Woodland Wander : East Haddam
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Sheepskin Hollow, Sheepskin Hollow Road, East Haddam, 06423, United States
This slower-paced hike at Sheepskin Hollow Preserve and led by the land trust’s Executive Director Pete Govert, is designed for those who like casual walks through the woods with time to explore nature. Meet at the parking area on Sheepskin Hollow Road. Leashed dogs are welcome to come along with their owners. Walkers are invited to bring light snacks to share along with EHLT refreshments for an after-hike tailgate.

Teen Hike and Steward Group Meet-up : Lyme
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:30, 2026-01-18 13:00 - 15:30
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. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Regan Stacey is a mother whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature.
Tools and gloves provided.
For more information and for the schedule of meet-up dates.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Gillette Castle State Park Hike : East Haddam
2025-12-17 09:30 - 11:30 | Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Meet at the main parking lot by the visitor center. We will walk up to the Castle terrace, which is in Lyme, to see the most spectacular view of the CT River. We will explore the moderately easy dirt path route that was once a narrow gauge train trail. About 1 mile.
Contact: hillwendyb@gmail.com

Managing Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-Heaven : Webinar
2025-12-17 14:00 - 15:30
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) are closely linked invasive species that continue to threaten North American forests, agriculture, and ecosystems. This webinar will explore promising biocontrol solutions aimed at managing these invasive pests.
Registration required. See website.

Walbridge Woodland Hike: Lyme
2025-12-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Walbridge Woodland, Gungy Road, Lyme, 06371, United States
Moderate 1.5-mile walk through cedar grove and deciduous upland forest among several interesting stone walls and remains of old buildings. Meet at the Hartman Park main parking entrance, just north of Walbridge Woodland on Gungy Road.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

First Day Hikes at Gillette Castle : East Haddam
2026-01-01 08:00 - 16:00 | Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Enjoy a hike along the beautiful trails at Gillette Castle State Park as part of the national First Day Hikes initiative!
Self guided hikes – all day – Print the Hiking & History map at home, and bring more insight to your hike! Printed maps are also available at the welcome table from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a $1 donation for the map is appreciated to defray printing costs.
Hot cider and trail maps – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Welcome table with trail maps that explain the route of William Gillette’s trail system, and hot cider to keep everyone warm and toasty.
Guided hikes: departing the Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. (departing every half hour between 10:30am and 1pm, except there is no hike at noon)
Register here for the 2025 First Day Hikes

New Year's Day Hikes : Lyme / Hadlyme
2026-01-01 10:00 - 15:30
Start 2026 off with a refreshing hike in the Lyme woods. The Lyme Land Trust is offering two walks this year. Register with the walk leader for the time and location you prefer. Space is limited. You may sign up for more than one walk if space and time permits.

10:00 am to 12:30ish pm: Pleasant Valley Preserve with Tony Irving. Notice glacial geology and its effect on colonial agricultural practices on a moderate 3.5-mile walk with a long gentle incline to a spectacular overlook. Meet at pull-in parking lot, Macintosh Rd, Lyme, about 1/4 mile west of the intersection of Macintosh road and Rte 156.
Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
1:30 to 3:30ish pm: Gillette’s Castle with Wendy Hill: From the Hadlyme Ferry parking lot, we will walk a gentle climb along the walkway up to the Castle. At the top, take in the vista from the terrace of the Castle, and then follow the original train route, including a very cool tunnel and round-about, for Gillette’s small gauge railroad. Along the way, note the unique geology and enjoy beautiful views of the Connecticut River unobstructed by leaves. About 2.5 miles.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org
Directions: Meet at the Hadlyme Public Boat Ramp parking lot by the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Ferry Road (Rte 148). (Note: For google maps, search for “Chester-Hadlyme Ferry”. Make sure GPS sends you to Ferry Road in Lyme (Rte 148), not Old Lyme.)

For more information about the preserves. Everyone is welcome. End times are approximate. Allow extra time. Bring a bottle of water. Inclement weather cancels. Check for updates on the LLT website.

Ravine Trail Hike : Lyme
2026-01-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Ravine Trail, Mitchell Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
We will walk a loop that takes us up the ravine, stops at 2 overlooks, and through Laurel groves. Some steep terrain. 2-plus miles. Meet at the entrance on Mitchell Hill Rd., Lyme.
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org

Clever Corvids : Salem
2026-01-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Salem Free Public Library, 264 Hartford Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States
Corvids, a family of birds including crows, ravens, and jays, are renowned for their exceptional intelligence. Explore with us the specific, and often amusing, behaviors that illystrate their complex cognitive abilities.
This 1 hour program features a crow, raven, owl and hawk.
Presented by Horizon Wings.
Call 860-859-1130 to register
Funds for this project were provided by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee and the National Park Service under CFDA:15-962-Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Assistance.

Hartman Park/Goodwin Trail Hike : Lyme
2026-01-13 09:30 - 11:30 | Hartman Park, Gungy Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Walk the Goodwin Trail segment to the NE corner of Hartman Park and back, about 3 miles. The Goodwin Trail overlaps with the northern section of the red trail. Meet at the Goodwin Trail Entrance on Gungy Rd, about 2 miles north of the intersection of Gungy Rd and Beaver Brook Rd. Park along the side of the road.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Changing Landscapes - Lyme
2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Changing Landscapes with Wildlife Biologist Ginny Apple
Lyme Public Hall is pleased to partner with the Lyme Land Trust to present CT DEEP wildlife expert Ginny Apple and her presentation of Changing Landscapes, a talk about how wildlife species in our area have been affected by land use practices throughout the years, starting from colonial times. We hope you’ll join us for this fascinating evening!
To preregister for the talk, please email here.

January Thaw - East Haddam
2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Ballek’s Garden, 91 Maple Avenue, East Haddam, CT, CT, 06423, United States
Warm Your Spirits with Botanical Sips and Natural Wine at January Thaw, a unique community fundraiser benefiting two incredible causes: the East Haddam Land Trust, dedicated to conserving our town’s wild places and natural beauty, and the River Valley Personal Care Products Project, providing essential hygiene items to our neighbors.
Note: This event is strictly for ages 21 and over.
It is a fund raiser and a suggested donation is $75 per ticket.
Tickets may be purchased on the website.

Why Watersheds Matter - Hadlyme
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Hadlyme Public Hall, 63 Ferry Road, Hadlyme, CT, 06439, United States
The Eightmile River Watershed is an exemplary example of an intact naturally functioning watershed with exceptional biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
Anthony Irving, Chairman and Patricia Young, Program Director of the Eight Mile River Wild & Scenic Watershed will discuss how our towns benefit from this unique resource.
Free Admission

POSTPONED - Lyme Pollinator 5th Anniversary Party
2026-01-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Ballek’s Garden Center, 90 Maple Ave, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
POSTPONED due to weather. New date: March 28th.

Lyme Pollinator Pathway invites you to our 5th Anniversary Party for an evening of warmth, cheer and greenery with fellow nature lovers at the lovely Ballek’s Garden Center greenhouse. Enjoy libations and nibbles – wine, native plant-themed mocktail, and appetizers. We will present our first annual Habitat Hero Award, have drawings for prizes, and Cake!
Donations: $25.00 per person. Email lymepollinator@gmail.com to RSVP. Pay by mail-in check or by check/cash at the door.  To learn more and to download a form for mail-in payment by check, go to : https://www.lymelandtrust.org/lyme-pollinator-pathway/
100% of your tax-deductible donations allow us to continue to promote pollinator habitat restoration, incorporating native plants, by providing free educational programs for the community.

Chestnut Hill / Nehantic Trail Hike - Lyme
2026-02-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Chestnut Hil Preserve, Sterling City Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Walk through Chestnut Hill Preserve and then enter Nehantic Forest where we will walk up to Brown Hill, through the recent cutting area, along several ridges and back. About 3 or so miles. Park at Chestnut Hill Preserve entrance on Sterling Hill Rd, Lyme.
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org

Sheepskin Hollow Hike - East Haddam
2026-02-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Sheepskin Hollow, Sheepskin Hollow Road, East Haddam, 06423, United States
Take a Wednesday walk with the East Haddam and Lyme Land Trusts. Sheepskin Hollow Preserve has a brook that descends through some very scenic rock formations, a large and very active beaver pond, and a variety of very different habitats. Wendy Hill, Open Space Coordinator of Lyme and Lyme Land Trust Vice President will lead the walks with host Cameron Beard of the East Haddam Land Trust. Moderate with a some inclines. About 2 miles.

The Tree Collective Teen Event - Lyme
2026-02-08 13:00 - 15:30
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. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Regan Stacey is a mother whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature.
Tools and gloves provided.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Selden Creek Preserve Hike - Lyme
2026-02-10 09:30 - 11:30 | Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Hike to both overlooks and experience the vista with a view unobstructed by leaves. 2.5 miles. Fairly steep in parts. Meet at the Selden Creek Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Rd.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Thach Preserve Hike - Lyme
2026-02-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Thach Preserve, 131 Brush Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Walk the gentle and mostly-flat 1-mile trail, pausing at the picnic table overlooking the beaver wetland to see what’s happening in the “dead” of winter. If we have old-fashioned New England weather, we may attempt to snowshoe or cross-country ski the loop instead of cancelling due to snow. Park at the trailhead on Brush Hill Road.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Opossum Tales for Young Nature Lovers - Lyme
2026-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT, 06371-3110, United States
Join us during school break for a very special program with opossum rehabilitators experts Pam and Bill Lefferts of Ferncroft
Wildlife Rescue. Using the big screen, Pam will tell an engaging short picture story about backyard wildlife, with a focus on opossums. Children will learn all about the unique characteristics of the gentle, nocturnal creatures, their quirky characteristics and beneficial role in nature. They may be surprised to hear that U.S. Presidents have kept opossums in the White House! Best of all, everyone will have the chance to meet real-life opossum ambassador Brandi, who wears a harness and leash and happily allows young guests to pet her soft fur. There will be time for questions and to have a photo taken with Brandi (animal ambassadors are always held by the presenters so they stay calm and feel safe). Geared for children four and older, and their interested friends & family. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Register: programreg@lymepl.org

Hike the Lena Reserve - East Haddam
2026-02-18 09:30 - 11:30 | Lena Reserve, Babcock Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Take a Wednesday walk with the East Haddam and Lyme Land Trusts. The 207-acre Lena Reserve offers a range of terrains and forest types; as well as stone walls, fields and remnants of its agricultural history. Wendy Hill, Open Space Coordinator of Lyme and Lyme Land Trust Vice President will lead the walks with host Cameron Beard of the East Haddam Land Trust. Moderate with a some inclines. About 2 miles.
Directions: From Hadlyme 4-Corners, follow Rte 82 north for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Clark Hill Rd. Follow 2.6 mi to right on Tater Hill Rd. Take the next left (0.3 mi) on Babcock Rd (gravel road). The parking lot is at the end on the left. (0.4 mi)

Xen's Critters - Salem
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Salem Free Public Library, 264 Hartford Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States
A one hour presentation by an animal specialist with lots of interaction with animals such a ferret, chinchilla, hedgehog, bunny, guinea pig and more!
Call 860-859-1130 to register.
Sponsored by a grant from the Chelsea Groton Foundation.

Woods Walk - East Haddam
2026-02-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Rose Farm Homestead Preserve, 200 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Hike the Rose Farm Homestead Preserve in East Haddam.

Mt. Archer Woods Hike - Lyme
2026-02-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Mt Archer Woods, Mt Archer Rd, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
It is Maple Sugar Season! Walk through what was once excellent pasture that has since developed into a hardwood forest. We will look for signs of spring and learn about the process of making one of our regional delicacies. Meet at the parking area at the top of Mt. Archer on Mt. Archer Road.
Register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com

Hartman Park Hike - Lyme
2026-03-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Hartman Park, Gungy Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Walk along a ridge and up to the top area of Hartman Park. We will view a variety of indigenous stone structures along the way. – plus miles or so. Meet at Hartman Park main lot, Gungy Rd, Lyme.
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org

Griswold Point Hike : Old Lyme
2026-03-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Griswold Point, 11 Seaside Ln, Old Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Taking advantage of low tide and depending upon conditions, we will walk to the end of Griswold Point and back. About 1.5 miles. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at White Sands Beach Parking Lot, 11 Seaside Ln, Old Lyme.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Fishing Local Waterways - Lyme
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Are you a fishing enthusiast? Have you always wanted to be one? Or are you just interested in the fish that are likely to be lurking in the waterways you encounter while hiking the trails of Lyme? Either way, you’ll be interested to hear local expert Rowan Lytle’s talk on fishing our local waterways, sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust.
Rowan is a registered Connecticut fishing guide, operating both wading and canoe-based trips in central and eastern state waterways. He has been fishing ever since he can remember and has been an avid fly fisher since he was 14 years old. He fishes between 250 and 320 days each year, and has caught over 160 different fish species on the fly. Rowan has traveled all over the Eastern US to fish for species big and small, and has learned how to do long fishing trips on a tight budget.
To register for this talk, please email: education@lymelandtrust.org

Teen Hike and Steward Group : Lyme
2026-03-15 13:00 - 15:30
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. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Regan Stacey is a mother whose passion is to reconnect humans to nature.
Tools and gloves provided.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com
