Trailblazer Walk- Banningwood Preserve
Date: Tue November 17, 2015Time: 10 am
Place: Banningwood Preserve, Town Street (Rte. 82), Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for a moderately easy walk at Banningwood Preserve on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 10 am. Everyone is welcome.
We will explore Banningwood Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. The hike is a about 2 miles. Banningwood is a beautiful preserve with meadows, mature forests, cedar groves, and dramatic rock outcroppings. Roaring Brook meanders through it. We will visit abandoned stone quarries. There are a few rocky areas so donât forget to bring your walking stick!
Painting by Trenton Young, from the Paint-out in October 2014.
Rain cancels.
Directions: The Preserve parking area is less than 1/4 mile north of Hadlyme Four Corners on Town Street (Rte 82). Look for the sign. From Rt. 156 West (going north): At the end of Rte. 156, turn left onto Rte 82. At the flashing red stoplight (Hadlyme Four Corners), turn right to continue on Rte 82W (going north). The parking area is less than 1/4 mile on the right.
Join us for a moderately easy walk at Banningwood Preserve on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 10 am. Everyone is welcome.
We will explore Banningwood Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. The hike is a about 2 miles. Banningwood is a beautiful preserve with meadows, mature forests, cedar groves, and dramatic rock outcroppings. Roaring Brook meanders through it. We will visit abandoned stone quarries. There are a few rocky areas so donât forget to bring your walking stick!
Painting by Trenton Young, from the Paint-out in October 2014.
Rain cancels.
Directions: The Preserve parking area is less than 1/4 mile north of Hadlyme Four Corners on Town Street (Rte 82). Look for the sign. From Rt. 156 West (going north): At the end of Rte. 156, turn left onto Rte 82. At the flashing red stoplight (Hadlyme Four Corners), turn right to continue on Rte 82W (going north). The parking area is less than 1/4 mile on the right.
Red Sunday Hike – Hartman Park
Date: Sun November 8, 2015Time: 1:00 - 3:30ish pm
Place: Meet at Hartman Park Parking Lot
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
For those who want to hike at a steady pace, Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk on the Red Trail in Hartman Park. This is a beautiful moderate trail that winds along craggy ridges strewn with boulders. The route will follow a portion of the Goodwin Trail.
The Goodwin Trail, overseen by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, is a an extended trail system crossing four towns: East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and East Lyme. In the future, the goal is to connect to other existing trail systems in surrounding towns. Dr. Richard H. Goodwin (1911-2007) was president of the Nature Conservancy from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1964 to 1966. The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was started in 1951, and Dr. Goodwin was one of its founders. Since then, it has protected 15 million acres of land in the United States and 102 million acres in 29 other countries.
The entire walk is about 4 miles. We will take a short break halfway through. Bring a snack and something to drink.
Meet at the Parking Lot of Hartman Park on Gungy Road in Lyme.
Rain cancels.
Directions: Hartman Park is on Gungy Road about 1 mile north of the 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Beaverbrook Road, Grassy Hill Road, and Gungy Road.
Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org
For those who want to hike at a steady pace, Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk on the Red Trail in Hartman Park. This is a beautiful moderate trail that winds along craggy ridges strewn with boulders. The route will follow a portion of the Goodwin Trail.
The Goodwin Trail, overseen by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, is a an extended trail system crossing four towns: East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and East Lyme. In the future, the goal is to connect to other existing trail systems in surrounding towns. Dr. Richard H. Goodwin (1911-2007) was president of the Nature Conservancy from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1964 to 1966. The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was started in 1951, and Dr. Goodwin was one of its founders. Since then, it has protected 15 million acres of land in the United States and 102 million acres in 29 other countries.
The entire walk is about 4 miles. We will take a short break halfway through. Bring a snack and something to drink.
Meet at the Parking Lot of Hartman Park on Gungy Road in Lyme.
Rain cancels.
Directions: Hartman Park is on Gungy Road about 1 mile north of the 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Beaverbrook Road, Grassy Hill Road, and Gungy Road.
Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org
Trailblazers – Walk at Selden Creek Preserve
Date: Tue November 3, 2015Time: 9:30 am
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for this moderately easy (a few hills) walk in the woods. We will walk to an impressive overlook of Selden Creek and marshes with the CT River in the background. Everyone is welcome.
This weekâs hike will explore the Selden Creek Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2 miles long with an option to walk longer. We will 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.
photo by Wendolyn Hill
Join us for this moderately easy (a few hills) walk in the woods. We will walk to an impressive overlook of Selden Creek and marshes with the CT River in the background. Everyone is welcome.
This weekâs hike will explore the Selden Creek Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2 miles long with an option to walk longer. We will 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.
photo by Wendolyn Hill
Nature and Culture at Mt. Archer Woods – Talk and Walk
Date: Sat October 24, 2015Time: 10 am to noon
Place: Meet at Mt Archer Woods parking lot on Mt Archer Road
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Enjoy a beautiful walk in the fall foliage led by Brantley Buerger, Lyme Land Trust board member and steward of Mt. Archer Woods As we walk, he will talk about the fascinating flora, fauna and history of Mt. Archer Woods. Along the way, we will visit the ruins of a colonial farm and learn about the crash of a WWII enemy airplane. 
The walk is moderately easy, family friendly and will take about 2 hours.
Rain date: Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 am
Directions: Rt. 156 north to Mt. Archer Road. Left onto Mt Archer Road. Go one mile on Mt Archer Road (bear left up the big hill). The parking lot is down a long driveway on the left, the 4th long driveway after you start up the hill. Look for the stone post marker that has âMt Archer Woods Town of Lymeâ written on it. It faces the road, so you canât read it until you are on top of it. (If you get to 100 Mt. Archer Road, you have gone too far).
Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org
Enjoy a beautiful walk in the fall foliage led by Brantley Buerger, Lyme Land Trust board member and steward of Mt. Archer Woods As we walk, he will talk about the fascinating flora, fauna and history of Mt. Archer Woods. Along the way, we will visit the ruins of a colonial farm and learn about the crash of a WWII enemy airplane. 
The walk is moderately easy, family friendly and will take about 2 hours.
Rain date: Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 am
Directions: Rt. 156 north to Mt. Archer Road. Left onto Mt Archer Road. Go one mile on Mt Archer Road (bear left up the big hill). The parking lot is down a long driveway on the left, the 4th long driveway after you start up the hill. Look for the stone post marker that has âMt Archer Woods Town of Lymeâ written on it. It faces the road, so you canât read it until you are on top of it. (If you get to 100 Mt. Archer Road, you have gone too far).
Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org
The Natural Beauty of Plum Island – Art Show Opening and Presentation on Preserving Plum Island for Future Generations
Date: Thu October 22, 2015Time: 6:00 pm
Place: The Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd, Lyme
Contact Email: info@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Chris Cryder, Save the Sound and Lyme Land Conservation Trust
6:00-7:00 pm: Opening Reception with Refreshments: Sea, Seals, Sunsets, and More: an exhibit of paintings of Plum Island by John Sargent.Â
7:00 pm: Presentation: Chris Cryder, Special Projects Coordinator for Save the Sound, will present a âvirtual tourâ of Plum Island and discuss Preserving Plum Island for Future Generations using new imagery taken by photographer Robert Lorenz.
John Sargent’s paintings will be displayed from October 2 to October 27 at the Lyme Public Library. John Sargent and his family are lovers of the natural world who were instrumental in the acquisition of the Lyme Land Trust’s Walbridge Woods Preserve.
Plum Island lies just 7 miles off Connecticutâs coast in eastern Long Island Sound. It is home to the nationâs foreign animal disease center, as well as several endangered species and unique habitats, and is soon to be sold to the highest bidder. But, many organizations would rather see the amazing island conserved. Come learn about current efforts to protect it.
Save the Sound is a bi-state program of CT Fund for the Environment, based in New Haven, CT. Chris Cryder has been working for Save the Sound for the past 8 years, and is currently the outreach coordinator for the Preserve Plum Island Coalition.
 Photo credit: Robert Lorenz
6:00-7:00 pm: Opening Reception with Refreshments: Sea, Seals, Sunsets, and More: an exhibit of paintings of Plum Island by John Sargent.Â
7:00 pm: Presentation: Chris Cryder, Special Projects Coordinator for Save the Sound, will present a âvirtual tourâ of Plum Island and discuss Preserving Plum Island for Future Generations using new imagery taken by photographer Robert Lorenz.
John Sargent’s paintings will be displayed from October 2 to October 27 at the Lyme Public Library. John Sargent and his family are lovers of the natural world who were instrumental in the acquisition of the Lyme Land Trust’s Walbridge Woods Preserve.
Plum Island lies just 7 miles off Connecticutâs coast in eastern Long Island Sound. It is home to the nationâs foreign animal disease center, as well as several endangered species and unique habitats, and is soon to be sold to the highest bidder. But, many organizations would rather see the amazing island conserved. Come learn about current efforts to protect it.
Save the Sound is a bi-state program of CT Fund for the Environment, based in New Haven, CT. Chris Cryder has been working for Save the Sound for the past 8 years, and is currently the outreach coordinator for the Preserve Plum Island Coalition.
 Photo credit: Robert Lorenz
POSTPONED – Trailblazers – Walk at Selden Creek Preserve
Date: Tue October 13, 2015Time: 9:30 am
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
This walk has been postponed to Tuesday, October 20 at 9:30 due to rain.
Join us for this moderately easy (a few hills) walk in the woods. We will walk to an impressive overlook of Selden Creek and marshes with the CT River in the background. Everyone is welcome.
This weekâs hike will explore the Selden Creek Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2 miles long with an option to walk longer. We will 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.
photo by Wendolyn Hill
Bears!!
Date: Sun October 11, 2015Time: 2:00 pm
Place: The Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, Lyme
Contact Email: info@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Felicia Ortner of "The Bear Reality"
Felicia Ortner, a Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist and a bear enthusiast, will discuss âThe Bear Realityâ. Her talk will provide education about bears and help dispel misunderstandings.  Ortner, who has been studying bears for over 25 years, will present strategies for coexistence with Bears. Black bears are rarely aggressive, but it is important to âBe Bear Awareâ and know how to prevent problems and unpleasant encounters.
There have been a few bear âsightingsâ in Lyme lately, one confirmed sighting 2 years ago. Although there is no evidence at this time of resident bears in Lyme, the number of bears in CT has been steadily increasing.
Photo: “What bear?” First Selectman Ralph Eno taken by Humphrey Tyler with a bear introduced by Wendolyn Hill through Photoshop. (click on the image to enlarge).
Felicia Ortner, a Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist and a bear enthusiast, will discuss âThe Bear Realityâ. Her talk will provide education about bears and help dispel misunderstandings.  Ortner, who has been studying bears for over 25 years, will present strategies for coexistence with Bears. Black bears are rarely aggressive, but it is important to âBe Bear Awareâ and know how to prevent problems and unpleasant encounters.
There have been a few bear âsightingsâ in Lyme lately, one confirmed sighting 2 years ago. Although there is no evidence at this time of resident bears in Lyme, the number of bears in CT has been steadily increasing.
Photo: “What bear?” First Selectman Ralph Eno taken by Humphrey Tyler with a bear introduced by Wendolyn Hill through Photoshop. (click on the image to enlarge).
Trailblazers walk- Nehantic State Forest Connection to Hartman Park
Date: Tue October 6, 2015Time: 9:30 am
Place: Nehantic State Forest, Holmes Road Parking Lot, East Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. Everyone is welcome. Wear bright clothing because of hunting season. Don’t forget your walking stick. We will walk about 3 miles.
This weekâs hike will explore a portion of the newly created Goodwin Trail in Nehantic State Forest in East Lyme and Salem, led by Henry Graulty who worked on the trails, and Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. We will walk to the border of Hartman Park and back.
The Richard H. Goodwin Trail, overseen by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, is a an extended trail system crossing four towns: East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and East Lyme. In the future, the goal is to connect to other existing trail systems in surrounding towns. Dr. Richard H. Goodwin (1911-2007) was president of the Nature Conservancy from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1964 to 1966. The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was started in 1951, and Dr. Goodwin was one of its founders. Since then, it has protected 15 million acres of land in the United States and 102 million acres in 29 other countries.
Rain cancels.
Directions from Rte 156 in Lyme: Take Rte 156 to Beaver Brook Road. Travel about 3.7 miles on Beaver Brook Road. Turn left onto Grassy Hill Road. Travel 1.7 miles and turn left onto Upper Walnut Hill Road. Go 1.1 miles and turn left onto Holmes Road. Proceed to the parking lot of Nehantic State Forest.
Photo: Trailblazers group at Balanced Rock in Smuggler’s Rock Preserve, Salem CT by Wendolyn Hill
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. Everyone is welcome. Wear bright clothing because of hunting season. Don’t forget your walking stick. We will walk about 3 miles.
This weekâs hike will explore a portion of the newly created Goodwin Trail in Nehantic State Forest in East Lyme and Salem, led by Henry Graulty who worked on the trails, and Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. We will walk to the border of Hartman Park and back.
The Richard H. Goodwin Trail, overseen by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, is a an extended trail system crossing four towns: East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and East Lyme. In the future, the goal is to connect to other existing trail systems in surrounding towns. Dr. Richard H. Goodwin (1911-2007) was president of the Nature Conservancy from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1964 to 1966. The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was started in 1951, and Dr. Goodwin was one of its founders. Since then, it has protected 15 million acres of land in the United States and 102 million acres in 29 other countries.
Rain cancels.
Directions from Rte 156 in Lyme: Take Rte 156 to Beaver Brook Road. Travel about 3.7 miles on Beaver Brook Road. Turn left onto Grassy Hill Road. Travel 1.7 miles and turn left onto Upper Walnut Hill Road. Go 1.1 miles and turn left onto Holmes Road. Proceed to the parking lot of Nehantic State Forest.
Photo: Trailblazers group at Balanced Rock in Smuggler’s Rock Preserve, Salem CT by Wendolyn Hill
Red Sunday Hike – Jewett Preserve
Date: Sun October 4, 2015Time: 1:30 - 3:30ish pm
Place: Meet at Cemetery parking lot of Jewett Preserve. Watch out for the rocks in the driveway.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
For those who want to hike at a steady pace, Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk of portion of the less-traveled Red Trail in Jewett Preserve. This is a beautiful moderate trail that winds along craggy ridges strewn with boulders. We will return via connecting trails. The entire walk is about 3 miles. We will take a short break halfway through. Bring a snack and something to drink.
Meet at the cemetery entrance to Jewett Preserve. Stay to the left to avoid rocks in the driveway.
Directions: Rt. 156 north to left on Mt. Archer Road. Travel about 1.25 miles. The Jewett Cemetery Entrance is on the right.
Info: openspace@townlyme.org
For those who want to hike at a steady pace, Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk of portion of the less-traveled Red Trail in Jewett Preserve. This is a beautiful moderate trail that winds along craggy ridges strewn with boulders. We will return via connecting trails. The entire walk is about 3 miles. We will take a short break halfway through. Bring a snack and something to drink.
Meet at the cemetery entrance to Jewett Preserve. Stay to the left to avoid rocks in the driveway.
Directions: Rt. 156 north to left on Mt. Archer Road. Travel about 1.25 miles. The Jewett Cemetery Entrance is on the right.
Info: openspace@townlyme.org
Streams and Underwater Bugs-CANCELLED
Date: Sat October 3, 2015Time: 9am-12pm
Place: Covered Bridge, Devil's Hopyard, East Haddam
Contact Email: pyoung@eightmileriver.org
Presenter: Eightmile River Watershed Committee
This event has been cancelled due to weather.
Do you love Streams? Bugs? Fishing? Clean Water?
If you said yes to any of these, then join the Eightmile River Watershed committee for a stream bug ï¬eld project. Participate in netting, sorting and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates to collect habitat data on the health of our streams.
This program is intended for adults and children, ages ten and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
To Register: Please call or email to register. Pat Young at pyoung@eightmileriver.org or (860) 345-8700. We will need an email address for any weather issues.
For more info: 8MileRiverStudy
This event has been cancelled due to weather.
Do you love Streams? Bugs? Fishing? Clean Water?
If you said yes to any of these, then join the Eightmile River Watershed committee for a stream bug ï¬eld project. Participate in netting, sorting and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates to collect habitat data on the health of our streams.
This program is intended for adults and children, ages ten and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
To Register: Please call or email to register. Pat Young at pyoung@eightmileriver.org or (860) 345-8700. We will need an email address for any weather issues.
For more info: 8MileRiverStudy
