Earth Day Event at the Lyme Public Hall

Earth Day 2024 is April 22, and the Lyme Public Hall (249 Hamburg Rd in Lyme CT) is hosting a series of talks scheduled for Sunday, April 21, featuring local experts to help you care for and appreciate our unique local natural environment. The public is invited to attend any or all of these talks which are free of charge. Space is limited and reservations are recommended; please email info@lymepublichall.org to reserve your place.

10:00-11:00 am — A Biologist’s Perspective on What Makes Lyme Special, with Jim Arrigoni (Environmental Director, Lyme Land Conservation Trust) A close look at a variety of Lyme wildlife species to consider their unique characteristics and how they make their livings, often in preserves that you are also welcome to visit and enjoy. Many of these wildlife species are rare or absent elsewhere in southern New England, indicating the richness of Lyme’s natural heritage and the importance of our stewardship responsibility.

11:00 am-12:00 pm — Why Backyard Habitat Matters, with Judy Preston (Environmental Professional) Explore the benefits of transitioning gardens and yards into landscapes that complement the many acres of protected natural areas surrounding us. Learn what “native” is and why that matters; how to attract and sustain wildlife; manage your landscape to store and sequester carbon, while reducing water, fertilizer and chemical inputs; and how we can collectively make a significant environmental difference by redefining the way we value our backyard gardens and landscapes.

12:00-1:00 pm — Lunch Break: Brown Bag (drinks and cookies provided by Lyme Public Hall)

1:00-2:00 pm — Beyond Organic Pest Management with Emma Sutphen (Farmer, Adesa Farm, North Stonington) A discussion of the methods of biological pest control and best practices for mitigating pest pressure on plants. Discover ways to mimic Nature’s systems by using available natural soil foods, green manures and composts to enhance your soil’s vitality. Learn about the soil food web and biological pest control to combat New England’s common pests.

2:00-3:00 pm — Mother Earth Friendly Gardening with Craig Floyd (Retired Farm Manager, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center’s Craig Floyd Giving Garden at Coogan Farm) Introducing a Mother Earth friendly way to garden that uses no harmful chemicals, attracts native pollinators and beneficial insects and delivers up to 78% more production than conventional agriculture. He will also explain how the garden helps Veterans with PTSD and he will enlighten you to the emergency mission situation pertaining to soil degradation…we have just over 50 years of soil left on the planet and we must change how we farm.

3:00-4:00 pm — Beekeeping Basics with Tom Kalal (Cranberry Meadow Farm, East Lyme) The basics of beekeeping, including how to establish, maintain and overwinter a hive; harvesting honey; pest control; gardening for bees and what equipment you will need to get your own apiary going.

This event is co-sponsored by the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden, the Lyme Land Conservation Trust, the Lyme Garden Club and the Lyme Pollinator Pathway. For more information, please contact info@LymePublicHall.org