Sunday, January 22 — 2pm at Ivoryton Library

Talk: Industrial History of the Falls River

Bill Grover, longtime town resident and partner emeritus of Centerbrook Architects, will present an illustrated talk on the history of the Falls River as it passes through town. Co-sponsored by the Ivoryton Library. Parking available on nearby streets.

Saturday, February 4 — 10am at Falls River Preserve

Winter Walk: Falls River Preserve & Jean’s Island

Naturalist Phil Miller and Chet Arnold, former president of the Essex Land Trust, will lead groups through the spectacular Falls River Preserve. Walk to Jean’s Island if the ice is thick. Cocoa and donuts served before the hike. This walk is the year’s kick off for the Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit, co-sponsored with the Essex Land Trust and the Essex Park & Recreation Department. Park at the end of Falls River Drive in Ivoryton. Only really bad weather (blizzard or torrential rain) cancels.

Monday, March 5 — 2pm at Essex Town Hall

Talk: Saving Central Park

Sara Cedar Miller, the official historian and photographer of the Central Park Conservancy, will discuss the various scientific practices and technological innovations to maintain and restore Central Park, a manmade landscape. Topics will also include the Soil, Water and Ecology Lab’s role in maintaining the Park’s water bodies for its wildlife (mainly birds and fish) and its soil for the plantings and trees. Co-sponsored by the Essex Garden Club. Refreshments served. Parking behind Town Hall, 29 West Avenue, Essex.

Saturday, March 31 — 9am-12pm at Essex Town Hall

Essex Land Trust Property Spruce-up

Help the Land Trust restore our preserves after the winter by picking up brush and debris, raking and clearing trails and streams. All are welcome, including local groups and organizations. Make this a family event. Meet at Essex Town Hall parking lot, 29 West Avenue, Essex, for your assignment. Rain or shine. Refreshments served.

Tuesday, April 17 — 5:30 pm at Essex Meadows

Essex Land Trust Annual Meeting

Members and non-members of the Essex Land Trust are invited to attend its Annual Meeting. There is a charge for the buffet (5:30-6:30pm) but there is no charge for attending the business meeting that follows. Members automatically receive invitations. Non-members who wish to attend should contact Peggy Tuttle, 860-767-7916. Parking spaces are limited; please carpool if possible. Essex Meadows is located at 30 Bokum Road in Essex.

Saturday, April 28 — 9am-12pm at Essex Town Hall

Arbor Day Celebration

Join us in planting a next generation of trees at Cross Lots and other ELT properties in celebration of Arbor Day. Learn from demonstrations of techniques for successful tree planting. This event will also include family friendly activities. All ages and abilities are welcome. This is an Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit event. Rain or shine. Park at Essex Town Hall, 29 West Avenue, Essex. Refreshments served.

Saturday, May 5 — 8am-10am at Viney Hill Brook Park

Walk & Talk: Spring Bird Migrants

Join Essex resident and birding enthusiast, Jim Denham, in exploring Viney Hill Brook Park in search of arriving bird migrants. Early May is an ideal time to watch the arrival and passage of forest dwelling birds as they set up nesting territories or bulk-up on their migration northward. Learn how to spot warblers, woodpeckers, sparrows and other avian denizens in one of our town’s unique parks. Bring binoculars and wear good walking shoes. Meet at the parking lot next to the pond. This is an Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit event. The park is accessed off Hillside Drive in Essex. Rain or shine. Ample parking is available near the pond. Refreshments served.

Wednesday, June 27 — 5-7pm at Pettipaug Yacht Club

Walk & Talk: Great Meadow Walk & Turtle Talk

Enjoy one of the Land Trust’s most stunning preserves with naturalist Phil Miller, leading our walk from 5:00-6:00 pm. At 6:15, Kasha Breau, Connecticut Audubon educator, will join us at Pettipaug Yacht Club for a presentation: “Tremendous Turtles of Connecticut.” This is an Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit event. Rain or shine, with talk taking place indoors at PYC if weather is bad. BYO picnic to enjoy after the talks. Entrance to Pettipaug is located between 143 and 145 River Road, Essex.

Thursday, August 9 — 5pm at Essex Town Park on Main Street

Canoe & Kayak: Around Thatchbed Island

Paddle with Phil Miller and Kathy LaBella around Thatchbed Island, viewing birds and plants and the beauty of Middle and South Coves. Open to paddlers of all ages, but basic experience in paddling is required. This is an Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit event. Launch from Essex Town Park on Main Street. Park behind the Post Office at 12 Main Street, Essex. Bad weather cancels.

Wednesday, September 19 — 7pm at Essex Town Hall

Talk: The Quadricentennial of Adriaen Block’s Exploration of the Connecticut River & Long Island Sound

Author Tom Andersen will tell the story of Block’s journeys of exploration, and the mutinies, burning ships, betrayals and gun battles that accompanied them. Co-sponsored by Potapaug Audubon Society and Essex Historical Society. Refreshments served.

Saturday, September 29 — 9am-12pm

‘Source to Sea’ Annual River Cleanup

Join us for the 16th annual Source to Sea Cleanup of the rivers, streams and banks that make up the vast Connecticut River system from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound. This annual event involving over 70 groups and organizations is coordinated by the Connecticut River Watershed Council. All ages and abilities are welcome. Meet at Essex Town Hall parking lot, 29 West Avenue, Essex, for your assignment. Rain or shine. Refreshments served.

Monday, October 1 — 2:00pm at Essex Town Hall

Talk: Preserving Our Trees

Essex Tree Warden, Augie Pampel, and other leading conservationists will discuss trees in general and Essex trees in particular. Topics covered will include the role and responsibility of the Essex Tree Committee, Essex Tree Warden, Park & Recreation and the Essex Land Trust, town ordinances affecting trees and helpful hints for pest control, tree preservation and tree planting. A question and answer period will follow. Co-sponsored by the Essex Garden Club. Refreshments served.

Saturday, October 20 — 7:30am Register at Ivoryton Village Green

3rd Annual Run Local/Read Local

The Ivoryton 5k Run/Walk benefitting the Ivoryton Library begins near the library and meanders through beautiful Ivoryton and into the Land Trust’s Falls River Preserve. This is an Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit event in conjunction with the Essex Park & Recreation Department. Prizes will be awarded in many categories. All runners ages 8 and under will be given medals and pumpkins to paint. Park in designated lots. Rain or shine.

Saturday, November 17 — 10am-11:30am at Viney Hill Brook Park

2nd Annual Family Turkey Tromp & Plunge

Take a guided hike along the trails of the beautiful 92 acre town park starting at 10am. The walk will last approximately 45 minutes. At 11am, be part of or just watch the wacky folks plunge into the pond. Participants in the plunge must sign waivers. This event is the last of the 2012 Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit. The park is accessed off Hillside Drive in Essex. Ample parking is available in the park, near the pond. Rain or shine. Refreshments served.