In our 102-acre Banningwood Preserve, NaturePlace is a series of programs, events, and workshops, hosted in Diana’s Field and its surrounding trails – leading all the way up to the impressive Parker’s Perch, and all the way down to the pristine Roaring Brook.

On CT Trails Day, June 1, 2019 we introduced the NaturePlace Self-guided Trail for all Ages. The map and brochure that accompanies the new interpretive trail highlights interesting facts about ecology, history and geology at marked stations in the preserve. The interpretive trail is designed to engage curious hikers of all ages and interests. 
New Map and Brochure!!  Banningwood Preserve: NaturePlace Self-guided Trail Walk for all Ages.

For a Comprehensive Natural Resources Inventory of Banningwood Preserve by Anthony Irving, Forest ecologist and Ralph Lewis, geologist.

LLT’s 1st Annual Earth Day 2018

A true success in community spirit and in celebration of our Mother Earth, Earth Day 2018 in Diana’s Field hosted nearly 100 members of our small community who came out to enjoy the day. Community members and families enjoyed activities like Eight Mile River Bug Discovery, Family Forest Discovery walk with Jim Arrigoni, Live Raptor Presentation with A Place Called Hope, Arts & Crafts with Lyme Parks and Recreation, S’Mores by the fire, Scavenger Hunt, and Goodie Bags from Reynolds Subaru and Ballek’s Garden Center! We can’t wait to celebrate again this year on Sunday, April 28th 2019 at Diana’s Field!

Earth Day attendees came to Diana’s Field to learn about rehabilitated raptors with a Live Raptor Presentation by A Place Called Hope raptor rescue based out of Killingworth, CT

A Great Horned Owl peers out at the crowd in Diana’s Field during a Live Raptor Presentation by A Place Called Hope raptor rescue group from Killingworth, CT

Children and adults listen and watch as local biologist Jim Arrigoni talks about a frog the group found in a nearby vernal pool during a family-friendly discovery walk on the yellow trail of Banningwood Preserve

Local mom Crystal Tooker and her newborn baby girl enjoy roasted marshmallows by the fire in Diana’s Field of NaturePlace during LLCT’s 1st Annual Earth Day celebration in April 2018

LLCT Volunteer Bob Cope and LLCT Executive Director Kristina White hand out goodie bags to local children at LLCT’s 1st Annual Earth Day celebration in April 2018

About NaturePlace
Goal
The goal of NaturePlace is to reintroduce unstructured nature exploration to the outdoor experience, while also incorporating relevant educational elements along the trails. While the location will aim to be a community-inspired learning center, NaturePlace’s main focus will be to foster and enhance local and regional children’s curiosity with nature.

History
Diana and Parker Lord sold Banningwood Preserve to the Land Trust in 2013. The Lords fell in love with the property back in 1998 and moved from their waterfront home in Lyme to the 115-acre pristine woodland parcel. They committed much of their ensuing years to maintaining the old woods roads, clearing hazards and invasives, creating fields for wildlife and personal enjoyment, and protecting the precious Roaring Brook.

Vision
When out on their property, the Lords felt an attachment to their carefree childhoods – long lost times when they would spend uncharted days exploring, running wild in the woods, splashing in creeks, stumbling on rocks, and coming home covered in dirt and smiles enriched by their time spent outside. NaturePlace aims to inspire these same feelings among it’s visitors by engaging in the sights, smells, and sounds (even the quiet) of its woodlands, meadows, and flowing water.