Beth Lapin

JUNE NATURE WALK:
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Time: 10:00a.m. (lasts ~1.5 hours)
Location: Ron McCutcheon Park at Crystal Lake.  The hike, walk with some ups and downs, will cover forest, rock overhangs, and meadow areas in the woods west of the lake and include a discussion of Native uses of the area. From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook for 1.5 miles and take fifth right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, turn right into the park at Crystal Lake. Meet towards the left near the original buildings. (GPS address: 250 Livingston Road).

JULY NATURE WALK
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Time: 10:00a.m. (lasts ~1 hours)
Location: Middletown Nature Gardens. This 18-acre parcel contains a flat half-mile loop trail with several side spurs (which could be wet) and a majestic 200-year old sugar maple. We will become familiar with the site, use the area for reflective walking, and then share our experiences.
Directions: from Route 17, turn west on Randolph Road for about 0.3 miles. The part entrance is on the left (between Brown St and Long Hill Rd) (GPS: 1451 Randolph Rd; across the street from 1510).

AUGUST NATURE WALK
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Time: 10:00a.m. (lasts ~1.5 hours)
Location:Mattabesset River Trail: Using a two-mile paved section of the Multi-use Trail system, we will walk along the Mattabesset River.
Directions: Newfield Street to Tuttle Road, then right on to Tuttle Place to cul-de-sac, (GPS: 54Tuttle Place, near Direct Energy Solar)

SEPTEMBER NATURE WALK
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Time: 10:00a.m. (lasts ~1.5 hours)
Location: Spiderweed Preserve. Bring your camera, a great area for birding and views. This is a moderate hike, with a few steep areas. We will investigate a little known 150-acre Middlesex land Trust preserve that was the former summer retreat of a New York actress. We will explore pegmatite outcrops with long-range views and follow colonial stone walls that demark old fields and roadways. at bend in Dripps Road, 500 ft from Saybrook Rd (GPS address: 60 Dripps Rd; sometimes the Dripps Rd sign is missing).

OCTOBER NATURE WALKDay/Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. (lasts ~3.5 hours)Location: Mt. Higby, on Route 66, about a quarter-mile west of the junction with Higby Road (Red Dog Saloon), look for an unmarked driveway on the right (north) with an orange cone that leads to the reservoir leads to the reservoir (this is west of the driveway with mail box #238 Route 66, Middlefield). Follow it to the buildings and park. We will have a rare opportunity to access the Mattabesett Trail through the city’s water department lands that include Higby and Adder Reservoirs. This is a more difficult hike due to length (4.5 miles) and steepness.

NOVEMBER NATURE WALKDay/Date: Sunday, November 14, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. (lasts ~1.5 hours)Location: Wadsworth State Park at the parking lot on 721 Wadsworth St, Middlefield

This is a mostly level 3-mile loop walk through the park, exploring both Little and Big Falls.

DECEMBER NATURE WALKDay/Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. (lasts ~1.5 hours)Location: Highlawn Forest, on Route 66, 4 miles east from Interstate 91, exit 18 or 2.7 miles west from Main/Washington Street junction. Trail head to right of CT Forest and Park Association building. (GPS: 16 Meriden Rd, Rockfall, CT 06481)</This 275-acre preserve, under easement to CFPA, includes plantations, forests, and swamps. Trail is primarily level and easy.

2020 Virtual Earth Day Event: April 22

Check out this for a few ideas on ways to celebrate the 50th Earth Day while we are limited in our activities: