Past Events

New Year’s 2023 Hike at Gillette’s Castle

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by Wendy Hill
Date: Sun January 15, 2023
Time: 10:00-12:00ish
Place: Gillette's Castle, Lyme. Meet at the Hadlyme Public Boat Ramp parking lot by the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Ferry Road (Rte 148)
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Start the New Year off with a refreshing hike in the Lyme woods with a Lyme Land Trust Board Member. This walk was postponed from  January 1, 2023. 

  • Gillette Castle State Park with Wendolyn Hill. We will take the gentle climb along the walkway to the castle. At the top, we will follow the original small gauge train trail with a train tunnel and beautiful views of the Connecticut River, unobstructed by leaves. About 2.5 miles. Directions: Meet at the Hadlyme Public Boat Ramp parking lot by the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Ferry Road (Rte 148). (Note: For google maps, search for  “Chester-Hadlyme Ferry”. Make sure GPS sends you to Ferry Road in Lyme (Rte 148), not Old Lyme.
  • Register: education@lymelandtrust.org

For more information about the preserves and directions.  The walk is moderate. Everyone is welcome. End times are approximate. Allow extra time. Bring a bottle of water. Inclement weather cancels. Check for updates on the LLT website.


Start the New Year off with a refreshing hike in the Lyme woods with a Lyme Land Trust Board Member. This walk was postponed from  January 1, 2023. 

  • Gillette Castle State Park with Wendolyn Hill. We will take the gentle climb along the walkway to the castle. At the top, we will follow the original small gauge train trail with a train tunnel and beautiful views of the Connecticut River, unobstructed by leaves. About 2.5 miles. Directions: Meet at the Hadlyme Public Boat Ramp parking lot by the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Ferry Road (Rte 148). (Note: For google maps, search for  “Chester-Hadlyme Ferry”. Make sure GPS sends you to Ferry Road in Lyme (Rte 148), not Old Lyme.
  • Register: education@lymelandtrust.org

For more information about the preserves and directions.  The walk is moderate. Everyone is welcome. End times are approximate. Allow extra time. Bring a bottle of water. Inclement weather cancels. Check for updates on the LLT website.


Tree Collective- Teen Steward Group Meet-up

event image
Date: Sun January 15, 2023
Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
Place: Register to learn location
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

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.

For more information. 

Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Click on flyer to enlarge.

 


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.

For more information. 

Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Click on flyer to enlarge.

 


Tuesday Trek: Pickwick & Eno Preserves

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Date: Tue January 10, 2023
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Entrance is on 183 Joshuatown Rd driveway.
Contact Email: Kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina White
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Entrance is on 183 Joshuatown Rd driveway. Drive down driveway and preserve is on right – park on side. We will walk the blue to red to white to yellow loop. Highlights are wetlands and impressive stone walls. Moderately easy 2.5 miles.

View the Tuesday Trek Schedule


Entrance is on 183 Joshuatown Rd driveway. Drive down driveway and preserve is on right – park on side. We will walk the blue to red to white to yellow loop. Highlights are wetlands and impressive stone walls. Moderately easy 2.5 miles.

View the Tuesday Trek Schedule


Imagining Lyme–Photo Submission Deadline – Fall

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Kip Bergstrom, Winter 2022 Photo of Distinction
Date: Mon January 9, 2023
Time: midnight
Place: Submit photos to Imagining Lyme website
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

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 and the Nature Conservancy by taking photographs prompted by inspiration from professional photographers and artists. Photographers do not have to be residents of Lyme but all photos must be taken in Lyme in any of these places:

  1. Lyme Preserves owned and/or managed by the Lyme Land Trust, Town of Lyme, and The Nature Conservancy View a map of the preserves
  2. Pollinator/wildlife habitat– May be in a backyard, preserve or in a Lyme Pollinator Pathway garden in Lyme, CT.

The deadline for the Fall category-photos taken in the Fall–is December 31, 2022. For more information. 


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 and the Nature Conservancy by taking photographs prompted by inspiration from professional photographers and artists. Photographers do not have to be residents of Lyme but all photos must be taken in Lyme in any of these places:

  1. Lyme Preserves owned and/or managed by the Lyme Land Trust, Town of Lyme, and The Nature Conservancy View a map of the preserves
  2. Pollinator/wildlife habitat– May be in a backyard, preserve or in a Lyme Pollinator Pathway garden in Lyme, CT.

The deadline for the Fall category-photos taken in the Fall–is December 31, 2022. For more information. 


New Year’s Day 2023 Hike with a Lyme Land Trust Board Member

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by Wendy Hill
Date: Sun January 1, 2023
Time: Various times
Place: 6 different locations
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Start the New Year off with a refreshing hike in the Lyme woods. The Lyme Land Trust is offering several small group walks. All the walks are moderate unless noted. Register with the walk leader for the time and location you prefer. Space is limited. You may sign up for more than one walk if space and time permits.

  • 10:00 am to 12:30ish pm: Pleasant Valley Preserve with Tony Irving.  Notice glacial geology and its effect on colonial agricultural practices on a 3.5-mile walk with a long gentle incline to a spectacular overlook. Meet at pull-in parking lot, MacIntosh Rd., Lyme.
    Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
  • 10:30 am to 12:00ish pm: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve with John Pritchard. White trail to orange to purple, yellow and back through various habitats and past an old abandoned quarry. About 2 miles. Meet at Brockway-Hawthorne parking lot, Brush Hill Rd., Lyme.
    Register: johnfpritchard43@gmail.com
  • 11:00 am to 12:30ish pm: Selden Creek Preserve with Lynn Richmond: Hike to beautiful overlook vistas of Selden Creek and surrounding marshlands. White to orange to blue and back. 2 plus miles. Meet at Selden Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Rd., Lyme.
    Register: lrichmon121@icloud.com
  • 11:30 am to 12:30ish pm: Thach Preserve with Jon Butler. An easy 1-mile round trip walk on woods road to bench overlooking beaver pond. Optional extension to picnic table at pond’s edge. Meet at the parking area on 131 Bruch Hill Rd., Lyme. 
    Register: jbutlerct@gmail.com
  • 12:00 to 2:30ish pm: Johnston Preserve with Scott and Denise Gravatt and their dog, Toby. Friendly dogs (and people) are welcome to join us.  We will meet at the Johnston Preserve parking area on Rt. 82.  Distance will be about 3 miles or so, depending on consensus of the group.  We will definitely do a short side-hike to the plaque at the highest point in Lyme.  Great place for a photo-op! Register: s.gravatt@comcast.net.  Scott’s cell: 860-961-4913.
  • Postponed to January 15 10:00-12:00ish: Gillette Castle State Park with Wendolyn Hill. We will take the gentle climb along the walkway to the castle. At the top, we will follow the original small gauge train trail with a train tunnel and beautiful views of the Connecticut River, unobstructed by leaves. About 2.5 miles. Directions: Meet at the Hadlyme Public Boat Ramp parking lot by the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Ferry Road (Rte 148). (Note: For google maps, search for  “Chester-Hadlyme Ferry”. Make sure GPS sends you to Ferry Road in Lyme (Rte 148), not Old Lyme.
    Register: education@lymelandtrust.org

For more information about the preserves and directions.  Walks are moderate to moderately easy unless noted. Everyone is welcome. End times are approximate. Allow extra time. Bring a bottle of water. Inclement weather cancels. Check for updates on the LLT website.


Start the New Year off with a refreshing hike in the Lyme woods. The Lyme Land Trust is offering several small group walks. All the walks are moderate unless noted. Register with the walk leader for the time and location you prefer. Space is limited. You may sign up for more than one walk if space and time permits.

  • 10:00 am to 12:30ish pm: Pleasant Valley Preserve with Tony Irving.  Notice glacial geology and its effect on colonial agricultural practices on a 3.5-mile walk with a long gentle incline to a spectacular overlook. Meet at pull-in parking lot, MacIntosh Rd., Lyme.
    Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
  • 10:30 am to 12:00ish pm: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve with John Pritchard. White trail to orange to purple, yellow and back through various habitats and past an old abandoned quarry. About 2 miles. Meet at Brockway-Hawthorne parking lot, Brush Hill Rd., Lyme.
    Register: johnfpritchard43@gmail.com
  • 11:00 am to 12:30ish pm: Selden Creek Preserve with Lynn Richmond: Hike to beautiful overlook vistas of Selden Creek and surrounding marshlands. White to orange to blue and back. 2 plus miles. Meet at Selden Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Rd., Lyme.
    Register: lrichmon121@icloud.com
  • 11:30 am to 12:30ish pm: Thach Preserve with Jon Butler. An easy 1-mile round trip walk on woods road to bench overlooking beaver pond. Optional extension to picnic table at pond’s edge. Meet at the parking area on 131 Bruch Hill Rd., Lyme. 
    Register: jbutlerct@gmail.com
  • 12:00 to 2:30ish pm: Johnston Preserve with Scott and Denise Gravatt and their dog, Toby. Friendly dogs (and people) are welcome to join us.  We will meet at the Johnston Preserve parking area on Rt. 82.  Distance will be about 3 miles or so, depending on consensus of the group.  We will definitely do a short side-hike to the plaque at the highest point in Lyme.  Great place for a photo-op! Register: s.gravatt@comcast.net.  Scott’s cell: 860-961-4913.
  • Postponed to January 15 10:00-12:00ish: Gillette Castle State Park with Wendolyn Hill. We will take the gentle climb along the walkway to the castle. At the top, we will follow the original small gauge train trail with a train tunnel and beautiful views of the Connecticut River, unobstructed by leaves. About 2.5 miles. Directions: Meet at the Hadlyme Public Boat Ramp parking lot by the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Ferry Road (Rte 148). (Note: For google maps, search for  “Chester-Hadlyme Ferry”. Make sure GPS sends you to Ferry Road in Lyme (Rte 148), not Old Lyme.
    Register: education@lymelandtrust.org

For more information about the preserves and directions.  Walks are moderate to moderately easy unless noted. Everyone is welcome. End times are approximate. Allow extra time. Bring a bottle of water. Inclement weather cancels. Check for updates on the LLT website.


WINTER SOLSTICE LUMINARY WALK

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Wendolyn Hill
Date: Wed December 21, 2022
Time: 4:00-5:30 pm
Place: Banningwood Preserve. 19 Town St., Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@reganstacey.com
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Renew your connection with yourself and the Earth as we tap into nature’s rhythms and the four elements of earth, fire, water, and air on a guided meditative walk. A small closing ceremony will take place at the water’s edge as we then prepare for our return walk along the illuminated path. A restorative time of year, the winter solstice marks a solar turning point, where the darkest day turns the corner to renewed light and we welcome the season of winter—a rebirth of the sun. The walk is less than one mile over easy to moderate terrain.

Register here.   (Please consider a donation to the walk leader when you register.)

Regan Stacey is an artist and environmentalist whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature for the betterment of themselves, their communities, and our beautiful planet, Earth. Through her private practice, she offers forest bathing walks, spiritual life coaching, and mindfulness training. She is also co-founder of The Forest Therapy School, training forest therapy guides to share this work around the world. Find out more about her work at reganstacey.com


Renew your connection with yourself and the Earth as we tap into nature’s rhythms and the four elements of earth, fire, water, and air on a guided meditative walk. A small closing ceremony will take place at the water’s edge as we then prepare for our return walk along the illuminated path. A restorative time of year, the winter solstice marks a solar turning point, where the darkest day turns the corner to renewed light and we welcome the season of winter—a rebirth of the sun. The walk is less than one mile over easy to moderate terrain.

Register here.   (Please consider a donation to the walk leader when you register.)

Regan Stacey is an artist and environmentalist whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature for the betterment of themselves, their communities, and our beautiful planet, Earth. Through her private practice, she offers forest bathing walks, spiritual life coaching, and mindfulness training. She is also co-founder of The Forest Therapy School, training forest therapy guides to share this work around the world. Find out more about her work at reganstacey.com


Tuesday Trek: McColluch Family Open Space

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Wendy Hill
Date: Tue December 20, 2022
Time: 9:30 am -11:30 am
Place: Meet at the parking lot on Whippoorwill Road, about 1 mile from intersection with Rte 1.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

McColluch Family Open Space, Whippoorwill Rd, Old Lyme–  This Town of Old Lyme property was opened in 2020. It was once a horse farm. About 2.5 miles. For a trail map.

Register: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Join us for a refreshing morning walk on a Lyme preserve led by a board or staff member of the Lyme Land Trust. The leaders will alternate each week between Sue Cope, Wendy Hill, Tony Irving, and Kristina White with Brady, canine guide. The walks are about two hours and are moderately easy unless noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Reservations are required. Contact walk leader to reserve. 

 


McColluch Family Open Space, Whippoorwill Rd, Old Lyme–  This Town of Old Lyme property was opened in 2020. It was once a horse farm. About 2.5 miles. For a trail map.

Register: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Join us for a refreshing morning walk on a Lyme preserve led by a board or staff member of the Lyme Land Trust. The leaders will alternate each week between Sue Cope, Wendy Hill, Tony Irving, and Kristina White with Brady, canine guide. The walks are about two hours and are moderately easy unless noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Reservations are required. Contact walk leader to reserve. 

 


Tree Collective- Teen Steward Group Meet-up

event image
Date: Sun December 18, 2022
Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
Place: Register to learn location
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

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.

For more information. 

Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Click on flyer to enlarge.

 


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.

For more information. 

Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Click on flyer to enlarge.

 


December Astronomy Observing Session

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The new telescope by Alan Sheiness
Date: Sat December 17, 2022
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Place: Register to learn location
Contact Email: scott.mallory@gmail.com
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Young or old, experienced or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. Our last session was amazing. We had strong attendance, and it included children and adults, locals and visitors. (A family from California visiting family in Lyme are our official farthest-from-home attendees.) The new observatory is in full motion. 

The Lyme Land Trust offers public viewing sessions once a month near the new moon. Our cohorts have several different telescopes that are on display for your observing pleasure, and we now are pleased to have a modern 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory structure. On any given night, public sessions will be co-facilitated by one or more of our talented cohort enthusiasts:

  • Jon Dean
  • Roger Charbonneau, Jr
  • Scott Mallory
  • Parag Sahasrabudhe
  • Alan Sheiness

Reservations required. astronomy@lymelandtrust.org

Directions to the site and special guidance for those with heavy astronomy equipment will be provided upon registration. Park in the designated area and walk to the observing field with its amazing panoramic views of the heavens. Dress for temperatures 10-20 degrees lower than forecast for your comfort. No white lights at the field site, please. For more information about the astronomy program See amazing astrophotography by Parag Sahasrabudhe – Velology blog


Young or old, experienced or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. Our last session was amazing. We had strong attendance, and it included children and adults, locals and visitors. (A family from California visiting family in Lyme are our official farthest-from-home attendees.) The new observatory is in full motion. 

The Lyme Land Trust offers public viewing sessions once a month near the new moon. Our cohorts have several different telescopes that are on display for your observing pleasure, and we now are pleased to have a modern 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory structure. On any given night, public sessions will be co-facilitated by one or more of our talented cohort enthusiasts:

  • Jon Dean
  • Roger Charbonneau, Jr
  • Scott Mallory
  • Parag Sahasrabudhe
  • Alan Sheiness

Reservations required. astronomy@lymelandtrust.org

Directions to the site and special guidance for those with heavy astronomy equipment will be provided upon registration. Park in the designated area and walk to the observing field with its amazing panoramic views of the heavens. Dress for temperatures 10-20 degrees lower than forecast for your comfort. No white lights at the field site, please. For more information about the astronomy program See amazing astrophotography by Parag Sahasrabudhe – Velology blog


Tuesday Trek: Ravine Trail

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Date: Tue December 13, 2022
Time: 9:00 am -11:00 am
Place: Park at Selden Creek Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Road.
Contact Email: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
Presenter: Tony Irving
!!! seems it only displays well the 2nd time? ugh.

Beautiful ledges and overlooks. Some steep climbs and rocky trails. Park at Selden Creek Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Road.

Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com

 

View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Join us for a refreshing morning walk on a Lyme preserve led by a board or staff member of the Lyme Land Trust. The leaders will alternate each week between Sue Cope, Wendy Hill, Tony Irving, and Kristina White with Brady, canine guide. The walks are about two hours and are moderately easy unless noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Reservations are required. Contact walk leader to reserve. 

 


Beautiful ledges and overlooks. Some steep climbs and rocky trails. Park at Selden Creek Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Road.

Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com

 

View the Tuesday Trek Schedule

Join us for a refreshing morning walk on a Lyme preserve led by a board or staff member of the Lyme Land Trust. The leaders will alternate each week between Sue Cope, Wendy Hill, Tony Irving, and Kristina White with Brady, canine guide. The walks are about two hours and are moderately easy unless noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Reservations are required. Contact walk leader to reserve.