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.
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; 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.
Goodwin Trail Challenge
NEW DATE - Sunday, October 19
Register by 5 pm Eastern time on October 18
The 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
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.
The new start/end location is Yankee Cider Company, 23 Petticoat Lane, East Haddam, CT, 06423. The updated route will be shared with all registrants.
Learn more and find the registration link on our Goodwin Challenge page.
Eightmile RiverFest
Saturday, October 18, 1-4 pm
Celebrate the Eightmile River at Devil's Hopyard State Park. RiverFest highlights the nature and wildlife of the Eightmile River watershed by bringing together conservation and wildlife groups, great food, and bluegrass music.
It's all FREE and East Haddam Land Trust will be there.
Saturday, October 18, 2-5 pm
Halloween in the Village
Join the Halloween fun in East Haddam Village and check out all the scarecrows, including EHLT's Mother Nature. Vote for your favorite scarecrow following the instructions found near the scarecrows. You can find more event info here.
Words from the Woods Book Circle
Monday, October 20, 1:30 - 3 pm
Join us at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 31 Main Street, East Haddam. This month will each read a book of our choice that explores a deep relationship with animal kindred. Interested in the topic but didn't choose a book, come and offer your own insights on expanding notions of kindred to the more-than-human realm. You are welcome to join to hear the discussion even if you have not read a book. The book circle is a collaboration between East Haddam Land Trust and the East Haddam Library System. You can learn more here.
Woods Walk
Sunday, October 26, 1 - 3 pm
This brisk-paced hike will be led by Steve Dedman through sections of the Johnston Preserve in Lyme. Meet at the preserve parking area on Route 82, 2 miles west of the Rt 82 and Rt 156 intersection. Leashed dogs are welcome to hike with their owners. Bring light snacks to share along with EHLT refreshments for an after-hike tailgate.
Thursday, October 30, 4 pm
Celebrate Fall and Cider!
Please register at education@lymelandtrust.org
Join Lyme Land Trust and East Haddam Land Trust for a walk through the apple orchard and to enjoy the beautiful fall color at Yankee Cider Company property,
23 Petticoat Lane, East Haddam.
After the walk, enjoy a fun social hour in the Yankee Cider Tap Room, which offers delicious New England Style hard ciders made from fruit grown in the orchards.
Yankee Cider will provide a 50% discount for your first drink order and have a variety of cider and wine available for purchase. https://www.yankeeciders.com/
Friday, October 31, 5 - 8 pm
Project Safe Halloween
Bring your costumed kiddos to the East Haddam Municipal Complex, 1 Plains Road, Moodus, for Project Safe Halloween, sponsored by East Haddam Police, Park and Rec, and Youth and Family Services. EHLT will be there; stop to say "Hi."
Bells of East Haddam
Start Searching on October 1
Thirty Bells wetre hidden in East Haddam Land Trust preserves. If you find one, you may keep it. If you are not already a member of East Haddam Land Trust, you will receive a one-year complimentary membership if you send your name, address, phone number and email to
land trust director, Doreen Jezek at doreen.jezek@ehlt.org.
The Bells are tucked away, within about an arm's reach, on various trails at these East Haddam Land Trust preserves: Ballahack, Bloch, Duncan, Golet Farm, Hammond Mill, Hidden Valley, Hill Tree Farm, Mangano-Mazzella (aka Honey Hill), Miller Farm, Monica's Woods, Olde Field, Pegus' Path, Saunders, Sheepskin Hollow, Snell-Talbot, and Walls Way.
If you find a Bell, please take a photo of it and note the number on the bottom, then post your photo on our Facebook or Instagram page.
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.
