Essex Land Trust

Fall Hikes - Bushy Hill, Platt Preserves - EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO FORECASTED RAIN
2024-11-21 09:45 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Bushy Hill, Platt Preserves, Bushy Hill Road, Ivoryton, CT, United States
We are cancelling this event due to the substantial rains forecasted for Thursday.
November 21 – Bushy Hill/ Patt Preserves – Bushy Hill Rd., Ivoryton

Hike and Social: Windswept Ridge and the Scotch Plains Tavern
2024-11-09 15:00 - 16:30 | Windswept Ridge, 176 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Come enjoy ELT’s Windswept Ridge Preserve for a moderate 60-90 min hike led by Jeff Croyle, Steward and ELT’s President. The property overlooks the Mud River valley farmland once known as “Scotch Plains” so it’s fitting that we go to Scotch Plains Tavern after the hike for snacks and libation. Parking is behind Essex Financial Services; 176 Westbrook Rd. and Scotch Plains Tavern is just a quarter mile away at 124 Westbrook Rd. Rain cancels; check our Facebook page for updates.

Fall Hikes - The Preserve (West)
2024-11-07 09:45 - 12:00 | The Preserve (West), Ingham Hill Road, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Join us for Thursday morning guided hikes exploring some of ELT’s 24 preserves with more than 35 miles of trails. Come for all or come for one, bring a friend or make a friend. This is a great way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Hikes begin at 10 AM. Arrive by 9:45 AM so the group can review the planned trails and highlights. Hikes will be 1-2 hours depending on location. Hikes are weather dependent so check our Facebook page for updates. Essex Land Trust Facebook
November 7 – The Preserve (West) – End of Ingham Hill Road, Essex
November 21 – Bushy Hill/ Pratt Preserves – Bushy Hill Rd., Ivoryton

PokéWalk with Pokémon Go
2024-10-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
A program for families and teens interested in getting outside and exploring Pokémon Go! All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks will be provided. Get ready to catch some Pokémon! Meet at the Essex Library and then travel over to the Cross Lots to get those kilometers in and stop by some PokéStops! And since this event is close to Halloween, we encourage you to get into the spirit by dressing up as your favorite Pokémon or Pokémon Trainer!

Fall Hikes - Canfield Woods
2024-10-24 09:45 - 12:00 | Canfield Meadow Woods, Book Hill Woods Rd., Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Join us for Thursday morning guided hikes exploring some of ELT’s 24 preserves with more than 35 miles of trails. Come for all or come for one, bring a friend or make a friend. This is a great way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the beauty of nature. We are pleased to be co-sponsoring the October 24 Hike at Canfield with the Valley Shore YMCA. Hikes begin at 10 AM. Arrive by 9:45 AM so the group can review the planned trails and highlights. Hikes will be 1-2 hours depending on location. Hikes are weather dependent so check our Facebook page for updates. Essex Land Trust Facebook
October 24 – Canfield Woods – Book Hills Woods Rd., Essex
November 7 – The Preserve (West) – End of Ingham Hill Road, Essex
November 21 – Bushy Hill/ Pratt Preserves – Bushy Hill Rd., Ivoryton

Ivoryton Pumpkin Chase
2024-10-19 07:30 - 10:00 | Ivoryton Green, Ivoryton Green, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
Supported by the Essex Land Trust, this race benefits the Ivoryton Library and its programs. A portion of the run goes through our Falls River Preserve. Registration is online and check-in is at the Ivoryton Village green starting at 7:30 am. Race starts at 8:30 am for children and at 9:00 for adults.

Full Moon Hike and Happy Hour
2024-10-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Johnson Farm, Read Street, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
There’ll be “a moon out tonight” for our Full Moon Hike at Johnson Farm. See Johnson Farm in a “new light.” The moon will rise at 5:00 PM as we begin our hike and we’re hoping for a crystal-clear night so the moon can light our way. The first part of the hike is moderate and goes over rocky terrain with lots of roots and a bit of elevation. The trail then opens to meadow and pastureland for an open view of the moon. Following the hike, we’ll head over to the Tap Room at the Blue Hound for socializing. It’s October in CT, so please dress warmly and have appropriate footwear as the first part of the trail is rocky and can be wet. Bring flashlights as well as binoculars or scopes for some stargazing.This hike is weather dependent. Please check our Facebook page for updates.
Registration is encouraged but it is not required. Please register HERE

Fall Hikes - Woodja Hill, Doanes' Woods, James Glen
2024-10-10 09:45 - 12:00 | Woodja Hill, Oxbow Lane, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Join us for Thursday morning guided hikes exploring some of ELT’s 24 preserves with more than 35 miles of trails. Come for all or come for one, bring a friend or make a friend. This is a great way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the beauty of nature. We are pleased to be co-sponsoring the October 24 Hike at Canfield with the Valley Shore YMCA. Hikes begin at 10 AM. Arrive by 9:45 AM so the group can review the planned trails and highlights. Hikes will be 1-2 hours depending on location. Hikes are weather dependent so check our Facebook page for updates. Essex Land Trust Facebook
October 10 – Woodja Hill/Doanes’ Woods/James Glen – Oxbow Lane, Essex
October 24 – Canfield Woods – Book Hills Woods Rd., Essex
November 7 – The Preserve (West) – End of Ingham Hill Road, Essex
November 21 – Bushy Hill/ Pratt Preserves – Bushy Hill Rd., Ivoryton

Souce to Sea Cleanup
2024-10-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Essex Land Trust members are invited to participate to help clean up our riverfront and community including our Great Meadow and Turtle Creek Preserves. Please register on the CRC Source to Sea Cleanup Website (https://sourcetoseacleanup.org/) choosing “Join a Cleanup” and selecting the Essex Three Villages Group. We will gather at the CT River Museum (67 Main Street, Essex) at 9:00 AM and then will move to the various cleanup sites. Please bring gloves and “pick up tools” if you have them. Boots or waterproof shoes are recommended. We will collect and categorize debris to assist CRC in their advocacy efforts. We are expecting to finish by noon. This is a rain or shine event but severe weather could cancel. Updates, if any, will be posted on the Essex Land Trust Facebook page.

Fall Hikes - Windswept Ridge
2024-10-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Windswept Ridge, 176 Westbrook Road, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Join us for Thursday morning guided hikes exploring some of ELT’s 24 preserves with more than 35 miles of trails. Come for all or come for one, bring a friend or make a friend. This is a great way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the beauty of nature. We are pleased to be co-sponsoring the October 24 Hike at Canfield with the Valley Shore YMCA. Hikes begin at 10 AM. Arrive by 9:45 AM so the group can review the planned trails and highlights. Hikes will be 1-2 hours depending on location. Hikes are weather dependent so check our Facebook page for updates. Essex Land Trust Facebook
October 3 – Windswept Ridge – Essex Financial, 176 Westbrook Road ((Rt. 153), Essex
October 10 – Woodja Hill/Doanes’ Woods/James Glen – Oxbow Lane, Essex
October 24 – Canfield Woods – Book Hills Woods Rd., Essex
November 7 – The Preserve (West) – End of Ingham Hill Road, Essex
November 21 – Bushy Hill/ Pratt Preserves – Bushy Hill Rd., Ivoryton

Ivoryton History and Remembrance at The Millrace
2024-09-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Ivory Street, Ivory Street, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
On this first day of Autumn, Essex Land Trust steward, Scott McCoid, will lead a walking tour of the Millrace Preserve covering Ivoryton’s history, the company that built it, and the Flood that punctuated the end of an era. Gary Comstock, a Land Trust member, will speak briefly about the importance of remembering the elephants and enslaved people who are an important part of that history. Parking: Ivory St. and Public Lot at Ivoryton Green. The event is free and open to all ages. Rain Cancels. Please check our Facebook Page for weather related changes.

Summer Hikers Series
2024-08-29 09:00 - 11:00 | CT
Join us for Thursday morning guided hikes exploring some of ELT’s 24 preserves with more than 35 miles of trails. This is a great way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Registration is encouraged but not required. Registered hikers will receive information for the upcoming hike. It also helps us know who’s coming and have your contact information if there are changes. Stay Connected! Join our ELT Hikers: https://bit.ly/4aX9UtE Hikes begin at 9 AM. Arrive by 8:45 AM so the group can review the planned trails and highlights. Hikes will be 1-2 hours depending on location. Specific hike rating, mileage and duration will be provided before each hike.
August 29: Canfield Woods, Book Hill Woods Road, Essex. Led by Tom Soboleski.
September 5: Johnson Farm, Reed Hill Road, Ivoryton. Led by Mark Carroza.

Canoe/Kayak Paddle on Mill Pond
2024-08-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Falls River Park, Falls River Drive, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
August 10 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm with Social to follow
Join the Essex Land trust for a FREE guided Canoe/Kayak paddle on Mill Pond in Ivoryton. Participants should check-in on site and launch their own boats prior to the 10:30 am departure. The launch site has been upgraded with dock and cradle for a smooth launch. Parking at Falls River Park is limited; please plan to park on Falls River Drive and arrive early. A casual summer BBQ and social will follow at a member’s nearby home. Bring a folding chair or blanket, and swimsuit and towel if you would like to take a dip in the pool. Participants must sign a waiver onsite and are solely responsible for providing and use of their own equipment, including pfds. Bad weather cancels. Please register for this event at: https://bit.ly/4ccS72W. Registration is for both the paddle and social. It is encouraged but it is not required.

Essex Library Hikes
2024-07-09 16:00 - 17:00 | CT
Join Essex Land Trust and Essex Library for a hike through different Essex Land Trust preserves. Guided by a member of Essex Land Trust, learn the history behind the hiking trails, the different wildlife that can be seen there, and how we can help keep them beautiful!
July 9: Hike at The Millrace: Ivory Street, Ivoryton
-July 23: Hike at Doanes’ Woods, James Glen, & Woodja Hill Preserve: Ox Bow Lane, Essex
-August 6: Hike at Canfield – Meadow Woods Nature Preserve: Book Hill Woods Road, Essex
Registration is encouraged but not required. REGISTER HERE

July 4th Ivoryton Parade
2024-07-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Parade kick-off, 132-128 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
10AM start from Walnut and Main Streets, Ivoryton
The Essex Land Trust will participate in the Annual Ivoryton Fourth of July parade. We will have a tractor and decorated trailer and will spread general good cheer! ELT volunteers, members, and families are encouraged to attend and wear your red, white, and blue! If you wish to participate in decorating the trailer or marching/walking in the parade, register here: https://bit.ly/4aScQYw. Decorating the tractor and trailer will be in the afternoon on July 3. Marchers will gather at 9:30 AM at the corner of Walnut and Main Streets. Parade begins at 10:00 am. Severe weather cancels.
