Upcoming Events
Tuesday Trek: Nehantic State Forest – Kristina
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the Keeny Rd parking lot in northeast section. See map -NehanticNewWeb
Contact Email: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina
Walk the Neyantaquit Blue Trail and hike to the top of Nickerson Hill and a beautiful vista. 3.5 miles or so. Meet at the Keeny Rd parking lot in northeast section. See map –NehanticNewWeb
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
For the Love of Nature Forest Bathing — A Remotely Guided Experience
Time: 10:30 -11:30 am
Place: Virtual Gathering over ZOOM
Contact Email: regan@reganstacey.com
You’ll join our session over Zoom from your cell phone or computer. You can choose a nearby location such as your yard or a trail or park. Or you can stay cozy in the comfort of your home, near a window and perhaps with some houseplants close by. You are welcome to either stay indoors for the entire session or wander outdoors for the invitations to connect with nature and come back inside when we regather over Zoom to share what we noticed, what caught our eye or our hearts.
Tea together:
Our session concludes with tea together where we honor our time with each other and the land. You are welcome to bring tea (or your drink of choice) in a thermos or to make a cup towards the end of our session.
Forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku – taking in the forest atmosphere. As a growing global wellness movement, it is backed by nearly 40 years of scientific research on the holistic benefits of immersing yourself in nature. These benefits include reduced stress and blood pressure, increased creativity and focus, improved mood and sleep, and a boost to immune functions. In addition to the health benefits, this practice offers a pathway of reconnection to our Earth, restoring our relationship with the natural world for the well-being of all.
Registration: $15. Register here.
LLT members receive 10% discount with code LLT10.
Regan Stacey is an artist and advocate for the Earth whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature for personal and planetary well-being. Through her private practice, she offers forest bathing sessions and mindfulness in nature retreats.
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 or theforesttherapyschool.com
Questions? Email Regan at regan@reganstacey.com
Jeepers Creepers! Meet Some “Creepy-Looking” Creatures!
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd. (Rte 56), Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join us for a family-friendly February vacation event with Riverside Reptiles Education Center! Get up close and personal to learn all about some fascinating creatures that creep. You will encounter a variety of live “creepy-looking” animals; reptiles, amphibians, spiders, insects, and more! Hopefully, by the end, they won’t be so “creepy” anymore!
This program is geared towards elementary school-aged children and younger. All ages are welcome. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Space is limited. Register: programreg@lymepl.org
or call 860 434-2272
Co-sponsored with the Lyme Public Library.
Funded by the Lyme land Trust
Tuesday Trek: Banningwood Preserve – Jim
Time: 9:00
Place: Meet at the parking lot on Town Street/Route 82.
Contact Email: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim
Mostly gentle 1.5-mile traverses a variety of interesting habitats including the floodplain of Roaring Brook where the Land Trust has been working to restore native vegetation with a variety of partners.
Register: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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
Family Trail Time with Tori
Time: 10:00 am
Place: Beebe Preserve, Old Grassy Hill Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: vharris1391@gmail.com
Presenter: Tori Harris
On this one-mile plus walk, visit a viewing platform for a beaver pond and see a large mysterious stone pile. Join Tori and family on the 4th Sunday of every month for a “mile-ish” hike geared towards families with children under 5, but no age limit!
Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register.
Tori is a Mom of two littles – Kade, 3 yrs, and Quinn, 1 yr. Hiking and wandering in the local preserves, has really given her family the safe space to let Kade run loose and has a calming effect on Quinn. Working full time, volunteering in many organizations and finding time to enjoy the outdoors with the whole family, can be tough, but it is worth it!
For more information about the preserves and directions.
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: Beebe Preserve – Quinn
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the Beebe Preserve parking area on Old Grassy Hill Rd.
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Presenter: Ryan Quinn
This will be an easy 1 mile hike along the orange trail with a stop by the Beaver Brook pond overlook.
Contact: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Tuesday Trek: Hartman Park – Wendy
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the main Hartman Park entrance.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
Let’s explore the southern part of the preserve and see what the beavers are up to.
Contact: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Meadow Making – How and Why to Make Your Backyard Landscape More Pollinator Friendly
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Jane Seymour, CT DEEP wildlife biologist, will explain the value of transitioning a part of your lawn into meadow along with steps you can follow to do so. Learn about the wildlife that benefit from the meadows in our preserves as well as ways to extend that benefit by creating this habitat in your own backyard.
Jane Seymour is the steward of the Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon, CT and manages several productive meadows.
Co-sponsored with the Lyme Pollinator Pathway.
Please register: programreg@lymepl.org
Tuesday Trek: Johnston and Jewett Preserve – Kristina
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the Johnston parking lot on Rte 82.
Contact Email: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina
Hike a big loop to the overlook in Johnston, onto the red trail in Jewett , and come back into Johnston. 4 plus miles or so.
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
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
Family Trail Time with Tori
Time: 10:00 am
Place: Mt Archer Woods, Mt Archer Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: vharris1391@gmail.com
Presenter: Tori Harris
Explore an old colonial ruins on this walk. Meet at the Mt Archer Woods Parking lot at the top of the hill and on the south side of Mt Archer Rd. Join Tori and family on the 4th Sunday of every month for a “mile-ish” hike geared towards families with children under 5, but no age limit!
Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register.
Tori is a Mom of two littles – Kade, 3 yrs, and Quinn, 1 yr. Hiking and wandering in the local preserves, has really given her family the safe space to let Kade run loose and has a calming effect on Quinn. Working full time, volunteering in many organizations and finding time to enjoy the outdoors with the whole family, can be tough, but it is worth it!
For more information about the preserves and directions.
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: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve – Jim
Time: 9:00
Place: Meet at the parking lot on Brush Hill Road.
Contact Email: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim
A gentle 2-mile walk will pause to explore the edges of vernal pools for eggs of Spotted Salamanders, Wood Frogs, and other early spring critters.
Register: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Imagining Lyme–Photo Submission Deadline – Winter
Time: midnight
Place: Submit photos to Imagining Lyme website
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Submit up to three of your favorite winter photos to share. 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, The Nature Conservancy, or the State of CT by taking photographs prompted by inspiration from professional photographers and artists. Amateur photographers may submit photos. Photographers do not have to be residents of Lyme but all photos must be taken in Lyme in any of these places:
- Lyme Preserves owned and/or managed by the Lyme Land Trust, Town of Lyme, The Nature Conservancy, and the State of CT. View a map of the preserves
- Pollinator/wildlife habitat with native plants in Lyme – May be in a backyard, local farm, preserve or in a Lyme Pollinator Pathway garden in Lyme, CT.
- Trail 53 – The clear sky above Lyme.
For more information and to submit photos
Tuesday Trek: Johnston Preserve – Tony
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the Johnston parking lot on Rte 82.
Contact Email: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
Presenter: Tony Irving
One of my favorite preserves with its diversity of topography. Great views at the overlook. Depending on the desires of the group we can do a 3.5-mile hike or something shorter.
Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
April Vernal Pools Foray
Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join Jim Arrigoni in an exploration of two very different vernal pools at Selden Creek Preserve: one small, shallow & shady, the other large, sunny & deep. These temporary wetland habitats are critical for sustaining populations of fascinating critters like Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders, but varying conditions from pool-to-pool and year-to-year can result in very different outcomes for the species that depend on them. Come get an up-close view of who’s making their living in our local vernal pools and how they’re doing it.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Tuesday Trek: Thach Preserve – Quinn
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the Thach Preserve parking area, 131 Brush Hill Road.
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Presenter: Ryan Quinn
Winter is ending and things are turning green again! Lets enjoy a hike through the Thach preserve. This is a 1 mile loop with a variety of interesting habitats to explore.
Contact: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
iNaturalist 101 – Connect with Nature
Time: 7:00- 8:30 pm
Place: Lyme Land Trust Barn, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme, CT
Contact Email: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Want to know what you are seeing in nature? Want to contribute to citizen science by joining the Wild Lyme Biodiversity Project? With a photograph and a few taps on your smartphone, you, too, can follow in the footsteps of great biologists like Charles Darwin by identifying different species and sharing your observations with the scientific and conservation communities. Join Jim Arrigoni, Lyme Land Trust (LLT) environmental director ad team member of the Lyme Pollinator Pathway, for this informative program.
Learn how to use iNaturalist on your smartphone or computer and learn more about the world of plants, insects, mushrooms, birds, and trees that are all around us. This 1-hour workshop will show you how to use the app on your smartphone and desktop computer, what the best practices are for entering photos, and add hands-on practice.
Join the Wild Lyme Biodiversity project on iNaturalist and contribute to the study of the variety of life on all of the Lyme preserves owned by LLT, the Town of Lyme and The Nature Conservancy. We’ll show you how to join the project on the app, what you can contribute, and what you can learn about Lyme and the surrounding areas.
iNaturalist app is a free app that can be downloaded on both iPhone and android. We ask that you download the app on your smartphone and set up an account before coming to the workshop, or come at 6:30 pm for help to download the app.
Reservations required. Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Follow iNaturalist on Instagram and see a fantastic nature photo from around the world.
For the web version of iNaturalist.
Co-sponsored with Lyme Pollinator Pathway
Tuesday Trek: Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Rd., East Haddam – Wendy
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Directions: At the end of Rte. 156, take a right onto Rte. 82, travel 2.7 miles, take left onto Woodbridge Road, travel 1 mile (stay to the right), take left onto Dolbia Hill Rd. Park by Preserve sign along the side of the road.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
About 3 miles, blue trail loop in pristine upland forest with a section along vibrant Burnham Brook plus the new red trail which has beautiful scenic vistas.
Contact: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
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.
Saprobe Superpowers–How Fungi Recycle Nutrients and Keep Forests Healthy – A Presentation by Bill Yule
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join us for a fascinating talk about the important function of fungi in forest ecosystems, with Bill Yule, naturalist and mycologist. He will cover aspects of fungi that weren’t covered in last year’s very popular talk.He has a wonderful way of explaining the complex functioning of fungi and its vital interconnections with other organisms within the forest. Bill will share information to identify various mushrooms by their characteristics.
Register: education@lymelandtrust.org
Directions: Please note: If using GPS, be sure you are sent to the Lyme PUBLIC Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, not the Lyme TOWN Hall, 480 Hamburg Rd. If using I-95, take exit 71 N (take a right) or S (go straight). From the light at the intersection of Hall’s Rd (Rte 1). and Rte 156 in Old Lyme, travel north on 156 for 4.6 miles into Hamburg Center.. The Public Hall is on your right about 1/4 mile south of the Hamburg Fair grounds.
“For those who hunger after the earthly excrescences called mushrooms.”
Bill Yule has been active in mycological education for 30 plus years and has given many education programs throughout the country. He is a retired High School Biology teacher and Environmental Educator. In addition, he taught Ecology and Environmental Education at The Connecticut River Museum for 20 years and worked on three environmental educational boats on the CT River. He is a member and educator for three local “Mushroom clubs”, Connecticut Valley Mycological Society, COMA (CT/Westchester Mycological Association) and PVMA (Pioneer Valley Mycological Association) as well as a past Board of Directors member of the North American Mycological Association.
Visit Bill Yule’s Facebook Page
Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 8:30pm - 10:30pm
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
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.
Tour de Lyme 2025
Time: starting at 7 am
Place: Ashlawn Farms, Bill Hill Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Lyme Land Conservation Trust
Please join us for the annual Tour de Lyme cycling event with beautifully scenic routes for all ages and levels. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
Registration begins January 8!
For more information, visit the Tour de Lyme webpage:
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.
Dusk Hike with Quinn – CT Trails Day
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Place: Hartman Park, Gungy Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Presenter: Quinn
Join Quinn, Lyme Land Trust board member, for a family friendly (ages 5 and up) hike at the magical time of dusk, just before the darkness creeps in. We focus on how our perceptions change and appreciate what the coming night brings to the forests and ponds of Lyme. There will be an almost full moon. As it gets darker, we will not be using artificial light, but you are invited to bring an emergency flashlight. Dress warmly and bring a walking stick.
Registration appreciated: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Our Annual Meeting 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Lyme Land Trust Barn, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme CT
Contact Email: info@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Patrick J. Lynch
Please join us for our annual meeting which will include nomination and voting for two new board members, annual financial report, and presentation of volunteer of the year. Everyone is welcome.
Stay tuned for more details.
Registration required: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Directions: The LLT Barn is at 12-1 Town Street. Park across the street in Banningwood Preserve first field. Handicapped parking on site.
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.
