Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Watershed

Pleasant Valley Preserve - Lyme
2025-10-07 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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

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**

Train Trail Hike - East Haddam
2025-10-05 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!

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

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.

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.

Fungal Ecology Walk (Mushrooms) - Lyme
2025-09-27 10:00 - 17:00
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

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

Astronomy Observing Session - Lyme
2025-09-19 19:30 - 21:30
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.

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

Eightmile River Board Special Meeting
2025-09-08 17:00 - 19:00

Musical Bridges - East Haddam
2025-08-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Goodspeed Opra House, 6 Main Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423-0281, United States
You are invited to party with a purpose! Support the East Haddam Land Trust and listen to The Bluesberry Jam Band and friends. Other musicians include Erin and Abe from The Local Honey Project, Anthony V from The Locomotives, Cody Urban, Chas and Kathy Marte, and more…!
EHLT directors will be available to describe their favorite hikes, to explain how you can get involved with us, and to share the many ways protected woods and water contribute to our outstanding quality of life. We will have membership envelopes available in case you want to join our work.

Proceeds from the BBQ and raffle support the purchase of a shed for our tools. Please bring any homegrown or homemade items to put in the raffle.

Family Hike - Lyme
2025-08-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Roaring Brook, Day Hill Road, Lyme, CT, 06371, United States
Join Tori Harris and family on a walk to the refreshing waters of Roaring Brook where you may get your feet wet. Map of Roaring Brook Preserve.
These hikes are 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.

Astronomy Observing Session - Lyme
2025-08-22 20:30 - 22:30
Date could shift based on weather.
Registration Required: See event web page to register https://www.lymelandtrust.org/eventshow/august-22-2025-astronomy-observing-session/
Once you register, you will receive directions to the observation site.
In the northwest, we can look for the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51 (pictured). In the south we still see the Milky Way stretching out overhead. In the east, Cassiopeia begins to peek up above the tree line. 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.

Stewardship - East Haddam
2025-08-16 09:15 - 12:00 | Mangano-Mazzella Farm Preserve, Honey Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Work will involve cutting of Tree of Heaven saplings in the meadows at Mangano-Mazzella Farm Preserve. Park at the Saunders Preserve on Honey Hill Road. Arrive at 9:15 am for coffee and donuts.

Snakes and Turtles - East Haddam
2025-08-14 14:00 - 15:00 | East Haddam Historical Society, 264 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Ranger Russ’s Special Friends – An introduction to snakes and turtles in a very comfortable way. Dispels myths and helps children to understand and not fear these unique animals. Meigs Point Nature Center will bring live animals to the museum.
Sponsored by the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed.

Seniors Hike - Airline Trail
2025-08-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Airline Trail, Rt. 85, Colchester, CT, 06415, United States
Walk the Airline Trail, Rt.85, Amston.
Join the Salem Senior Striders on the second Wednesday of the month for about a 3 mile hike.
Hikes start at 10:00 AM on the second Wednesday of the month.
Suggestions: Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes along with socks. Bring; water, snacks, insect repellent, sun
screen, and a walking stick or trekking poles.
If you have any questions: text or call Heidi Buchholtz at 860-917-6720

The POOP MUSEUM - East Haddam
2025-08-11 11:00 - 14:00 | East Haddam Historical Society, 264 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Susie Maguire aka the Poop Lady will bring the Poop Museum to the East Haddam Historical Society Museum. She covers the serious science of poop and pooping and it is delivered with the silliness that you might imagine accompanying a program about poop. During the program she covers many kinds of animal and insect poops but will also talk about human poop.

Full Moon Paddle - Moodus
2025-08-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Upper Moodus Reservoir Boat Launch, East Haddam - Colchester Turnpike, East Haddam, CT, United States
The 486 acres of the Upper Moodus Reservoir are ideal for watching the moonrise on a clear, summer night. We will launch at 7:30 pm from the Upper Moodus Reservoir boat launch on Launching Area Road. Moonrise that night begins at about 8:30 pm. Please dress for the temperature and consider having insect repellent. Water, binoculars and a camera are suggested. Personal flotation devices are required, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Around the Pond - East Haddam
2025-08-06 15:00 - 16:00 | East Haddam Free Public Library, 18 Plains Road, Moodus, CT, 06469, United States
Come explore outdoor spaces through an interactive life-size game presented by our friends from the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)! Collect natural objects while answering questions, and use them to upcycle a t-shirt into a wearable nature notebook. Participants are encouraged to bring their own shirts, but the library will have some available on a first come, first serve basis. Registration Required. Recommended for ages 6-13.
Go to event web site to register: https://easthaddamlibrarysystem.org/event/14825/

Around the Pond - East Haddam
2025-08-06 15:00 - 16:00 | East Haddam Free Public Library, 18 Plains Road, Moodus, CT, 06469, United States
Come explore outdoor spaces through an interactive life-size game presented by our friends from the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)! Collect natural objects while answering questions, and use them to upcycle a t-shirt into a wearable nature notebook. Participants are encouraged to bring their own shirts, but the library will have some available on a first come, first serve basis. Recommended for ages 6-13.
Registration Required at event Web site : https://easthaddamlibrarysystem.org/event/14825/

Sharks! - East Haddam
2025-07-29 14:00 - 15:00 | East Haddam Historical Society, 264 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Mystic Aquarium Presents Sharks!

July 29 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Sharks are in trouble. Of the roughly 375 shark species, 66 are threatened or endangered, mostly due to overhunting and the effects of pollution. In this presentation guests will learn about the fascinating shark species, the challenges they must overcome for survival, and the conservation efforts underway to protect them. No registration required.
Sponsored by the Friends Groups of the East Haddam Library System

Eightmile River Board Meeting
2025-07-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Eightmile River Office, 2 Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States

Birds of Prey - East Haddam
2025-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Devil’s Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
Organization: Eightmile River Watershed

Bring a chair or blanket and explore the world of raptors with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilition! Learn about adaptions and challenges facing birds of prey and observe rehabilitated birds in a structured setting.
We meet near the covered bridge — keep an eye out for Eightmile River Watershed signs! All programs are FREE and open to the public! No reservation needed. Rain cancels.
Birds of Prey is part of the Eightmile River Watershed’s Programs in the Park Summer Series! Join us on Saturday, July 12th for Rocks & Minerals and Saturday, July 19th for River Exploration. Check our Facebook and website for more information. Same time! Same Place! (Devil’s Hopyard State Park, 10am).
Questions? Email info@eightmileriver.org or message us on our socials

Children's Dragonfly Investigation - Lyme
2025-07-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Lyme Public Library, 482 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT, 06371-3110, United States
Join Ann Courcy from the Steward Outdoor Day School in this fun and hands-on STEAM experience.
Children ages 5-10 will learn all about dragonflies and create a detailed drawing.
Registration required on the event website https://www.lymepl.org/event/childrens-dragonfly-investigation-with-ann-courcy-of-the-steward-outdoor-day-school/

Family Trail Time - Gillette Castle
2025-07-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT, 06423, United States
Place: Gillette Castle, Ferry Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: vharris1391@gmail.com
Presenter: Tori Harris
Meet at the Hadlyme Ferry Parking lot on Ferry Rd, Lyme (not Old Lyme) We will begin the walk along the CT River. There is a gentle inclined pathway to get up to the Castle to see the beautiful view. We may get our feet wet.
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.

Programs in the Park: River Exploration - East Haddam
2025-07-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Devil’s Hopyard State Park, East Haddam
Organization: Eightmile River Watershed

Come explore and discover what lives in and around the Eightmile River. Bring your nets, water shoes & curiosity. Let’s see what we catch!
We meet near the covered bridge — keep an eye out for Eightmile River Watershed signs! All programs are FREE and open to the public! No reservation needed. Rain cancels.
River Exploration is part of the Eightmile River Watershed’s Programs in the Park Summer Series! Join us on Saturday, July 12th for Rocks & Minerals and Saturday, July 26th for Birds of Prey. Check our Facebook and website for more information. Same time! Same Place! (Devil’s Hopyard State Park, 10am).
Questions? Email info@eightmileriver.org or message us on our socials.

Astronomy Observing Session
2025-07-18 21:00 - 23:00
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

Butterflies of Connecticut - Salem
2025-07-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Salem Free Public Library, 264 Hartford Road, Salem, CT, 06420, United States

Geology and the Long Island Sound - Hadlyme
2025-07-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Hadlyme Public Hall, 63 Ferry Road, Hadlyme, CT, 06439, United States
A 30-million year old stream cut lowland that became a glacial lake and is now a major estuary.
On Sunday July 13th from 3-4:30 pm Geologist Ralph Lewis will discuss the geological transformation of one of the best known estuaries on the eastern seaboard.
