Category Archives: Outdoors

Lyme Land Trust Earns National Recognition

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The beautiful Banningwood Preserve is protected and managed by the Lyme Land Trust.

LYME — The Lyme Land Trust has been protecting open space in Lyme since 1966. In August 2020, the Land Trust was awarded renewal of accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

This distinguished award signifies that the Lyme Land Trust has demonstrated, as part of a network of over 400 accredited land trusts, that it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.

The Lyme Land Trust first earned accreditation in December 2014, after being carefully vetted and certified to meet the highest standards of excellence. The granting of renewal affirms the Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to permanent protection of its conserved lands.

Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Lyme Land Trust protects more than 3,124 acres. For public access, it hosts more than 13 miles of trails on 651 acres. In addition, the trust manages over 70 private conservation easements. Popular preserves like Banningwood and Brockway-Hawthorne will be protected forever, making Lyme a great place for lovers of open space.

For more information and for trail maps of all the Lyme Land Trust Preserves, visit lymelandtrust.org.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts.

For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

Bat Tests Positive for Rabies in Lyme

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Photo by James Wainscoat on Unsplash.

LYME — Ledge Light Health Department (LLHD) has reported that a bat from the area of Hamburg Rd. in Lyme was tested and found to be positive for rabies on Sept. 4.

The health department urges the public to refrain from feeding or approaching any wild or stray animals.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people.  It is spread mostly by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs may also become infected and spread the virus.

The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals.  Rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.)

If you have any questions or concerns, contact LLHD at 860-448-4882 or Lyme Town Hall at 860-434-7733.

Watch Rock Preserve in Old Lyme Closed Weekends Through Labor Day Due to Environmental, Safety Violations

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A hazy view across the Connecticut River taken from the Elizabeth B. Carter Watch Rock Preserve. Photo by Edie Twining.

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Land Trust (OLLT) Board of Trustees has announced that the Elizabeth B. Carter Watch Rock Preserve in Old Lyme will be closed to all visitors from 7:30 p.m. on each Friday until 8 a.m. the following Monday from June through August. On Labor Day weekend, it will remain closed until 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

These closures are to address continued preserve use violations, which damage the environment and pose safety concerns.

The board states in a press release, “This decision to limit access to Watch Rock has been a difficult one. We recognize that the beautiful Watch Rock setting has long provided significant enjoyment for many visitors who abide by the posted rules.”

A view looking south down the Connecticut River with the Elizabeth B. Carter Watch Rock Preserve on the left shore. Photo by Edie Twining.

The release continues, “However, increasingly frequent and serious incidents of littering, OLLT signage vandalism, theft of newly planted native shrubs, open campfires, and late evening loitering have necessitated visitor access restrictions during the weekend periods when most of these issues occur.”

Noting, “This situation will be closely monitored, including by the police,” the board adds,  The effectiveness of the summer weekend closures will be evaluated to determine if additional steps are needed to prevent misuse and harm to this conservation land.”

In closing, the board says, “We are grateful for the continued understanding and support of all visitors, especially our members.”

Environmental Grants Available from The Rockfall Foundation, Info Session Slated for Sept. 10

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MIDDLETOWN/LYME/OLD LYME – The Rockfall Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2021 Annual Environmental Grants Program, available to non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools. The Environmental Grants are for projects and programs that support the environment through conservation, preservation, restoration or education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, which includes Lyme and Old Lyme along with Middlesex County.

“Through all the challenges this year, The Rockfall Foundation remains committed to supporting community projects,” said Amanda Kenyon, Grants and Communications Coordinator. She added, “It’s been a hard year for many organizations, and we’re adapting our grants process to acknowledge that. We want to ensure a sustainable future.”

All interested applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual information session on Sept. 10. An RSVP to amanda@rockfallfoundation.org is required to attend this event in order to receive the video conference link. Applications are due by Nov. 10.

The Rockfall Foundation supports environmental education and conservation in the Lower Connecticut River Valley through public programs and grants. Founded in 1935, the Foundation is celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2020. As one of Connecticut’s oldest environmental organizations, it continues its mission set by founding philanthropist Colonel Clarence S. Wadsworth.

The Rockfall Foundation has awarded over a half million dollars since the inception of its grant program in 1972. The Rockfall Foundation also operates the historic deKoven House Community Center located at 27 Washington St., Middletown, that offers meeting and event room rentals and office space for non-profit organizations.

Editor’s Notes: i) For further information about The Rockfall Foundation grants, visit www.rockfallfoundation.org/grants.

ii) For further information about The Rockfall Foundation, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rockfallfoundation.org or call 860-347-0340.

Lyme Land Trust Postpones ‘Tour de Lyme’ until May 2021

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No ‘Tour de Lyme’ in 2020, but riders can take to the roads again on May 23, 2021.

LYME — The Lyme Land Conservation Trust is postponing the Tour de Lyme from its currently scheduled date of Sept. 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 23, 2021. This is the second time the Tour has had to be postponed this year, both times due to the impact of the Coronavirus.

In an email sent to riders who had already registered to ride, along with sponsors and supporters of the event, Kristina White, Executive Director of the Trust, explains the difficult decision saying, “Due to the extreme uncertainty we are presently facing with the Coronavirus, we sadly must move the Tour de Lyme.”

She continues, “We have been ever optimistic that we could hold the event this year, but the safety of our many participants is our most important concern, and guidance we have received from state and local authorities makes it clear that we should not hold the event under current and expected circumstances.”

Noting, “We will keep our registration site, tourdelyme.org, live until May 21, 2021,” she says registrations for those who had already signed up will be maintained , but if necessary, refunds can be requested.

She concludes positively, “We intend to host another great event next year with great food, drink, music and of course great riding routes in Lyme!”