1/1/2026 - First Day Hike(s) Two First Day Hikes in Southbury! Thursday, January 1st at 10 a.m.: SLT's First Day Hike. Naturalist Jim Sirch leads an educational hike focusing on local wildlife, their seasonal habitat and behaviors. Jim recently retired from the Yale-Peabody Museum where he served as Naturalist and Education Coordinator. Jim is also the president of the CT Horticultural a master gardener, writes a popular nature blog, "Beyond Your Back Door," and is a board member for his local land trust. Hike Location: Lovdal entrance, 530 Hulls Hill Rd., of the Phillips-Lovdal Farm Preserve. Hike starts promptly at 10 a.m. Please leave pets at home. RSVP is required. Sign up at https://www.southburylandtrust.org/event-details/first-day-nature-hike-with-southbury-land-trust. Thursday, January 1st at 1:30 p.m. Families can also take a hike on the Miller Trail in Kettletown State Park, Southbury, CT with Bob McGarry. This hike starts at 1:30 p.m. The trail is about 2 miles long, a moderate hike, family friendly. On the hike along the Miller Trail in Kettletown State Park, we will pass a charcoal hearth site, seasonal views of Lake Zoar, old stone walls, and evidence of the destruction caused in the park by the tornado of May 15, 2018. This is a loop trail. Not stroller friendly. Hikers should wear sturdy footwear and bring water and a snack. The hike is moderate, with the usual Connecticut up and down. If time and interest allow, we will take a small diversion to see some of the damage in the park from the August 2024 flood. Register at https://ctwoodlands.org/events-calendar/first-day-hike-on-the-miller-trail/#rsvp-now. Any questions or concerns, call the hike leader Bob McGarry at 475-337-1523, or e-mail at bernieandbob@charter.net. CFPA is the sponsor organization. Heavy Rain or snow (over 2") cancels the events. ### Event: First Day Hike(s) Event Date: 1/1/2026 Event Time: 10:00am and 1:30pm Admission Fee: Free Registration Instructions: (Morning hike) https://www.southburylandtrust.org/event-details/first-day-nature-hike-with-southbury-land-trust | (Afternoon hike) https://ctwoodlands.org/events-calendar/first-day-hike-on-the-miller-trail/#rsvp-now Event Organizers/Contact: Southbury Land Trust and Bob McGarry, CFPA | 203-264-4441 | admin@southburylandtrust.org Event Location: (Morning hike) Lovdal Farm, 525 Hulls Hill Road, Southbury. (Afternoon hike) Kettletown State Park, 1400 Georges Hill Rd., Southbury. Archives
Two First Day Hikes in Southbury!
Thursday, January 1st at 10 a.m.: SLT's First Day Hike. Naturalist Jim Sirch leads an educational hike focusing on local wildlife, their seasonal habitat and behaviors. Jim recently retired from the Yale-Peabody Museum where he served as Naturalist and Education Coordinator. Jim is also the president of the CT Horticultural a master gardener, writes a popular nature blog, "Beyond Your Back Door," and is a board member for his local land trust.
Hike Location: Lovdal entrance, 530 Hulls Hill Rd., of the Phillips-Lovdal Farm Preserve. Hike starts promptly at 10 a.m. Please leave pets at home. RSVP is required. Sign up at https://www.southburylandtrust.org/event-details/first-day-nature-hike-with-southbury-land-trust.
Thursday, January 1st at 1:30 p.m.
Families can also take a hike on the Miller Trail in Kettletown State Park, Southbury, CT with Bob McGarry. This hike starts at 1:30 p.m. The trail is about 2 miles long, a moderate hike, family friendly.
On the hike along the Miller Trail in Kettletown State Park, we will pass a charcoal hearth site, seasonal views of Lake Zoar, old stone walls, and evidence of the destruction caused in the park by the tornado of May 15, 2018. This is a loop trail. Not stroller friendly. Hikers should wear sturdy footwear and bring water and a snack. The hike is moderate, with the usual Connecticut up and down.
If time and interest allow, we will take a small diversion to see some of the damage in the park from the August 2024 flood. Register at https://ctwoodlands.org/events-calendar/first-day-hike-on-the-miller-trail/#rsvp-now.
Any questions or concerns, call the hike leader Bob McGarry at 475-337-1523, or e-mail at bernieandbob@charter.net. CFPA is the sponsor organization.
Heavy Rain or snow (over 2") cancels the events.
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Event: First Day Hike(s) Event Date: 1/1/2026 Event Time: 10:00am and 1:30pm Admission Fee: Free Registration Instructions: (Morning hike) https://www.southburylandtrust.org/event-details/first-day-nature-hike-with-southbury-land-trust | (Afternoon hike) https://ctwoodlands.org/events-calendar/first-day-hike-on-the-miller-trail/#rsvp-now Event Organizers/Contact: Southbury Land Trust and Bob McGarry, CFPA | 203-264-4441 | admin@southburylandtrust.org Event Location: (Morning hike) Lovdal Farm, 525 Hulls Hill Road, Southbury. (Afternoon hike) Kettletown State Park, 1400 Georges Hill Rd., Southbury.