Outings and Events
We host a variety of fun outings and informative events. Don't miss an event ... sign up for our email notices at the bottom of this page.
Visit our new EHLT Events Calendar to learn of more planned events.
Check out our photos from Instagram below!
Hikes and Paddles
Hikes are scheduled for the second Sunday of September through June and the last Sunday of September through May (except for December); most are easy to moderate in difficulty. During warmer months we schedule paddles on local waters.
Stewardship Work Parties
Our Stewardship Work Parties generally occur on the third Saturday of the month to help with trail and preserve boundary maintenance. There is usually work for all ability levels. Help is greatly appreciated and always needed.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting occurs during the first half of June and reviews the activities of the land trust, elects new board members, conducts other official business, and features interesting speakers and programs.
Special Events
These events vary from year to year; most are open to the public, but some are for members only. We announce all events through email and some specific events, such as the annual meeting, by email and USPS mail.
Stay up to date ...
subscribe to our weekly emails and
check our EHLT Events Calendar
October 1 until all Bells are found
Bells of East Haddam
As of October 1, there are 50 bells hidden along trails in East Haddam Land Trust preserves. If you find one, you may keep it, and please email doreen.jezek@ehlt.org with the number on the underside of the bell and the preserve in which it was found. If you find a second bell, please leave it for another searcher.
If not a current EHLT member, you will get a free one-year membership by emailing your contact information to Doreen.
Want an updated list of preserves, as of 11/4/2026? Find out here.
Monday, November 16, 1:30-3 pm
Words from the Woods Book Circle
Join this discussion of How Flowers Made Our World by David George Haskell. The book circle is a community collaboration between the East Haddam Library System and East Haddam Land Trust (learn more here). Members choose the books to read from September through June, then gather to share their insights and impressions at the meeting room at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Main Street, East Haddam. Copies of each month's reading can be borrowed from the Rathbun Library, Main Street, East Haddam.
Wednesday, November 25,
9:30-11:30 am
Morning Walk with Wendy & Cameron
Wendy Hill, Lyme's Open Space Coordinator and EHLT volunteer Cameron Beard lead these walks to match the group's pace. The Brockway-Hawthorn Preserve has beautiful stone structures, stone walls, and an old abandoned quarry; all offer clues to past human activity. The hike includes a walk along the old abandoned Platt Road to the ancient Selden cemetery. Distance: 2.5 miles. Exertion level: mild to moderate. Bring water and dress appropriately. Bad weather will cancel. Please register at openspace@townlyme.org.
Sunday, November 29, 1-3 pm
Woods Walk
Walk off your Thanksgiving calories with a brisk hike at Machimoodus State Park led by EHLT directors. Meet at the main parking area off of Route 151 in the Moodus section of East Haddam. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks to share for a post-hike tailgate, EHLT will supply refreshments.
For details on EHLT's other upcoming Events,
visit EHLT Events Calendar:
East Haddam and Lyme Land Trusts encourage participation in our individually and jointly sponsored events. Please visit Lyme Land Trust's Events page for more information on their events.
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.
![If you ...
Enjoy our hikes, paddles, and and weekly updates;
Look forward to our special events such as Musical Bridges, January Thaw, Nutmeg 40, Meet the Directors, and educational offerings;
Love searching for Bells of East Haddam on our preserves;
Treasure clear trails for hiking, wandering, birdwatching, an enjoying nature;
Welcome our collaboration with the local community; Grasp the value conserved land brings to the vitality and health of our community, our region, our country, and our planet; Anticipate release of our annual nature photo calendar;
or believe in our mission - to preserve and protect land in perpetuity
for the public interest,
Please join or renew your membership before the end of 2026 [link in comments]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/909496028_1588541079980576_7936843231329320824_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&_nc_map=urlgen_bucketless&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=J_l2JtweGDwQ7kNvwGVTuap&_nc_oc=Adqq6WpOutKpblrewj1k8wb48nEbWzKcsQJ_eLupHYoyZalnnVKFdJuC5wdjXwS-b7U&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=JhAbu3QB4HMxbN1M0QSJ8Q&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQLa2EFERL-JQoCVAM4Tur1GIZBVQIPmjbPkEBu34gEtSxK3EVHEvyDc7sH7o5SbBM5g0P_L9IOd&_nc_ct=RQosPBUKFQIAAAA&oh=00_AQTpxcyp2JQWwUgIRxK5dhJxSr-tio-mqAcj6Edx2mSlWw&oe=6B0030BA)
![Wednesday, November 4, 9:30-11:30am, Morning Walks with Wendy & Cameron
Wendy Hill, Lyme's Open Space Coordinator and EHLT volunteer Cameron Beard lead these walks to match the group's pace. The 250-acre Johnston Preserve has fascinating geologic features, from deep hollows to ridges with dramatic outcroppings and ledges. The white trail gently climbs to breathtaking overlooks. The yellow trail traverses North Woods Hill, the Highest Point in Lyme.. This 3-mile hike has some inclines. Exertion level: moderate.
Bring water and dress appropriately. Bad weather will cancel.
Please register at openspace@townlyme.org.
[photo of a very large Tulip tree in Johnston Preserve]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/865791748_1565355242299160_5605082225899849102_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&_nc_map=urlgen_bucketless&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=g_R4bWJYoMYQ7kNvwGiPHw_&_nc_oc=Adpw63hSfXdwI1W0UaZ5MlMJxHXOidCYgpPGITTKujBO1QE1ItW3wnj4aJ5tpRTNmDY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=JhAbu3QB4HMxbN1M0QSJ8Q&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQL0TzDWeb-9guXfTXn-6E9Z3vGZomDTOo3yg-dKOV1lJWAWm0JskZqnNaZjXLmODsLGTcVVHBxN&_nc_ct=RQosPBUKFQIAAAA&oh=00_AQRgQuGV2OMaleOIxFzKjCuXbfgm4b7rNilxPhQKpvemyQ&oe=6B000ABA)
![Wednesday, November 4, 9:30-11:30am, Morning Walks with Wendy & Cameron
Wendy Hill, Lyme's Open Space Coordinator and EHLT volunteer Cameron Beard lead these walks to match the group's pace. The 250-acre Johnston Preserve has fascinating geologic features, from deep hollows to ridges with dramatic outcroppings and ledges. The white trail gently climbs to breathtaking overlooks. The yellow trail traverses North Woods Hill, the Highest Point in Lyme.. This 3-mile hike has some inclines. Exertion level: moderate.
Bring water and dress appropriately. Bad weather will cancel.
Please register at openspace@townlyme.org.
[photo of a very large Tulip tree in Johnston Preserve]](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/860300615_1565352855632732_4847320871700319233_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=111&_nc_map=urlgen_bucketless&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=iHR63UFq_woQ7kNvwFh__z0&_nc_oc=AdrlHvpOJtow5Nc7uttoMqNLl93enEZ8x7f9lnI4XWg_gWel6VYm57kH2y_zlD3s-ns&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=JhAbu3QB4HMxbN1M0QSJ8Q&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQLlHJEdvWunU7NslJb_jSUhvM_QK6X_sBw3k9vuC5CbfEzzEkRp-SQOVW77BiehLOINrKQ2rDM5&_nc_ct=RQosPBUKFQIAAAA&oh=00_AQSPODmSpJgaKMJi83HAGaY4tRUA72aeSByHYwCaZ0d5rg&oe=6B002E87)
