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Making connections is key to smart land conservation.

Update: East Haddam Land Trust has one pending land acquisition that will connect existing conserved properties to create a larger greenway for wildlife and allow for extended public hiking and increased opportunities for connecting with nature. Click below to learn more.

Learn more about our Conservation Connections Campaign

Outings

& Events

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans on hikes on our preserves.

Visit the 'Our Preserves' page
for info on each preserve with trails or use our Interactive Trail Map. Use the contact link at the bottom of this page to report trail issues.

Counting steps as part of your exercise routine?
Preserve-like terrain averages about 2080 steps per mile. The length of each trail is listed on the printed maps for each preserve available at the trailheads and downloadable from the interactive trail map and on each preserve webpage.

Color Blind Trailblazing
The blue & red trails at our Miller Farm Preserve are now blazed with a white "B" for blue and "R" for red to help colorblind hikers follow the trails more easily.
Please share your impression of this change by emailing trail.monitor@ehlt.org.

Hunting Season
Hunting is not permitted on EHLT preserves but may be permitted in areas adjacent to some EHLT preserves.
Please, for your safety, always wear orange when in the woods during hunting season.

Stay up to date ... subscribe to our weekly emails.

Mother's Day Birding Walk
Sunday, May 11, 8-10 am
Join birding enthusiasts Barbara Pokorny and Doreen Jezek on our walk through the Hill Tree Farm. It’s a perfect way to start Mother's Day with gentle exercise while listening and watching for, and learning about our resident and migrating birds. We suggest bringing binoculars. Park at the Ballahack Road entrance.

Words from the Woods Book Circle
Monday, May 19, 1:30-3 pm
Join this book circle collaboration between EHLT and the East Haddam Library System for lively discussions on the book of the month. For this gathering we will read and discuss, The Serviceberry, Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Check the Rathbun Library for copies of the book.
We meet at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 31 Main Street, East Haddam.

You are welcome to join the discussion even if you haven't read
or finished reading the book.

No Woods Walk this May
The last Sunday of May falls on Memorial Day Weekend. We invite all of you to enjoy your holiday weekend and encourage you to join one of the CT Trails Day events in East Haddam on the first weekend of June.

Annual Meeting Notice
Saturday, June 14, 4-6 pm
East Haddam Land Trust's annual meeting will be held at the Goodwin House pavilion at Burnham Brook Preserve, 2 E. Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, the location of EHLT's office. Current members - those who joined or renewed their membership during the 2025 membership campaign which began in November 2024 - will hear updates from our current directors and officers, elect three volunteers to the board of directors, and have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas on how to make EHLT better. Light refreshments and finger foods will be provided. Watch for the RSVP link next week.

Check back here and on our Facebook page for event postponements, cancellations, or updates.

Check 'Our Preserves' for info on each preserve with trails or use our Interactive Trail Map.

Use the contact link at the bottom of this page to report trail issues.

Visit a

Preserve

The East Haddam Interactive Trail Map provides trail, parking, and general information for trails maintained by East Haddam Land Trust, the Town of East Haddam, and The Nature Conservancy.

Find printed preserve trail maps at East Haddam's Municipal Office Complex.

We also have preserves and easements without trails where access is not practical or landowners maintain the use of the property.

Please note, hunting is not permitted on EHLT preserves, but please wear orange during hunting season as a safety precaution.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans on hikes on our preserves.

We currently protect 900+ acres of land in preserves and through property easements. Many of our preserves have marked hiking trails open to the public.

Enjoy hiking at East Haddam Land Trust preserves with trails. Use our Interactive Trail Map on your mobile and desktop devices for information on East Haddam Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Town of East Haddam trails. Leashed dogs may accompany hikers on East Haddam Land Trust trails. Find downloadable trail maps on each preserve page:

East Haddam Land Trust preserves with historic sites:

Town of East Haddam and Nature Conservancy open-space with trails :

Come join us for some music this Friday!

A blooming serviceberry, a pollinating bee, and singing birds ... a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day. #earthday2025 #easthaddamlandtrust #loveyourctlandtrust

This Earth Day, let’s celebrate the unseen forces that keep our planet thriving! Whether it’s protecting pollinators, reducing chemical use, or supporting biodiversity, small actions can make a big impact. How will you help nature’s hidden helpers?

Did you know that a single teaspoon of healthy soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth? Soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a bustling ecosystem that supports life above and below ground!
Source: Deteriorating soil health: ‘A teaspoon of soil contains more life than there are humans on earth’

Lichens are made up of a fungus and an alga or a bacterium. The fungus strands spread over the surface providing a bed. The alga or bacterium nestles inside these strands and uses the sun’s energy to assemble sugar and other nutritious molecules. Together these pairs form lichen.
Lichens cover nearly 10% of the land’s surface, especially in the treeless far north, where winter reigns for most of the year. Lichen color depends on the types of fungi, algae, or bacteria involved. Blue or purple lichens contain blue-green bacteria. Green lichens contain algae. The fungi add yellow or silver pigments to the color mix.
Source: The Forest Unseen, A Year’s Watch in Nature, by David George Haskell

Mosses are the most simple of plants. The some 22,000 species of moss worldwide have no roots, flowers, fruits, or seeds. They are simply leaves and stems, each a unique creation designed for success. Each leaf is shaped to capture water. With no roots, they survive at the mercy of rainfall, but most are immune to death by drying. They may lose up to 98% of their moisture only to rejuvenate when it rains. Moss leaves only exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide when wet. Mosses are very sensitive to air pollution from vehicle exhaust and industry.
Source: Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Algae produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe! Found in oceans, rivers, and even tree bark, these microscopic organisms are crucial to balancing Earth’s ecosystems.
Source: How much oxygen comes from the ocean?

Did you know that billions of bacteria, fungi, and microscopic organisms live in the soil beneath our feet? These hidden heroes break down organic matter, cycle nutrients, and help plants grow strong!

Follow along this Earth Week as EHLT uncovers the world of algae, fungi, and other tiny organisms that help our outdoor spaces thrive!

Tons of fun events this month. Join us on a walk or if that doesn’t work for you, for a book club or music circle.

The nearly spring sounds of Golet Farm Preserve ... peepers, wood frogs, and singing birds.
#goletfarmpreserve #easthaddamlandtrust #march2025

Wood frogs are calling!
#millerfarmpreserve #woodfrogs#easthaddamlandtrust #winter-springshoulderseason

Another fun event this Spring in East Haddam

This month join us for some wonderful events.

Today's hikers at Miller Farm Preserve. A beautiful, sunny afternoon, above-freezing temperatures, and good conversations made it extra special! #easthaddamlandtrust #millerfarmpreserve #loveyourctlandtrust

An important ALPS legislative action alert update! We are asking for advocacy at a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2025 (details below.)
Issue: The Governor’s proposed Bond Package (SB
1247) for the next two years does not include new bond authorizations for the Open Space and Watershed Acquisition (OSWA) grant despite DEEP’s request for $10 million per year. The justification for withholding new bond authorizations is likely based on an existing balance of $42 million in authorized but unallocated bonding. However, after accounting for awarded and pending grants, the available balance will likely not be enough to fully fund the next two grant rounds, especially as demand for OSWA and UGCG continues to rise.
Please Take Action: Please submit testimony by Tuesday, February 25 at 3:00 PM to advocate for the following key requests:
SB 1247 - AN ACT AUTHORIZING AND ADJUSTING BONDS OF THE STATE. Ask the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee to include $10 million per year in bond authorizations for the Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA), which includes the Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program (UGCG) in the new Biennial Budget to ensure consistent and full funding to meet the program’s growing demand.
Public Hearing Information:
• Date & Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM
• Location: Room 2E of the LOB and via Zoom

The EHLT estimates that 382.1 of our 747.36 acres in preserves open to the public have been conserved using
OSWA grants. Help us secure this funding so we can preserve more land in perpetuity for the public benefit. Thank you!

Nice winter hike at Hill Tree Farm, a new EHLT Preserve with easy trails and benches to sit a bit to observe wildlife or just take in the surroundings. Visit www.ehlt.org to learn more.
#easthaddamlandtrust #hilltreefarm #winterhiking

Thank you to everyone who came to the January Thaw event this past weekend. It was a magical evening filled with wonderful drinks, food, laughter and community. Hope to see you next year at the event!

Warm Your Spirits with Botanical Sips and Natural Wine, a unique community fundraiser benefiting East Haddam Land Trust and the River Valley Personal Care Products Project, a group that provides essential hygiene items to our neighbors.
Join us at Ballek’s Garden Center to escape the winter chill in the warm greenhouses while indulging in a variety of handcrafted cocktails (or mocktails) made with fresh botanical ingredients, craft beers, natural wines and locally sourced canapés. Tickets are $50 and include drinks and food and a complimentary East Haddam Land Trust Membership. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a fun night out, this event is perfect for everyone! Purchase tickets on our website at ehlt.org.

Lots of fun events in January from hikes to books clubs and gatherings. We hope you can make it to one, some or all our events!

Come join the East Haddam Land Trust and River Valley Personal Care Products Program for a magical, warm night in the middle of winter at Ballek’s Garden Center. Cocktails (or mocktails), small canapés, and a yearlong membership to the EHLT are included in the price is a ticket. Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/january-thaw-warm-your-spirits-with-botanical-sips-and-natural-wine-tickets-1105576772889?aff=oddtdtcreator

A healthy bobcat crossing a new footbridge at East Haddam Land Trust's new Preserve, Mangano-Mazzella Farm (aka Honey Hill Farm). #easthaddamlandtrust #bobcat

Today's hike at Saunders Preserve, a place filled with geologic interest. The Honey Hill fault runs through the Preserve, trees and rock outcroppings intertwine, one can see the folding of rock caused by intense heat from ages past, and we were closely watched by a resident owl. #easthaddamlandtrust #saunderspreserve #geologyofct

This #Giving Tuesday help us conserve East Haddam’s natural wonders. Any amount helps. Visit www.ehlt.org/join.

Please consider donating to EHLT this giving season!!!

Beautiful day for a hike! About a dozen folks joined us at Hatch Lot Preserve today. #easthaddamlandtrust #takeahike

Salmon Cove Preserve ... visit it to enjoy the views of the Salmon River Cove off of Cove Road, East Haddam. No trails, but a lovely view even if you don't get out of your vehicle. #easthaddamlandtrust #salmoncovepreserve #loveyourlandtrust

An enjoyable hike at the Moodus Forest on Sunday 10/13/24 with the added bonus of finding two bells!

Shaky cell phone photos of the northern lights in East Haddam. #northernlights

October is here! Enjoy the crisp fall days and beautiful foliage with the EHLT on our walks and/or paddles!! 🍁 🍂

From today's hike, There's Life in that Deadwood, at Sheepskin Hollow Preserve. Slow down, observe, and be curious about how nature constantly changes, feeds itself, dies, and generates new life. #easthaddamlandtrust #lifeindeadwood #sheepskinhollowpreserve #fungi

Updates to our September events. Our stargazing event this month and all future stargazing events have been cancelled. However, we still hope to see you on our trails and at our paddles this fall.

September is chockfull of fun events from hikes to paddles, stargazing and stewardship.

EXCITING NEWS! A 20 x 30 pavilion was constructed by Barnraisers, an East Haddam based business, on Burnham Brook Preserve. It was funded by The Nature Conservancy and built with volunteers from East Haddam Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy and the 8 Mile River Wild and Scenic coordinating committee. We hope to have many events here in the future and see you at them!

A sampling of the fungi seen at William Jezek Preserve yesterday. Fungi abound in the woods right now. Take photos of those you see and post them to iNaturalist to help with identification. You will benefit from your hike, iNaturalist's scientists will benefit from your observations, and you might learn more about the wonders of our natural world. #easthaddamlandtrust #funfungi #iNaturalist #loveyourctlandtrust

Bluesberry Jam Band is still playing at Musical Bridges in East Haddam!

A double rainbow and the music is still playing at Musical Bridges, Goodspeed lawn in East Haddam.

Tomorrow!!! Please join us tomorrow for Musical Bridges on the goodspeed lawn! If you would like. please bring items for the raffle!

Don’t forget about musical bridges 🎶 on August 12th with a rain date of August 13th from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Come listen to music, eat great food and join our homegrown, home made raffle! If you’d like to donate to the raffle, bring your items to the event! See you then!

One of EHLT’s big events is coming up! Come listen to music, have good food and try your luck in our homegrown, homemade raffle!

So many fun events this month! Hope to see you on the trails or in the water before the summer is over!

Some of nature's wonders spotted at Miller Farm Preserve today. #millerfarmpreserve #easthaddamlandtrust #natureisawesome

Looking for something fun to do this 4th of July weekend? Check out Sheepskin Hollow Preserve! Accessible via Sheepskin Hollow Road, Ridgebury Road, or Woodmont Circle, Sheepskin Hollow boasts many beautiful trails along marshland and waterfalls.
Visit ehlt.org for more information

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We welcome curiosity and will reply to your questions as promptly as possible.

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Contact Us

Mail:

East Haddam Land Trust

P.O. Box 122

East Haddam, CT 06423

Email:

info@ehlt.org

Phone:

(860) 484-3458

Contact Us

Making connections is key to smart land conservation.

Update: East Haddam Land Trust has one pending land acquisition that will connect existing conserved properties to create a larger greenway for wildlife and allow for extended public hiking and increased opportunities for connecting with nature. Click below to learn more.

Outings

& Events

Visit a

Preserve

We currently protect 900+ acres of land in preserves and through property easements. Many of our preserves have marked hiking trails open to the public.

​

Follow us on Instagram

Contact

Us

Message Us

Contact Us

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