The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

High Rock, Lord Cove © Alden Warner

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

View All

Plan Your Visit

How to Prepare for Your Visit View All

Get Directions

Why You Should Visit
Visitable only by small boat, this brackish marsh contains a five-mile maze of waterways, with an abundance and variety of birdlife.

Location
Lyme

Size
351 acres

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Lord Cove is an excellent example of brackish tidal marsh. The preserve has been created thanks to the generosity of numerous donors; the entire preserve has been protected through gifts. Most recently, Jane I. Davison of Lyme donated an easement on 13 acres on the east shore of Lord Cove. Altogether, the Davison family is acting to protect more than 180 acres at the site.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The state Department of Environmental Protection and The Nature Conservancy have protected more than 500 acres at this site and are currently working to eliminate the invasive plant Phragmites and restore the native plant community.

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Conditions
This site can only be visited by canoe, kayak or other small boat.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants
Lord Cove includes the habitat of 10 plant species listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern in Connecticut, many found at multiple locations throughout the marsh.

What to See: Animals
Many bird species roost and perch within the marsh and surrounding uplands, including the king rail and the least bittern, the northern harrier and sedge wren, the federally threatened bald eagle, and the savannah sparrow.

Plan Your Visit

Please enjoy your visit to this preserve.  The Nature Conservancy welcomes passive recreation, including hiking, birding, canoeing, nature study and cross-country skiing.  

To ensure those who visit after you are able to enjoy the same experience you have, please remember to stay on designated trails, pack out everything you brought in, and contact our office at: 203 568 6270 or ct@tnc.org if you notice any problems.  

To maintain the ecological integrity of the preserve, the following activities are not allowed:  collection of plant or animal specimens, camping, fires, fishing, hunting, bicycling, and use of motorized vehicles.  Pets are not allowed on Nature Conservancy preserves.

Directions

From Interstate 95:

• Take exit 70 and drive north on Route 156 for about a half-mile. 
• There is a town landing to the left, where you may launch your canoe, but may not park; after launching, one of your party will have to return your car to the park-and-ride lot just north of I-95 on the right, and return on foot. 
• Paddle north, keeping near the eastern bank of the river, and enter the cove on your right.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

Read our guidelines on posting comments