Past Events
CANCELLED Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Place: Trail 53 Observatory
Contact Email: astronomy@lymelandtrust.org
Due to overcast skies for next several nights, we have had to cancel this event. All RSVPs were sent an email this morning. If you did not receive it, pls check your SPAM or JUNK folder and please add astronomy@lymelandtrust.org to your Contacts, too, to receive future update notifications.
We are hosting an indoor Astronomy Q&A in its place tonight to the first 15 people who send a request to astronomy@lymelandtrust.org, and we have scheduled a replacement observing session next Friday night, October 4, which you must register for.
We apologize for this. When the weather breaks bad, we are in reactive mode.
Gentle Walk Wednesday: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve – Wendy
Time: 10:00 am
Place: The parking lot for the Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve is on the west side of Brush Hill Road about 1/2 mile south of Hadlyme Four Corners (Hadlyme Country Store).
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
This one-mile dirt path loop provides a delightful walk. Ancient oak trees still stand guard over the former pasture land bordered by stone walls and an old abandoned quarry.
Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior 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 4th 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.
View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule
Tuesday Trek: Mt Archer Woods – Tony
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Park in Mt Archer Woods Parking Lot on south side of Mt Archer Rd.
Contact Email: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
Presenter: Tony Irving
3 mile loop including portions of the Eno Preserve. Walk past old stone foundation and many stone walls.
Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Autumn Equinox Celebration — A Guided Forest Bathing Experience
Time: 1:30 - 4:00 pm
Place: Pleasant Valley Preserve, MacIntosh Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@reganstacey.com
Celebrate the autumn equinox and come into the natural cycles and rhythm of nature. Restore and replenish for the season ahead. Our time together includes gentle mindful movement, nature meditation, and opportunities along the way to connect with the natural world. The session concludes with tea together. The walk is about 1-mile round trip over easy to moderate terrain.
This event follows a presentation on The Art of Forest Bathing offered on Friday, September 20, 6 PM – 7 PM at the Lyme Library. Attendance at the presentation is not required to attend the walk. Learn more here.
FREE. Registration required. Space is limited.
Register here.
Rain or shine event. Ages 18+. Please no pets.
This event is sponsored by the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee in partnership with the Lyme Land Trust.
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 a mindfulness meditation teacher and forest therapy guide, whose passion is to bring humans and nature together for personal and planetary well-being. Through her private practice, she offers guided forest bathing sessions, meditative walks, and mindfulness in nature retreats.
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
Questions? Email Regan at regan@reganstacey.com
FULL – Fungal Ecology Walk–Mushrooms with Bill Yule
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Place: Johnston Preserve, Rte 82, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join us for this fascinating walk with Bill Yule, naturalist and amateur mycologist, to walk, talk, and collect mushrooms. Bill will explain about forest and watershed ecology and all things fungal. After the walk, specimens will be examined and identified and questions answered. Bring mushrooms from home for identification.
This walk is full. Email to be placed on the wait list: education@lymelandtrust.org
“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
Volunteer Work and Learn Party – Remove Invasive Plants at Hartman Park
Time: 9:00-11:00 am
Place: Meet at the Hartman Park Main Entrance, Gungy Road,Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Please joinLyme Open Space Coordinator Wendolyn Hill to help clear invasive plants around the Lee Farm foundation. Learn to identify invasive plants to remove and native plants to preserve. Bring and work gloves, loppers, clippers, pruners, Mattocks, and anything else you think will be helpful. A power pruner or weed wacker may be helpful. Please wear long pants.
Bring a bottle of water for yourself. Snacks will be provided. Inclement weather cancels.
We have mowed and weakened the Japanese barberry in the area around the ruins at the Lee Farm for a few years to encourage native vegetation to grow. Now it is time for us to go in and cut or pull out the invasives that are resprouting, and to trim around the stones. Learn to identify the invasives to remove and native plants to preserve.
Registration appreciated (walk-ins welcome): openspace@townlyme.org
Sponsored by the Town of Lyme and the Lyme Land Trust
The Art of Forest Bathing Talk
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156) Lyme CT
Contact Email: regan@reganstacey.com
Curious about forest bathing? Come to a presentation by Regan Stacey, co-founder of The Forest Therapy School, as she shares the mindful practice of nature immersion, including its history, health benefits, and the importance of nature connection to our personal and planetary well-being.
Register: programreg@lymelibrary.org
A guided forest bathing session will follow on Sunday, September 22 at Pleasant Valley Preserve from 1:30 – 4:00 PM and is optional for those who are interested. You do not have to attend the talk to go on the walk. Space is limited. To find out more and to register, please go here.
This event is sponsored by the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee in partnership with the Lyme Land Trust and Lyme Public Library.
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 a mindfulness meditation teacher and forest therapy guide, whose passion is to bring humans and nature together for personal and planetary well-being. Through her private practice, she offers guided forest bathing sessions, meditative walks, and mindfulness in nature retreats.
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
Questions? Email Regan at regan@reganstacey.com
Forestry for the Birds: Lyme Land Trust’s Young Forest Project
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Take-a-Walk Wednesday: John Lohman CT River Preserve – Wendy
Date: Wed September 18, 2024Time: 9:30-11:30 am
Place: Park along the road near 33 Colt Lane, Old Lyme CT.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
John Lohman CT River Preserve, 33 Colt Lane, Old Lyme CT. Parking is along the road. A short steep incline opens to a beautiful expanse of meadow. We will walk along the mowed path to each our destination, Whale Rock, a spectacular outcropping with views of Lord Cove and the CT River. Bring your binoculars. 1.5 miles
Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior 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 led by Wendy Hill, Open Space Coordinator of Lyme and the Vice President of Lyme Land Trust. The walks are moderate, dirt paths with some uneven footing and moderate hills, unless noted. Paced to the group. Bring a walking stick, water bottle and dress for the weather. Inclement weather cancels.
View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule
Tuesday Trek: Johnston Preserve – Jim
Time: 9:00
Place: Park at trailhead at the parking lot on the south side of Rt. 82.
Contact Email: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim
moderate 2.8-mile hike on the fuchsia trail through majestic forest, with lots of streams, wetlands, stone walls and bedrock outcrops to explore along the way.
Register: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
