The Old Lyme Land Trust (OLLT) is a 501(c) 3 (non-profit) private corporation established by a group of conservation-minded Old Lyme residents in 1966. The OLLT is an all volunteer organization governed by a board of trustees approved by the membership. It receives no taxpayer funding and relies on donations and membership contributions to fund its land acquisitions and operating expenses. The Old Lyme Land Trust owns and maintains 14 preserves, totaling 802 acres, plus numerous smaller properties (largely marshes) throughout the town. It also holds a small number of conservation easements.
All the land owned by the OLLT is legally private, held for the public benefit. OLLT properties can either be opened for public use or closed by the board in order to protect valuable and/or vulnerable wildlife habitat as well as scenic values.
More information including a property overview, and links to maps and trails can be found on their website.
The Open Space Commission (OLOSC) is a Town of Old Lyme government agency, established by local ordinance. Members of the Commission are volunteers appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The town in 1972 first considered acquiring land for open space. This goal was pursued via sub-committees of various town commissions, until the OLOSC was formally created in 2010 by a vote of residents during a town meeting.
Since 1988, the Town of Old Lyme has allocated $75,000 annually into an open space acquisition fund which was recently used to purchase the McCulloch Family Open Space. In addition, the town budgets the commission’s limited operating expenses. The commission is charged by ordinance with managing town owned open space for passive public recreational use and to protect and preserve its natural resources and wildlife. There are six sizable open space properties, totaling 936 acres. The OLOSC also owns smaller properties and holds a number of conservation easements.
More information including a listing of property can be found on the Open Space board and commission webpage.
A map and description of hiking trails through both organizations is also available at this link, and hard copies are available at the Town Hall.