Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Watershed

Eightmile River Board Meeting
2024-11-25 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-01-27 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-24 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Eightmile River Office, 2 Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States

East Haddam Sustainability Open Discussion
2025-02-22 14:00 - 16:00 | East Haddam Grange, 488 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Organization: East Haddam Sustainability Team

Family Trail Time with Tori - Lyme
2025-02-23 10:00 - 10:30 | Beebe Preserve, Old Grassy Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Organization: Lyme Land Trust
Presenter: Tori Harris
On this one-mile plus walk, visit a viewing platform for a beaver pond and see a large mysterious stone pile. 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!
Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register.

Woods Walk - East Haddam
2025-02-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Miller Farm Preserve, A.P. Gates Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Organization: East Haddam Land Trust
Join us at Miller Farm Preserve for a hike led by naturalist Steve Dedman. We will wander through bridged wooded wetlands and upland forest as we learn about our natural spaces in late winter.Meet at the parking lot on A.P. Gates Road. Hikers are invited to bring post-hike treats to share along with EHLT refreshments.
Leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans on hikes on our preserves.

The Tree Collective - Teen Activity - Lyme
2025-02-23 13:00 - 15:30
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
Place: Register to learn location
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. It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
Tools and gloves provided.
For more information.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Tuesday Trek: Beebe Preserve - Lyme
2025-03-04 09:00 - 10:30 | Beebe Preserve, Old Grassy Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Organization: Lyme Land Trust
Presenter: Ryan Quinn
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
This will be an easy 1 mile hike along the orange trail with a stop by the Beaver Brook pond overlook.
Beaver Lodge on Beebe Pond

Tuesday Trek: Hartman Park - Lyme
2025-03-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Hartman Park, Gungy Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Presenter Wendy Hill
Explore the southern part of the Hartman Park preserve and see what the beavers are up to.
Place: Meet at the main Hartman Park entrance.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org

Making Pollinator Friendly Landscapes - Lyme
2025-03-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT, 06371-3110, United States
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Registration: programreg@lymepl.org
Jane Seymour, CT DEEP wildlife biologist, will explain the value of transitioning a part of your lawn into meadow along with steps you can follow to do so. Learn about the wildlife that benefit from the meadows in our preserves as well as ways to extend that benefit by creating this habitat in your own backyard.
Jane Seymour is the steward of the Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon, CT and manages several productive meadows.
Co-sponsored with the Lyme Pollinator Pathway.

Wildlife Tracking for Beginners - East Haddam
2025-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Organization: Eightmile River Watershed
Location: 2 Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT 06423

Curious about how to identify signs of Wildlife? Join us Saturday March 15th for a brief talk and interactive hike!
– Learn what to look for, what resources to use, and how to identify what animal made them!– Go on an interactive hike with the opportunity to identify tracks and signs!

Space limited! Email info@eightmileriver.org to register.

Free, family friendly event! All are welcome! (Best suited for kids 8+)

Tuesday Trek: Johnston and Jewett Preserve - Lyme
2025-03-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Johnston Preserve, RT 82 (South side), Lyme, CT, 06439, United States
Place: Meet at the Johnston parking lot on RT 82. The lot is 2 miles west of the route 82 and route 156 intersection.
Contact Email: Kristin.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter Kristina
Hike a big loop to the overlook in Johnston, on the red trail in Jewett, and come back to Johnston.
About 4+ miles.
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org

Take-a-Walk Wednesday: Pleasant Valley Preserve - Lyme
2025-03-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Pleasant Valley Preserve, MacIntosh Rd, Lyme, CT, 06439, United States
Place: Pleasant Valley Preserve, MacIntosh Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
Pleasant Valley Preserve – We will walk through a variety of habitats, including the Eightmile River, meadows with cedar groves, and a pine forest.

Directions: From Hall’s Rd, Old Lyme: From traffic light, travel north 6.6 miles on Rte 156. Turn left onto MacIntosh Rd. Parking is at the pull-in lot on the right about 1/4 mile from Rte 156.

Please Reserve. Please email Caitlin Perkins at cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov or call (860)434-1605 ext. 241. Free to all.
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, Lyme Open Space Coordinator 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-two to three miles. Bring a walking stick, water bottle and dress for the weather. Inclement weather cancels.
Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior Center.

Astronomy Observing Session - Lyme
2025-03-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Trail 53 Observatory, Lyme, CT, CT, 06371, United States
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

Family Trail Time with Tori - Lyme
2025-03-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Mt Archer Woods, Mt Archer Rd, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Place: Mt Archer Woods, Mt Archer Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: vharris1391@gmail.com
Presenter: Tori Harris
Explore an old colonial ruins on this walk. Meet at the Mt Archer Woods Parking lot at the top of the hill and on the south side of Mt Archer Rd. 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!
Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register.

Spring Fling Public Festival - East Haddam
2025-03-23 12:00 - 15:00 | Machimoodus State Park, 128 Leesville Road, Moodus, CT, 06469, United States
The Friends of Machimoodus and Sunrise State Parks are hosting their 4th annual Spring Fling at Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam.
Spring Fling is a celebration of the season and our collective love of the outdoors. This year’s festivities we will be commemorating both of those occasions as well as a plethora of other action days taking place during this week including: Global Recycling Day, International Read To Me Day, International Day of Happiness, World Sparrow Day, World Frog Day, World Rewilding Day, Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day Taxonomist Appreciation Day, World Meteorological Day, World Bear Day, World Water Day, International Day of Forests, World Poetry Day, World Planting Day and many others.

Tree Collective: Teen hike and Steward Group Meet-up - Lyme
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:30
Place: Register to learn location
Organizer: Regan Stacey
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
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. It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
Tools and gloves provided.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Tuesday Trek: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve - Lyme
2025-03-25 09:00 - 10:30 | Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve, Brush Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Place: Meet at the parking lot on Brush Hill Road.
Contact Email: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim Arrigoni
A gentle 2-mile walk will pause to explore the edges of vernal pools for eggs of Spotted Salamanders, Wood Frogs, and other early spring critters.
Register: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Nonprofit Volunteer Expo - East Haddam
2025-03-29 14:00 - 17:00 | East Haddam Grange, 488 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Nonprofit Volunteer Expo

Location: East Haddam Grange
Presenter: Amalia Shaltiel / Co-chair of East Haddam’s Sustainability Team
East Haddam has many nonprofits. This event will help families and individuals find the right fit for fun and meaningful volunteer work in our community.
Whether you like the outdoors, care for animals or would like to help those in need, you can be of service, enjoy yourself and have quality family time too.
The event is sponsored by the East Haddam Sustainability Team.
Nonprofits who wish to participate can get in touch with Amalia at amaliashaltiel@gmail.com or at sustainability.team@easthaddam.org

Woods Walk : Gillette Castle - East Haddam
2025-03-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Presenter: Steve Dedman
Place: Meet in front of the Gillette Castle State Park visitor center at the main parking lot.
Join our hike on the Gillette Castle Train Loop. Learn from Steve Dedman about this gem of a state park overlooking the Connecticut River.
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Check back here and on our Facebook page for event postponements, cancellations, or updates.

Tuesday Trek: Johnston Preserve - Lyme
2025-04-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Johnston Preserve, RT 82 (South side), Lyme, CT, 06439, United States
Place: Meet at the Johnston parking lot on Rte 82.
Contact Email: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com
Presenter: Tony Irving
One of my favorite preserves with its diversity of topography. Great views at the overlook. Depending on the desires of the group we can do a 3.5-mile hike or something shorter.
Register: anthonyinlyme@gmail.com

April Vernal Pools Foray - Lyme
2025-04-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Place: Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join Jim Arrigoni in an exploration of two very different vernal pools at Selden Creek Preserve: one small, shallow & shady, the other large, sunny & deep. These temporary wetland habitats are critical for sustaining populations of fascinating critters like Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders, but varying conditions from pool-to-pool and year-to-year can result in very different outcomes for the species that depend on them. Come get an up-close view of who’s making their living in our local vernal pools and how they’re doing it.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Whalebone Cove and the Lower, Tidal Connecticut River: Past, Present and Future - Lyme
2025-04-06 15:00 - 16:30 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Organization: Friends of Whalebone Cove
Flyer: FOWC 2025 Flyer FINAL jpeg (1)
Friends of Whalebone Cove Annual Meeting
With Guest Speaker, Juliana Barrett, PhD. Connecticut Sea Grant Extension Educator Emerita, Coastal Habitat Specialist.
Whalebone Cove and the Lower, Tidal Connecticut River: Past, Present and Future
The Connecticut River is a unique, ecologically rich watershed with Whalebone Cove
as one of the major tidal marsh systems within it. Botanically rich and physically
dynamic, this presentation will explore Whalebone Cove in the context of the lower
Connecticut River, why this marsh is unique and how projected changes over time such
as intense rainfall events, higher air and water temperatures, sea level rise and storms
may impact it.
For more information: 860-322-4757 // fowchadlyme@gmail.com
Free Event, Refreshments, Public Welcome

Tuesday Trek: Thach Preserve - Lyme
2025-04-08 09:00 - 10:30 | Thach Preserve, 131 Brush Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Place: Meet at the Thach Preserve parking area, 131 Brush Hill Road.
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Presenter: Ryan Quinn
Winter is ending and things are turning green again! Lets enjoy a hike through the Thach preserve. This is a 1 mile loop with a variety of interesting habitats to explore.

iNaturalist 101 : Connect with Nature - Lyme
2025-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 | John Pritchard Conservation Center, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Place: John Pritchard Conservation Center, Lyme Land Trust Barn, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme, CT
Contact Email: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Want to know what you are seeing in nature? Want to contribute to citizen science by joining the Wild Lyme Biodiversity Project? With a photograph and a few taps on your smartphone, you, too, can follow in the footsteps of great biologists like Charles Darwin by identifying different species and sharing your observations with the scientific and conservation communities. Join Jim Arrigoni, Lyme Land Trust (LLT) environmental director ad team member of the Lyme Pollinator Pathway, for this informative program.
Learn how to use iNaturalist on your smartphone or computer and learn more about the world of plants, insects, mushrooms, birds, and trees that are all around us. This 1-hour workshop will show you how to use the app on your smartphone and desktop computer, what the best practices are for entering photos, and add hands-on practice.
Join the Wild Lyme Biodiversity project on iNaturalist and contribute to the study of the variety of life on all of the Lyme preserves owned by LLT, the Town of Lyme and The Nature Conservancy. We’ll show you how to join the project on the app, what you can contribute, and what you can learn about Lyme and the surrounding areas.
iNaturalist app is a free app that can be downloaded on both iPhone and android. We ask that you download the app on your smartphone and set up an account before coming to the workshop, or come at 6:30 pm for help to download the app.
Reservations required. Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Bald Eagles Presentation - Salem
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Salem Free Public Library, 264 Hartford Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States
Organization: Salem Free Public Library
Join Ginny Apple, Master Wildlife Conservationist with the CT DEEP for a talk & slide presentation about these magnificent birds of prey and their contributions to our ecosystem.
Location: Salem Free Public Library
Registration required. Call 860-859-0162 to register.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Salem Free Public Library
Bald Eagle

Woods Walk - Salem
2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Woodland Warbler Preserve, 340 West Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States
Woods Walk at Woodland Warbler Preserve
Hike at the Woodland Warbler Preserve in Salem. This Salem Land Trust preserve has old logging roads that allow access to sometimes rugged ridges, valleys, and caves. Pete Govert and EHLT directors will lead this 3-mile hike through multiple wildlife habitats with outstanding diversity. Meet at 340 West Road, Salem, next to the East Haddam Town line. Participants are invited to bring post-hike tailgate treats to share along with EHLT refreshments. This hike does not require preregistration.

Mini Bioblitz Field Event : Banningwood Preserve - Lyme
2025-04-13 14:00 - 16:00 | John Pritchard Conservation Center, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Place: John Pritchard Conservation Center, Lyme Land Trust Barn, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme, CT
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
Join the Lyme Land Trust’s Bioblitz Team by attending the inaugural Wild Lyme Project Mini Bioblitz! We will start at the John Pritchard Conservation Center and then move over to Banningwood Preserve across the street. Channel your inner Charles Darwin to discover species both new and familiar to you. Along with the joy and wonder of exploration and identification, you’ll contribute to modern-day biology through citizen science.
We will learn how to identify all types of animals, plants, and insects with an emphasis on amphibians, reptiles, and spring ephemeral wildflowers, using the iNaturalist app. Then, you may upload your observations to support the Wild Lyme Project and its mission to catalog and compare the biodiversity of preserves protected by the Connecticut town of Lyme, The Nature Conservancy, and the Lyme Land Trust.
All skill levels are welcome, from experienced to those who have never used the iNaturalist app. Participants wishing to record observations should bring a smartphone, camera, or both. Folks preferring to check out the process without installing the app will be of great help to spot plants, animals, and insects as part of a buddy team.
Registration is required and is limited to ten participants. Register: education@lymelandtrust.org to help kickstart our Wild Lyme Project bioblitz team!
Co-sponsored with Lyme Pollinator Pathway and Town of Lyme

Tuesday Trek: Burnham Brook Preserve - Lyme LT
2025-04-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Place: Burnham Brook Preserve
Directions: At the end of Rte. 156, take a right onto Rte. 82, travel 2.7 miles, take left onto Woodbridge Road, travel 1 mile (stay to the right), take left onto Dolbia Hill Rd. Park by Preserve sign along the side of the road.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
About 3 miles, blue trail loop in pristine upland forest with a section along vibrant Burnham Brook plus the new red trail which has beautiful scenic vistas.

Wednesday Walk : Rocky Neck State Park - East Lyme
2025-04-16 10:00 - 13:30 | Rocky Neck State Park, 244 West Main Street, Niantic, CT, 06357, United States
Rocky Neck Park Walk
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill

A beautiful wooded walk along the salt marshes toward the beach on Long Island Sound. Bring binoculars if you have them. 2.5 miles.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot on Rte i56 across from the KOA Campground, 271 Main St (Rte 156), about 0.5 mile east of the intersection with Four Mile River Rd.

Please Reserve. Please email Caitlin Perkins at cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov or call (860)434-1605 ext. 241. Free to all.
