Eightmile River Board Special Meeting
2025-09-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | CT

Forestry for the Birds: Young Forest Project Presentation - Lyme
2025-09-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Come and learn about the biodiversity supported by Young Forests. This program is co-led by Connecticut Audubon Society’s Conservation and Education Coordinator Joe Attwater and Lyme Land Trust’s Environmental Director Jim Arrigoni, and is made possible with the support of the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology Land Trust Grants Program.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Astronomy Observing Session - Lyme
2025-09-19 19:30 - 21:30 | CT
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER: If the weather goes against us, we will move the event to the closest clear night and notify you.
We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory. Inside the observatory, views are afforded at the eyepiece and via real-time digital enhancement. Public sessions are co-facilitated by one or more of our growing cadre of astronomy cohorts: Mark Borton, Roger Charbonneau Jr, Jon Dean, Jay Drew, Deb Fennell, Scott Mallory, John Natale, Lee Polikoff, Parag Sahasrabudhe, Mark Strollo, Jerry Tardif and Alan Sheiness.
Young or old, experienced or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. And if you have a telescope, we encourage you to bring it out. The more, the merrier. Just follow the guidelines in the pdf you receive when you RSVP.
PLEASE NOTE: Registration is requited. See event website to register https://www.lymelandtrust.org/eventshow/september-19-2025-astronomy-observing-session/
Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines. Bear in mind, observing sessions involve walking in the dark on uneven terrain.

Stargazing - Salem
2025-09-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Salem Pavillion, 89 Norwich Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States

Fungal Ecology Walk (Mushrooms) - Lyme
2025-09-27 10:00 - 17:00 | CT
Join us for this fascinating walk with naturalist and mycologist Bill Yule, to walk, talk, and discover mushrooms. Bill will explain about forest and watershed ecology and all things fungal.
If you wish, bring mushrooms from home for identification after the walk.
On the walk, we will discuss how you can upload your observations to support the Wild Lyme Project and its mission to catalog and compare the biodiversity of preserves protected by the Town of Lyme, The Nature Conservancy, and the Lyme Land Trust. Participants wishing to record observations to iNat should bring a smartphone, camera, or both. All skill levels are welcome, from experienced to those who have never used the iNaturalist app.
Space is limited. Register: education@lymelandtrust.org

Woodland Wander - East Haddam
2025-09-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Golet Farm Preserve, Great Hillwod Road, Moodus, CT, 06469, United States
This will be the first of our relaxed-paced hikes for those who like casual wanders through the woods. There will be time to explore aspects of our natural world that are often missed during the brisk-paced hikes. Meet at Golet Farm Preserve, on Great Hillwood Road in the Moodus section of East Haddam. Leashed dogs are welcome to hike with their owners. Bring light snacks to share along with EHLT refreshments for an after hike tailgate.
Directions:
From Route 82 take Route 151
north toward Moodus Center.
Take a right onto Route 149.
Take the first right after the Post Office onto Great Hillwood Road.
The dirt driveway to the preserve is on your right, across from the Senior Center.

Building Resilient Landscapes - Lyme
2025-09-28 16:00 - 17:30 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Join Lyme Pollinator Pathway for this program at the Lyme Public Hall with horticulturist Tom Christopher, who will discuss the importance of protecting, creating and maintaining climate resilient habitat in our backyard as well as in preserved open spaces, to ensure that all of the land that drains into the Eightmile River watershed is healthy and supports life. Tom Christopher is host of the podcast Growing Greener, as well as an author/collaborator for several books and columns about improving the environment with native plant restoration.
https://www.thomaschristophergardens.com/
Co-sponsored by Lyme Pollinator Pathway and Pollinator Pathway East Lyme.

Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve Hike - Lyme
2025-09-30 09:00 - 11:00 | Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve, Brush Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Mixed deciduous and conifer forests blanket this gently rolling landscape featuring vernal pools and Whalebone Creek. Gentle-to-moderate 2.5 mile walk.
Meet at the parking lot off of Brush Hill Road.
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Train Trail Hike - East Haddam
2025-10-05 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-10-12 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-10-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Join us on a guided hike of the route followed by William Gillette’s narrow-gauge train. Gillette’s train system runs through very scenic areas of the 122 acre state park, with numerous historic features along the way. The hike is a about an hour and fifteen minutes, and is a gentle and flat trail with a couple of brief scrambles.
Sturdy shoes and proper clothing is recommended. To ensure the comfort of all hikers, please leave your pets at home, or take a walk without a trail guide (leashed dogs are allowed at the park). We will meet at Grand Central Station (the covered picnic area near the archway along the path to the Castle). We hope to see vou there!
Cancelled if the weather is bad.
Let us know you’re coming!

Eightmile River Board Meeting
2025-10-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Eightmile River Office, 2 Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
*Rescheduled from Sept 22**

Pleasant Valley Preserve - Lyme
2025-10-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Pleasant Valley Preserve, MacIntosh Rd, Lyme, CT, 06439, United States
We are going to explore the trails of the Pleasant Valley Preserve. Pleasant Valley has it all, rivers, streams, fields, forests, hills, deciduous trees, evergreen trees, etc. There are many options for hike length but I want to aim for a 2 or 2.5 mile round trip. We will meet at the parking area on MacIntosh Rd.
Register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com

Rocky Neck Beach Walk - Niantic
2025-10-08 09:30 - 11:30 | Rocky Neck State Park, 244 West Main Street, Niantic, CT, 06357, United States
A beautiful wooded walk along the salt marshes toward the beach on Long Island Sound. Bring binoculars if you have them. 2 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.
Contact: hillwendyb@gmail.com

Goodwin Trail Challenge - East Haddam, Lyme, Salem, East Lyme
2025-10-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Franklin Academy, 140 River Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
The new Goodwin Trail Mountain Bike Challenge is a unique 45-mile adventure loop that utilizes the most interesting and challenging public preserves in East Haddam, Salem, Lyme, and East Lyme, Connecticut. The most iconic portion of this loop is the Goodwin Trail. This is a unique, 13.5 mile linear trail that winds its way through preserved lands owned by local land trusts, municipalities, the Yale School of Forestry, and Nehantic State Park.
Ride begins at the Franklin Academy, 140 River Road, East Haddam. Parking, restrooms, and rider meetings at Franklin, then we will complete a challenging and scenic 45 mile loop traversing as-much-trail as possible . You will be very happy to see Franklin Academy upon the completion of the loop… we promise!
A mountain bike with sturdy tires and low gearing is recommended.
The course is unmarked, so a navigation device will be required. GPX route will be emailed to registrants the Thursday before the event.
Registration is required, please register on https://www.bikereg.com/the-goodwin-trail-challenge-cycle

This event is a fundraiser to support East Haddam Land Trust. Donations appreciated.

Jewett & Pleasant Valley Preserve - Lyme
2025-10-14 09:30 - 11:30 | Mt Archer Woods, Mt Archer Rd, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
We will walk a moderately easy loop of about 2.5 miles, passing through the Tom Bischoff Meadow and through beautiful wooded sections with interesting natural and man made rock structures, beginning at the MT Archer Parking Lot, Mt Archer Rd.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Expressive Nature Journaling - East Haddam
2025-10-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Rathbun Library, 36 Main Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Join East Haddam Land Trust and the East Haddam Library System in welcoming Nancy DeNicolo as she invites us to deepen our experience of nature, all around us. Nancy is an artist, maker and creative arts counselor; with her gentle direction learn to bring a spirit of ease to expressing your relationship with great nature. More information about Nancy DeNicolo can be found at nancydenicolo.com.
This free event is for adults and limited to 15 attendees.
Register on the event web page.

Astronomy Observing Session - Lyme
2025-10-17 18:30 - 20:30 | CT
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER– The Milky Way arches from SW to NE, almost straight up, as darkness falls. Saturn rises higher and higher in the east after its long absence from our night sky. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event to the closest clear night and notify you.
Register using the GOING button on the web site.
PLEASE NOTE:
Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines. Please see event web site for full information.
For questions or comments, please contact us at astronomy@lymelandtrust.org.

Eightmile RiverFest - East Haddam
2025-10-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Devil’s Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
Join the Eightmile River Watershed for Eightmile RiverFest, Saturday, October 18th from 1-4pm at Devil’s Hopyard State Park. This FREE event is a celebration of the Wild & Scenic Eightmile River and the local conservation-focused organizations. Attendees can enjoy bluegrass music from the Homer Mountain Boys along with free cookies, soup and cider from the Moodus Sportsman Club and the Eightmile River Watershed Committee. Exhibitors range from local land trusts to wildlife rehabilitators to state organizations and offer a variety of information, demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

Join us for FREE:– Bluegrass Music by The Hosmer Mountain Boys– Soup/chowder by the Moodus Sportsman Club– Cookies and cider by the Eightmile River Committee– Nature Drawing with Salem ArtSpace– Live opossums with Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue– History walks to Chapman Falls– Information, demonstration and activities with local conservation organizations!

Severe weather cancels. See our Facebook page for updates.

Youth Conservationists - Lyme
2025-10-19 13:00 - 15:30 | CT
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 since 2018. The group meets on one Sunday a month early fall through June. Each month there will be a different topic and hike in a selected preserve. You do not have to be a Lyme resident to join.

Explore the woods. Learn about nature and the importance of biodiversity
Guest speakers/guides
Field trips
Get help with special reports/research projects.
Trail work includes maintaining trails, blazing new trails, and other work to enhance the preserves.
Tools provided.

Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.

Words from the Woods Book Circle - East Haddam
2025-10-20 13:30 - 15:30 | St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 31 Main Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Join this nature focused book circle from the East Haddam Land Trust and East Haddam Library System to soak in the writings of natural scientists who expand and deepen our awareness of the ecologies of life. By reading about the seen and unseen relationships of the wood-web, our experiences of forests, waterways, and meadows of East Haddam will be enriched. All are welcome. Copies of the books may be borrowed through the East Haddam Library System.

Johnston Preserve Hike - Lyme
2025-10-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Johnston Preserve, RT 82 (South side), Lyme, CT, 06439, United States
Moderate 2.5-mile walk through dramatic bedrock outcrops and mature forest. We’ll pause at the highest point in Lyme to enjoy the fall foliage which offers many clues to aid tree identification. Meet at the parking lot on Route 82
Register: jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org

Bats - Salem
2025-10-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Salem Free Public Library, 264 Hartford Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States
Join us as Ginny Apple, Master Wildlife Conservationist with CT DEEP, discusses the economic value of bats, their migration and hibernation patterns, decline and disease as well as steps the public can take to help ensure the health and safety of our bat populations.
Registration is required. Call 860-859-1130 to register.

Plimpton Preserve Hike - Lyme
2025-10-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Plimpton Preserve, Sterling City Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
This will be a moderate 1.75 mile hike right in the center of Lyme. There are some significant elevation changes especially at the start and end of the hike but that effort will be rewarded with a nice lookout half way through our hike. We will meet at the trail entrance with parking along Sterling City Road.
Register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com

Honeyland Film and Honey Tasting - Lyme
2025-11-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd (Rte 156), Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
The 2019 documentary film Honeyland was one of the first to compete at the Oscars for both best documentary and best international feature film. It tells the story of Hatidze Muratova, one of Macedonia’s last wild beekeepers, who uses traditional methods, passed down through generations, for harvesting wild honey. We will be screening Honeyland, and also hosting local beekeepers from Lyme, East Lyme, Old Lyme and East Haddam who will bring their local honey for a tasting experience.

Burnham Brook Preserve - East Haddam
2025-11-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Burnham Brook Preserve, Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
About 3 miles, blue trail loop in pristine upland forest with a section along vibrant Burnham Brook plus the red trail which has beautiful scenic vistas.
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.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Selden Creek Preserve Hike: Lyme
2025-11-24 09:30 - 11:30 | Selden Creek Preserve, Joshuatown Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Hike to both overlooks and view the creek in Fall. 2.5 miles. Fairly steep in parts. Meet at the Selden Creek Preserve parking lot on Joshuatown Rd.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Eightmile River Board Meeting
2025-11-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Eightmile River Office, 2 Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States

Hike at Walden Preserve : Salem
2025-11-25 09:30 - 11:30 | Walden Preserve, 119 Hagen Road, Salem, 06420, United States
Tuesday Trek: Walden Preserve

Walk about 2.5 moderately easy miles through a variety of habitats in this 400-acre abandoned farm and quarry. Features include meadows, beaver activity, and an ancient abandoned Pierce Arrow Car.
Directions: Parking area is at 119 Hagen Road. Go east on Rte 82 from Lyme. Take left onto Hagen Road about 3/4 miles past Rte 11 overpass. The parking lot is 1/2 mile on the left.
From Salem Roundabout, go north on Route 85 for 1/2 mile, then take a left onto Hagen Road. The parking lot is about 300 ft on the right.
Register: openspace@townlyme.org

Work and Learn about Invasive Plants : Lyme
2025-11-29 09:00 - 16:00 | Pleasant Valley Preserve, MacIntosh Rd, Lyme, CT, 06439, United States
The war continues! BURN OFF THE TURKEY with vernal pool wetland area restoration. Join or leave any time during the day. Follow the orange flags to the work site. Come join a group of volunteers led by naturalist and habitat restorer Jim Natale.
Learn to identify and remove invasive plants to restore natural areas. Removal of barberry, multiflora rose and other invasives in the vernal pool wetland.
What to bring: Shovels, Water, food, loppers, handsaws, pruners, a backpack, gloves, work shoes, durable clothing, chainsaw or power pruner if you have one.
Jim Natale is owner of Wilder Gardens, LLC, whose mission is to establish a regional community, the Invasive Plant Work Group, to restore native habitat throughout the region. See the Meet-Up Post.
This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Lyme and Lyme Land Trust.
