Past Events
Twelfth Annual Land Trusts Amateur Photo Contest Reception
Date: Fri April 6, 2018Time: 6 to 7:30 pm, presentation at 7pm
Place: Lymes Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT
Contact Email: info@landtrustsphotocontest.org
Everyone is welcome to a reception which celebrates the scenic beauty of our towns. The work of all the photographers who entered the Land Trusts Amateur Photo Contest will be represented in the exhibit. During the presentation, winning photographs will be announced, and cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded. The reception is free. Light refreshments will be served.
The reception is sponsored by the Land Trusts of Lyme, East Haddam, Essex, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Salem
Click here for more information.
Everyone is welcome to a reception which celebrates the scenic beauty of our towns. The work of all the photographers who entered the Land Trusts Amateur Photo Contest will be represented in the exhibit. During the presentation, winning photographs will be announced, and cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded. The reception is free. Light refreshments will be served.
The reception is sponsored by the Land Trusts of Lyme, East Haddam, Essex, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Salem
Click here for more information.
Trailblazers walk-Pickwick’s to Mt Archer Woods
Date: Tue March 27, 2018Time: 1:30-3:30ish pm
Place: Meet at Mt Archer Woods Parking Lot, Mt Archer Road, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: The Lyme Land Trust and The Town of Lyme
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. Everyone is welcome.
We will walk from Pickwick’s Preserve to Mt Archer Woods, led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is a little more than 2 miles long. Meet at the Mt Archer Woods Parking Lot. The plan is to car pool over to the Pickwick Preserve entrance on Joshuatown Road and walk the trails back to the Mt Archer Parking Lot.
Inclement weather Cancels.
Directions: Rt. 156 north to Mt. Archer Road. Left on Mt Archer Road. Go one mile on Mt Archer Road (bear left up the big hill). The parking lot is down a long driveway on the left, the 4th long driveway after you start up the hill. Look for the stone post marker that has “Mt Archer Woods Town of Lyme” written on it. It faces the road, so you can’t read it until you are on top of it. (If you get to 100 Mt. Archer Road, you have gone too far).
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. Everyone is welcome.
We will walk from Pickwick’s Preserve to Mt Archer Woods, led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is a little more than 2 miles long. Meet at the Mt Archer Woods Parking Lot. The plan is to car pool over to the Pickwick Preserve entrance on Joshuatown Road and walk the trails back to the Mt Archer Parking Lot.
Inclement weather Cancels.
Directions: Rt. 156 north to Mt. Archer Road. Left on Mt Archer Road. Go one mile on Mt Archer Road (bear left up the big hill). The parking lot is down a long driveway on the left, the 4th long driveway after you start up the hill. Look for the stone post marker that has “Mt Archer Woods Town of Lyme” written on it. It faces the road, so you can’t read it until you are on top of it. (If you get to 100 Mt. Archer Road, you have gone too far).
CANCELLED – Volunteer Work Party at Mt Archer Woods
Date: Sun March 11, 2018Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Place: Mt Archer Woods Preserve
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
This work party has been CANCELLED due to weather conditions! We will reschedule when conditions improve.
Please join us from 9:00 to 12:00 for a work party at Mt. Archer Woods Preserve in Lyme to continue clean-up of the historic ruins area. Come for all or part of the time. Bring heavy-duty work gloves to pull and remove barberry and other invasives from the around the stone walls. Bring loppers and any other tools that you think will be helpful. Chain saws and power pruners are also welcome.
The ruins are a little more than a half-mile in on the white trail. There will be refreshments!
Park at the Main Parking Lot of Mt Archer Woods on Mt Archer Road in Lyme.
Directions from Rte 156: Rt. 156 north to Mt. Archer Road. Left onto Mt Archer Road. Go one mile on Mt Archer Road (bear left up the big hill). The parking lot is down a long driveway on the left, the 4th long driveway after you start up the hill. Look for the stone post marker that has âMt Archer Woods Town of Lymeâ written on it. It faces the road, so you canât read it until you are on top of it. (If you get to 100 Mt. Archer Road, you have gone too far).
Please let me know if you are planning to be there. openspace@townlyme.org
Photos by Wendolyn Hill, work party on April 10, 2016
This work party has been CANCELLED due to weather conditions! We will reschedule when conditions improve.
Please join us from 9:00 to 12:00 for a work party at Mt. Archer Woods Preserve in Lyme to continue clean-up of the historic ruins area. Come for all or part of the time. Bring heavy-duty work gloves to pull and remove barberry and other invasives from the around the stone walls. Bring loppers and any other tools that you think will be helpful. Chain saws and power pruners are also welcome.
The ruins are a little more than a half-mile in on the white trail. There will be refreshments!
Park at the Main Parking Lot of Mt Archer Woods on Mt Archer Road in Lyme.
Directions from Rte 156: Rt. 156 north to Mt. Archer Road. Left onto Mt Archer Road. Go one mile on Mt Archer Road (bear left up the big hill). The parking lot is down a long driveway on the left, the 4th long driveway after you start up the hill. Look for the stone post marker that has âMt Archer Woods Town of Lymeâ written on it. It faces the road, so you canât read it until you are on top of it. (If you get to 100 Mt. Archer Road, you have gone too far).
Please let me know if you are planning to be there. openspace@townlyme.org
Photos by Wendolyn Hill, work party on April 10, 2016
Sunday Afternoon Hike – Hartman Park – The Rest of Orange Heritage Trail
Date: Sun March 4, 2018Time: 1:30 - 3:30ish pm
Place: Meet at Hartman Park Entrance Parking Lot
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us on a walk into the past as we visit the part of the Orange Heritage Trail at Hartman Park that we usually skip on guided tours. We will climb up a hill to get to the old farmstead ruins and the beautiful overlook on Chapman Ridge in Nehantic State Forest. Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member, and Lyme Open Space Coordinator, will lead the hike. The Orange Trail is a beautiful path through the woods which leads to several stone remnants of a historical community. There are some rocky areas and moderate hill climbs.
The entire walk is about 2.5 miles long with options for short cuts. We will have a snack break halfway through. Bring water or something to drink.
Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org
Rain cancels.
Directions: The Main Entrance parking lot for Hartman Park is on Gungy Road about 1.5 miles north of the 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Beaverbrook Road, Grassy Hill Road, and Gungy Road.
Join us on a walk into the past as we visit the part of the Orange Heritage Trail at Hartman Park that we usually skip on guided tours. We will climb up a hill to get to the old farmstead ruins and the beautiful overlook on Chapman Ridge in Nehantic State Forest. Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member, and Lyme Open Space Coordinator, will lead the hike. The Orange Trail is a beautiful path through the woods which leads to several stone remnants of a historical community. There are some rocky areas and moderate hill climbs.
The entire walk is about 2.5 miles long with options for short cuts. We will have a snack break halfway through. Bring water or something to drink.
Registration is appreciated: openspace@townlyme.org
Rain cancels.
Directions: The Main Entrance parking lot for Hartman Park is on Gungy Road about 1.5 miles north of the 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Beaverbrook Road, Grassy Hill Road, and Gungy Road.
12th Annual Land Trusts Amateur Photo Contest Deadline
Date: Wed February 28, 2018Time: 5:00 pm
Place: East Haddam, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Salem
Contact Email: info@landtrustsphotocontest.org
Presenter: Land Trusts of East Haddam, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Salem
The Deadline is February 28, 2018
Photographers of all ages may enter, with those 16 years old and younger entering the Youth category. All photos must be taken in East Haddam, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, or Salem.
For more information, rules and entry forms go to landtrustsphotocontest.org
Sponsors include Ballek’s Garden Center, Evan Griswold at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Essex Meadows, Essex Savings Bank, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Lorensen Auto Group, OWCM Group Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Riverquest-CT Expeditions, Dr. Gita Safaian of Hamburg Cove Endodontics
The Deadline is February 28, 2018
Photographers of all ages may enter, with those 16 years old and younger entering the Youth category. All photos must be taken in East Haddam, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, or Salem.
For more information, rules and entry forms go to landtrustsphotocontest.org
Sponsors include Ballek’s Garden Center, Evan Griswold at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Essex Meadows, Essex Savings Bank, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Lorensen Auto Group, OWCM Group Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Riverquest-CT Expeditions, Dr. Gita Safaian of Hamburg Cove Endodontics
Trailblazers walk- Jewett Preserve
Date: Tue February 27, 2018Time: 2:00-400 pm
Place: Meet at Jewett Preserve Cemetery Entrance
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for this moderate walk in the woods at the Jewett Preserve in Lyme. We will look for signs of Spring, led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. The hike is a about 2.5 miles.
Inclement weather cancels.
Directions: Rt. 156 north to left on Mt. Archer Road. Travel about 1.25 miles. The Jewett Cemetery Entrance is on the right.
Join us for this moderate walk in the woods at the Jewett Preserve in Lyme. We will look for signs of Spring, led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. The hike is a about 2.5 miles.
Inclement weather cancels.
Directions: Rt. 156 north to left on Mt. Archer Road. Travel about 1.25 miles. The Jewett Cemetery Entrance is on the right.
Trailblazer Walk- Young Preserve and Walbridge Woodlands
Date: Tue February 20, 2018Time: 1:30- 3:30 pm
Place: Meet at Parking Lot for Young Preserve.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Trailblazers walk-Chestnut Hill
Date: Tue February 13, 2018Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Place: Chestnut Hill, Sterling Hill Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Lyme Land Conservation Trust and Town of Lyme
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. Everyone is welcome.
This week’s hike will explore Chestnut Hill Preserve and continue into Nehantic State Forest, led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2.5 miles long. We will meet at the entrance to the Preserve on Sterling Hill Road.
Inclement weather cancels.
Directions: Rt. 156 to Sterling City Road (either by Tiffany Farm or the Hamburg Fairgrounds). Go about 1 mile. Turn onto Sterling Hill Road. Chestnut Hill entrance is about 0.5 mile on the right. Parking is along the side of the road.
Photo: At Balanced Rock, by Wendolyn Hill
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. Everyone is welcome.
This week’s hike will explore Chestnut Hill Preserve and continue into Nehantic State Forest, led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2.5 miles long. We will meet at the entrance to the Preserve on Sterling Hill Road.
Inclement weather cancels.
Directions: Rt. 156 to Sterling City Road (either by Tiffany Farm or the Hamburg Fairgrounds). Go about 1 mile. Turn onto Sterling Hill Road. Chestnut Hill entrance is about 0.5 mile on the right. Parking is along the side of the road.
Photo: At Balanced Rock, by Wendolyn Hill
Trailblazer Walk – Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve

Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Place: Meet at the parking lot on Brush Hill Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for a walk at the Lyme Land Trusts newest preserve, the Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve in Lyme. The walk will be led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. The hike is a moderately easy 2.5 miles or so.
Rain cancels.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot on Brush Hill Road, Lyme CT. The parking lot is 1/4 mile south of the intersection of Brush Hill Road and Rte 82 (Hadlyme 4-Corners, home of the Hadlyme Country Store)
Join us for a walk at the Lyme Land Trusts newest preserve, the Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve in Lyme. The walk will be led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Town of Lyme Open Space Coordinator. The hike is a moderately easy 2.5 miles or so.
Rain cancels.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot on Brush Hill Road, Lyme CT. The parking lot is 1/4 mile south of the intersection of Brush Hill Road and Rte 82 (Hadlyme 4-Corners, home of the Hadlyme Country Store)
Trailblazers – Walk at Selden Creek Preserve
Date: Fri January 26, 2018Time: 9:30 am
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. We will walk to an impressive overlook of Selden Creek and marshes with the CT River in the background. There are a few hills. Everyone is welcome.
This week’s hike will explore the Selden Creek Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2 miles long with an option to walk longer. We will meet at the Selden Creek Preserve entrance on Joshuatown Road in Lyme.
Inclement weather cancels.
Directions: Rte 156 North to left on Joshuatown Road (about 5 miles from I-95); travel about 4 miles to park entrance on the left.
Join us for this moderately easy walk in the woods. We will walk to an impressive overlook of Selden Creek and marshes with the CT River in the background. There are a few hills. Everyone is welcome.
This week’s hike will explore the Selden Creek Preserve led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust board member and Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme. The hike is about 2 miles long with an option to walk longer. We will meet at the Selden Creek Preserve entrance on Joshuatown Road in Lyme.
Inclement weather cancels.
Directions: Rte 156 North to left on Joshuatown Road (about 5 miles from I-95); travel about 4 miles to park entrance on the left.