Essex Land Trust

Ivoryton Walking History Tour
2026-06-20 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | The Millrace, Ivory Street, Ivoryton, CT, 06442
This popular event is co-sponsored with the Essex Historical Society. 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. The conversation will continue through Ivoryton with EHS featuring historic buildings and sites that made up Ivoryton’s rich history. Parking on Ivory St. and Public Lot at Ivoryton Green. The event is weather dependent. Please check our Facebook Page for updates. Unless your dog is a history buff, best to leave them at home.

Community Concert featuring Melaena
2026-06-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Essex Town Park, 12 Main Street, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Enjoy an evening at the Essex Main Street Park with Friends, Live Music, and views of Middle Cove. The Essex Land Trust is hosting the event featuring Melaena, a 6-piece cover band whose sole mission is to perform music that “makes you want to dance.” We’ll be grooving to songs from every decade, from Top 40 to Motown to classic rock to current hits. All are welcome at this family friendly event. Bring your family, friends, picnic baskets, blankets, beverages, and be prepared to sip, dance, and have some fun.Dogs on leash are OK. This event is weather dependent. so please check our Facebook Page for updates.

Ivoryton July 4 Parade
2026-07-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Ivoryton Green, Ivoryton Green, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
The Essex Land Trust will participate in the Annual Ivoryton Fourth of July parade celebrating our Nation’s 250th! 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! Marchers will gather at 9:30 AM at the intersection of Walnut St. and Main St. in Ivoryton. Parade begins at 10:00 am. Rain Date is July 5.

Family Paddle – Exploring Mill Pond
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Falls River Park, Falls River Drive, Ivoryton, CT, 06442, United States
Join the Essex Land Trust for a guided Canoe/Kayak paddle around Mill Pond. Sue and Bob Cornell, Jean Island Stewards and avid paddlers will lead the armada. Please arrive early. Participants must check-in on site, sign a waiver, and launch their boats prior to the 10:00 am departure. Parking is onsite. Bring a lunch, refreshments and chairs to enjoy socializing at Falls River Park following the paddle. Participants are solely responsible for providing and use of their own equipment, including pfds. This event is weather dependent. Please check our Facebook page for updates. Dogs are permitted at this event and must be secured on the water and on leash on land.

Geocache Adventure
2026-08-11 15:30 - 17:00 | The Millrace, Ivory Street, Ivoryton, CT, 06442
The Essex Library Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Each week, join Essex Library for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore a different hobby, skill, or craft. The last session is all about Geocaching! In this session, families will join Essex Land Trust to explore The Millrace property and learn how to use the free Geocache app to join the world’s largest treasure hunt by using a GPS-enabled device or smartphone to search for hidden geocaches!
Program open to families with children ages 5+. Registration is required HERE

Patriotic Paddle, Picnic, and Concert
2026-08-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Join the Essex Land Trust and the CT River Museum for an intermediate guided Canoe/Kayak paddle from Essex village to explore Historic Falls River Cove. Jeff Croyle, Essex Land Trust Vice President will lead the paddle. Participants must check-in on site, sign a waiver, and launch their boats prior to the paddle. Please drive down to the ramp to drop off your boat and gear. ELT Volunteers will be there to help you unload. Parking is at the Lay House parking (upper) lot of the CT River Museum; please arrive early. Additional street parking is available.
A BYO (Bring your own) picnic on the CT River Museum lawn will follow the paddle at 1:00 PM. The Corinthian Jazz Band will perform a blend of American favorites and patriotic tunes, ending with a medley to honor our armed forces. Refreshments will be available for purchase. You may decorate your boat and wear red, white, and blue to celebrate the occasion. Please be sure that you and your boat are seaworthy! Participants are solely responsible for providing and use of their own equipment, including pfds.
This event is weather dependent. Please check our Facebook page for updates. Dogs are permitted at this event and must be secured on the water and on leash on land.

The Connecticut River Conservancy Source to Sea Cleanup
2026-09-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Essex Land Trust members are invited to participate in the Connecticut River Conservancy’s 30th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup. We will help clean up our waterfront shorelines including our Great Meadow and Turtle Creek Preserves. Please register on the Connecticut River Conservancy (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 we 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.

Invasives Removal: Boot the Barberry at Canfield Meadow Woods
2026-09-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Canfield – Dennison Rd., 59 Dennison Rd, Esssex, CT, 06426
Help us in our continuing efforts to remove invasive plants in our preserves and help to reestablish native habitat. This will be a continuation of our barberry removal efforts and will be at Canfield Meadow Woods on the Orange Trail just over the bridge from the Blue Canfield Trail. Bring gloves, loppers, pruners, mattocks and such. Parking at Dennison Road is limited. Alternate parking available at Eagle Ridge Drive access. This event is weather dependent. Please check our Facebook page for updates. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
