Past Events
Youth Observing Session
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Place: Trail 53 Observatory
Contact Email: astronomy@lymelandtrust.org
This session will cater to the very young since we will be working in twilight rather than full darkness. We will observe before dark and look at the craters and other features on the Moon. We will learn about the Moon’s phases and how its orbit around the Earth results in the phases we see. After that, those who would like to can stay past 9:00 to view darker sky objects.
Registration required. Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines.
For more information and to register: Astronomy Events
POSTPONED – Programs in the Park
Date: Sat July 13, 2024Time: 10:00-11:00 am, July 13, 20, 27
Place: Devil's Hopyard State Park Meet near the Covered Bridge
Contact Email: info@eightmileriver.org
Presenter: Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee
Click on the poster to enlarge for more information.
Join the Eightmile Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee for three free family programs.
July 13: Wildlife Rehabilitation with Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
July 20: Native Insects
July 29: River Exploration
Provided by the Eightmile Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee
Breakfast with the Trees | A Guided Forest Immersion
Time: 9:00-11:15 am
Place: Hartman Park, Gungy Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@reganstacey.com
Note location has changed from Beebe Preserve to Hartman Park. Wake up with the trees on a guided forest immersion. Enjoy a gentle mindful movement sequence, nature meditation, and a slow-paced walk with opportunities to pause and connect with nature along the way. The experience concludes with breakfast and tea served at the pond. You are welcome to bring your own picnic breakfast and/or enjoy the fresh berries and scones provided. The walk is about 1-mile over easy to moderate terrain. Hartman Park, Lyme CT
What is a forest immersion experience, also known as forest therapy, or forest bathing?
This practice 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. This practice also serves as a pathway of reconnection to our Earth, restoring our relationship with the natural world for the well-being of all.
Registration: $30 ~ includes the program, breakfast treats and tea. Register here. Limited to 6 participants. LLT members save 10% with code LLT10.
This is a rain or shine event. Challenging weather cancels. Ages 18+. No pets please.
Regan Stacey is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher and forest therapy guide who is passionate about reconnecting humans to nature for personal and planetary well–being. She is 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 and at theforesttherapyschool.com.
Imagining Lyme–Photo Submission Deadline – Spring
Time: midnight
Place: Submit photos to Imagining Lyme website
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Submit up to three of you favorite 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 and the Nature Conservancy 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
June- Lyme Nix the Knotweed Days-Reed Landing and Union Triangle
Time: 8:30 am-10:30 am
Place: Start at Reed Landing, Old Hamburg Rd, Joshua Pond, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join our work party for the fourth year to remove invasive knotweed and other invasive plants, and tend the natives that have been planted in their place. Learn to control Knotweed on your own property. We will tend Reed Landing gardens, and check on the 50 plants that were installed at Union Triangle on the corner of Rte 156 and Old Hamburg Rd. We are in our fourth year of tackling the knotweed using the “method of 3s”: cut knotweed down to the ground and remove the plant material; 3 chops each growing season (May, mid-July, and mid-August). The cuttings must be carefully disposed of since each little piece will regrow into a new plant. The knotweed has been highly reduced where we have used this method but we still have to cut back the ones that persist and new ones that come up from seeds.
Bring work gloves, clippers or loppers. We’ll provide the bags! Bring your own water bottle. Snacks will be provided.
Please register: (walk-ins welcome) Openspace@townlyme.org
Sponsored by the Town of Lyme, Lyme Pollinator Pathway, and Lyme Land Trust.
Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant which crowds out native plants that pollinators and other wildlife depend upon for survival. For a brochure on Nix the Knotweed Method of 3s.
June – Lyme Nix the Knotweed Day-Whalebone Cove
Time: 8:00 am-10:00 am
Place: Whalebone Creek, Ferry Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: trughouse@comcast.net
Join our work party for the fourth year to remove invasive knotweed and learn to control Knotweed on your own property. We will be expanding our area of removal. Last year we planted more than 100 native plants to replace the knotweed. We will tend to those, also. We are following the “method of 3s”: cut knotweed down to the ground and remove the plant material; 3 chops this growing season. Don’t cut more often or it won’t weaken the extensive root system. The cuttings must be carefully disposed of since each little piece will regrow into a new plant.
We are seeing progress! The knotweed has been highly reduced.
Bring work gloves, clippers or loppers. We’ll provide the bags! Bring your own water bottle. Snacks will be provided.
Please register: (walk-ins welcome) trughouse@comcast.net
Sponsored by the Lyme Pollinator Pathway and Friends of Whalebone Cove.
Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant which crowds out native plants that pollinators and other wildlife depend upon for survival. For a brochure on Nix the Knotweed Method of 3s.
Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 9:30pm - 11:30pm
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
Lymes Senior Center Gentle Walk Wednesday with Wendy
Time: 9:30-10:30ish am
Place: Gillette’s Castle State Park, Lyme CT
Contact Email: cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov
Presenter: Wendy Hill
We will walk up on the paved road or sidewalk to the Castle terrace to see the beautiful view of the CT River and the Hadlyme Ferry. Then we will explore the easy dirt path route that was once a narrow gauge train trail. About 1 mile.
Directions: Enter Gillette Castle State Park at 67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT. Meet at the main parking lot by the Visitor Center.
Reservations are required. Please email Caitlin Perkins at cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov or call (860)434-1605 ext. 241. Free to Lyme’s Senior Center members. $5 for non-members.
On the 3rd Wednesday of each month (unless noted) the group will get together at various hiking areas in Lyme and Old Lyme. Hikes will be lead by Wendy Hill, Open Space Coordinator of Lyme and the Vice President of Lyme Land Trust. The walks are easy, fairly flat dirt paths with some uneven footing, unless noted. Gentle pace. About 1 mile. Bring a walking stick, water bottle and dress for the weather. Inclement weather cancels.
Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior Center.
Tuesday Trek: Rocky Neck Beach State Park
Date: Tue June 25, 2024Time: 9:30 am
Place: Rocky Neck Beach State Park, Rte 156, East Lyme, CT.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy
Rocky Neck Beach State Park, Rte 156, East Lyme, CT. A beautiful walk through mature forest along the salt marshes to the beach on Long Island Sound – a haven for shore birds. Bring binoculars if you wish. 2.5 miles. Meet at the parking lot on Rte 156 across from the KOA Campground, 271 Main St (Rte 156), about 0.5 mile east of the intersection with Four Mile River Rd., Old Lyme.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Family Trail Time with Tori
Time: 9 am or 11 am-indicate choice when registering
Place: Pleasant Valley Preserve, MacIntosh Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: vharris1391@gmail.com
Presenter: Tori Harris
In June, visit the Gnome trail to search for gnomes at Pleasant Valley Preserve. Click here to see the Family Gnome HUnt map. 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(!) Two times 9am and 11am,
Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register with time preference.
Tori is a Mom of two littles – Kade, 3 yrs, and Quinn, 10 months. 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!
