Wednesday, May. 30, 2012, 1:00 pm

Purple Bench HIke & Nordic Walk, May 30, E. Lyme

Nature/Outdoors
Rocky Neck State Park, 275 W Main St (across street), Niantic, CT , 06357

Join Rachel, personal trainer at Anytime Fitness, at the hiking entrance to Rocky Neck State Park . Take a gentle hike and throw in some Nordic Walking for a great overall body workout.
Please register via www.purplebench.com This event is cancelled in case of rain.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 10:00 am

2nd Annual Nutmeg Scavenger Scurry

Nature/Outdoors
Haddam Meadows State Park, route 154, Haddam, CT , 06438

A shoreline scavenger hunt on June 2nd (sat) 10am-5pm (followed by an awards picnic). Why? Because we want to!

THE PREMISE- Each team will be presented with a list consisting of clues and items they can find for a point value. The team with the most points at the end of the race will be declared the winner and will be awarded bragging rights and a great prize.

Your scavenger hunt can be tailored to the experience you and your team would like to have. Choose from three categories: 1. FAMILY FRIENDLY, 2. DRUNKEN PIRATE (DESIGNATED DRIVER MANDATORY), OR 3. THE RAT RACE. Teams may also mix and match from each of the three categories.

FOR RULES OR TO REGISTER PLEASE EMAIL LIS AT: sharkyzmom@gmail.com or Kelly at: kwnoodle@gmail.com

The hunt is best suited for a team of four (remember to have a designated driver please). (Families of more than 4 where the children are all under the age of 19 count as one team.)

-The pre registration entry fee per team is $30 (non refundable) and must be submitted before the race as well as the names of the team members and who is the designated driver.

-This event will take place rain or shine

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 12:00 am

Celebrate National Trails Day at Peter's Rock

Nature/Outdoors
Peter's Rock - park entrance, 133 Middletown Avenue, North Haven, CT

Presentation on invasive plants led by Master Gardener Walter Brockett. Guided hike (10:30 a.m.). Wear suitable shoes and clothing. No dogs allowed on hike.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 12:00 am

Connecticut Trails Day Hike

Nature/Outdoors
Peters Memorial Woods, , Clinton, CT

Rain or Shine. Two-mile hike. Bring water and meet at parking lot of woods on Valley Road. Sponsored by Clinton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) and led by Mike Houde, President of CLCT. No pre-registration necessary.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 12:00 am

Connecticut Trails Day Walk in the Woods

Nature/Outdoors
, , Old Saybrook, CT

Hosted by Old Saybrook Land Trust. Hikers meet at Great Cedars West parkig area on Ingham Hill Road or at Old Saybrook High School parking lot, 1111 Boston Post Road, at 9:45 a.m. to carpool to trailhead.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 12:00 am

Cottage and Contemporary Garden Walk

Nature/Outdoors
, , Branford, CT

Sponsored by Branford Garden Club. Rain or Shine. Includes 12 gardens in Branford, including some with "Wee Fairy Huts," Tickets sold at one of the tour homes at 101 South Main Street (behind Town Hall), Branford. Parking available in municipal lot on corner. Green balloons mark each house on tour. Tickets and guide: $10.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 9:30 am

Guilford Land Trust Hike - East River Preserve

Nature/Outdoors
East River Preserve, Duck Hole Road, Guilford, CT

Join GLCT Director, Heather Allore for this family-friendly hike in the East River Preserve. Bring good hiking shoes and water. Meet at Duck Hole Road, off of Clapboard Hill Road, by 9:30am. Leashed dogs welcome.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 9:30 am

North Cove Guided Paddle

Nature/Outdoors
Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, CT , 06426

Connecticut River Museum staff will lead a free, guided paddle in Essex’s North Cove as part of the statewide Connecticut Trails Day celebration. The public is invited to explore North Cove, a natural embayment on the Connecticut River, with points of interest including historic shipyard sites, Riverview Cemetery, extensive tidal marshes, and the mouth of the Falls River. The tour will meet at 9:30 am in front of the Museum to launch for the two-mile paddle and conclude with a bring-your-own-picnic lunch on the Museum’s lawn. Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak and life vest. Dogs are not permitted. The paddle is free but pre-registration is required. To register call 860.767.8269 ext.113 or email jwhitedobbs@ctrivermuseum.org. The Connecticut River Museum, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Connecticut River and surrounding valley region, is located at 67 Main Street in Essex. More information can be found at www.ctrivermuseum.org.

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 12:30 am

Pabst Blue Ribbon Block Island Bass Tournament

Nature/Outdoors
Rhode Island Shores & Water, N/A, Block Island, RI

Pabst Brewing Company & the Block Island Tourism Council are hosting the 1st annual “Pabst Blue Ribbon Block Island Bass Tournament,” JUNE 2 - JULY 7, 2012.

Over $30K in cash (1st place Boat: $20K; 1st Place Shore: $10K), and prizes like a Polaris 4x4 ATV, $5K Bristol Marine gift certificate, Yeti coolers, Oakley sunglasses, rods, and more being added daily.

Registrants receive a Tournament t-shirt (first 500 also receive a hat), PBR waterproof cell phone case, Mustad Hook pack, a three month subscription to The Fisherman (12 issues).

Register at WWW.PBRFISHING.COM or at the Tournament weigh stations: Block Island Fishworks, Twin Maples (Block Island), Snug Harbor Marina (Wakefield), and Watch Hill Outfitters (Westerly)

Saturday, Jun. 2, 2012, 12:00 am

Snake and Frog Hunt

Nature/Outdoors
Bauer Park, 257 Copse Road, Madison, CT

Herpetologist conducts a hunt for turtles, frogs and snakes. For all ages; children must be accompanied by adult.

Sunday, Jun. 3, 2012, 12:00 am

Cottage and Contemporary Garden Walk

Nature/Outdoors
, , Branford, CT

Sponsored by Branford Garden Club. Rain or Shine. Includes 12 gardens in Branford, including some with "Wee Fairy Huts," Tickets sold at one of the tour homes at 101 South Main Street (behind Town Hall), Branford. Parking available in municipal lot on corner. Green balloons mark each house on tour. Tickets and guide: $10.

Sunday, Jun. 3, 2012, 1:00 pm

Guilford Land Trust Hike - East River Woodlands

Nature/Outdoors
East River Preserve, Duck Hole Road, Guilford, CT

Join GLCT Director Heather Allore and GLCT Steward, George Goss for this 6 mile hike through the East River Preserve. Bring good hiking shoes, water and a snack. Meet at Duck Hole Road, off of Clapboard Hill Road, by 1pm. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Sunday, Jun. 3, 2012, 12:00 am

Tour of Gardens by the Sea

Nature/Outdoors
Madison Visitor Information Center, 12 School Street, Madison, CT

Sponsored by Women's Club of Madison, the tour includes a garden boutique and seven private gardens near Long Island Sound. Proceeds benefit training room for new ambulance building. Tickets $15 (in advance) at R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison; $18 (day of tour) at Madison Visitor Information Center (next to Town Green)

Sunday, Jun. 3, 2012, 12:00 am

Tri-Town 5K Walk for St. Jude Hospital

Nature/Outdoors
Valley Regional High School (track), 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River, CT