Past Events
Spring Birding – Northern Migration
Date: Thu April 18, 2024Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd, LymeCT
Contact Email: programreg@lymepl.org
Learn about the wonders of spring bird migration.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
Register: programreg@lymepl.org
or call 860 434-2272
Sponsored by the Lyme Public Library
Spring Is in the Air – A Guided Forest Bathing Experience
Time: 9:30-11:30 am
Place: Ravine Trail, Mitchell Hill Entrance, Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@reganstacey.com
Start your morning with a guided forest bathing walk and revel in the joy of spring. Awaken your senses and take in the cool air as we walk along a cascading stream and gently ascend to an overlook. Surprise yourself with all that is emerging and waking up this time of year.
The session includes a short gentle mindful movement practice, a sensory awakening meditation, and concludes with tea together in the forest. Opportunities to connect with nature will be offered along the way.
About 1-mile over easy to moderate terrain.
Registration: $25 ~ includes the program and tea Register here.
Lyme Land Trust members receive 10% discount with code LLT10.
Rain or shine event. Challenging weather cancels.
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.
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
Lymes Senior Center Gentle Walk Wednesday with Wendy
Time: 9:30-10:30ish am
Place: Patrell Preserve, part of Chapel Farm Preserve, Baker Ln, Lyme
Contact Email: cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov
Presenter: Wendy Hill
A portion of the Patrell Preserve is in Lyme and part in East Haddam. There is a 0.3 mile ADA compliant blacktop path leading from the parking lot to a foot bridge over the Eightmile River. Depending upon group, we will walk the fairly easy 1-mile red dirt trail loop which follows three thousand feet along the Eightmile River and has interesting geological features.
Directions: Take 156 to Baker Lane in Lyme, about 7.7 miles north of Halls Road/Rte 156 traffic light in Old Lyme. Go 0.5 miles. Turn left into Chapel Farm Preserve parking lot, 11 Baker Lane, East Haddam.
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: Nehantic State Park – Kristina
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Park in lot across from 58-4 Town woods Rd. 2-3 miles
Contact Email: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina
On Town Woods Road – walk through laurel groves and up and over ridges in an often overlooked part of the State forest. Park in lot across from 58-4 Town woods Rd. 2-3 miles
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
The Amazing Conservation Success Story of Eastern Bluebirds
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd, LymeCT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Did you know the population of Eastern Bluebirds dramatically declined from the 1930s to 1980s, but humans across the country helped them stage an incredible comeback? Join us for this program presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
Come hear the story of the beautiful Eastern Bluebird and their remarkable recovery over the last 30-50 years.
Register: programreg@lymepl.org
or call 860 434-2272
Much of the bluebird’s success is due to the work of citizen scientists building, installing and monitoring bluebird boxes. If you’re inspired to help bluebirds in this way after this talk, you’re welcome to join our Bluebird Project sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust and Lyme Pollinator Pathway! We will have a follow-up workshop to build birdhouses. Stay tuned. Our bluebird volunteers will make at least 2 birdhouses, one for a preserve and one for their backyard. It’s free with all materials supplied. All you have to do is pledge to take care of bluebird box(es) in a preserve(s). It’s a great activity for a solo meadow hike or to do with family and friends. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to help support our bluebird populations!
Co-sponsored with Lyme Pollinator Pathway
POSTPONED- Ceremonial Stonework Walk with Markham Starr
Time: 9:00 am-12:00ish pm
Place: Gungywamp, Groton, CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join us for a walk at Gungywamp in Groton CT to see ceremonial stonework left behind by the indigenous population that has inhabited New England for at least 12,000 years. Documentary photographer Markham Starr will lead the walk. Wear sturdy footwear and bring a walking stick for stability. Bring your own bottle of water or beverage.
Registration required. Email education@lymelandtrust.org
Park at 231 Gungywamp road, Groton, Ct at the abandoned Navy church Shepard of the Sea parking lot. Park in the lot right on the road – not the one down off the road. Note – it may also have signs that say Love Station Foundation – just look for the abandoned church.
Native Americans built several distinct types of structures in our area, ranging from cairns to stone serpent effigies, and these spiritual offerings remain standing in now long abandoned woods. While Native American stonework is widely recognized out west and to the south, New England’s stonework remains obscure, having blended back into the woods. We will walk about two miles.
Markham Starr is a documentary photographer concerned with the disappearing working cultures of New England. He is the author of a dozen books, providing glimpses into the lives of people such as commercial fishermen, farmers, and cannery workers, and has written about other subjects such as historic barns in Connecticut. His work has appeared in national magazines and is part of the permanent collection at the Library of Congress and other museums throughout New England.
Lymes Senior Center Take-a-Walk Wednesday with Wendy
Time: 9:30-11:30ish am
Place: Hartman Park, Gungy Rd. Lyme CT
Contact Email: cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov
Presenter: Wendy Hill
The unique natural, historic and archeological features in Hartman Park make it a delight to explore. We will look for spring wildflowers. About 2.5 miles.
Directions: Meet at the Main Entrance parking lot about 1.5 miles north of the intersection of Gungy Rd, Beaver Brook Rd, and Grassy Hill Rd in Lyme. From the Old Lyme Hall’s Rd/Rte 156 traffic light, travel north on 156 for 6.6 miles. Turn right onto Beaver Brook Rd and travel 2.7 to left at intersection.
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 2nd 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 moderate, unless otherwise noted. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Wear sturdy footwear and bring a hiking stick or pole if you would like. Everyone welcome. All hikes are 2.5 to 3 miles. Inclement weather cancels the walk.
Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior Center.
Tuesday Trek: Roaring Brook Preserve
Date: Tue April 9, 2024Time: 9:00 am
Place: Roaring Brook Preserve, Day Hill Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim Arrigoni
We’ll take a leisurely 0.7 mile hike through the Roaring Brook Preserve. We are going to enjoy the journey; bring your field guides and cameras. Meet at the entrance on Day Hill Rd. Park along the side of the road.
Contact: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
FULL – Solar Eclipse Experience
Date: Mon April 8, 2024Time: 2:30- 4:00pm
Place: LLT Barn and Banning wood Preserve, Town St, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
This program is full. Please email education@lymelandtrust.org to be placed on the wait list.
Join Wendy Hill and Kristina White, for an informational session and walk to experience the solar eclipse in Lyme. Even though we aren’t in the path for the total eclipse, the sun here will be 90% covered. We will start in the LLT barn and then move into the Banningwood Preserve to see the eclipse which peaks at 3:27 pm. Eclipse safety glasses will be provided. We will also each create our own camera obscura to safely observe the eclipse.
Meet at the LLT barn, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme CT
Program is full. Register for wait list in case of cancellation: education@lymelandtrust.org
Wendy is the Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator and LLT Vice President. Kristina is the LLT Executive Director.
In Search of Spring Amphibians with Jim Arrigoni
Time: 10:00 am-noon
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join LLT environmental director Jim Arrigoni and amphibian expert on a stroll through the varied terrain of Selden Creek Preserve. We’ll look at the landscape though the perspective of different species of frogs and salamanders, highlighting different habitats and features that are critical to the survival of these often overlooked wildlife. We will explore vernal pool wetlands, breeding sites for Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders, which will be in full flourish, teeming with amphibian egg masses and maybe even early tadpoles. American Toads, Red-spotted Newts, and Spring Peepers are other species we may encounter.
He will also demonstrate how you can contribute to science by sharing your amphibian observations on iNaturalist by joining the Wild Lyme Project.
Space is limited. Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
This is a follow-up to an amphibian slide show on April 4. Attendance at the slide show is not required to attend the walk.
For more information on the slide show.
