Area residents are being urged to use caution if participating in Connecticut Trails Weekend.  Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness diagnosed in an estimated 300,000 people nationally each year.  Western Connecticut Health Network Lyme Disease Registry research associate Amber Butler says the symptoms can be very common and non-specific.  They include fever, joint stiffness and feeling tired.  She compared it to having the flu in summer.  There could also be a rash that looks like a bullseye.  Butler says the rash will always grow over time.

Lyme Disease prevention is key.  She urges people to use the BLAST Method of detection and prevention.  Bathe or shower within two hours of being outdoors, Look all over for ticks, Apply repellant to clothing, Spray your yard with a pesticide and Treat your pets. 

If you do find a tick on your body, the recommended removal is by getting as close to your skin as possible with a tweezer and pulling it out. 

Danbury Hospital is looking for patients who have been diagnosed in the past for a few studies related to the disease.  Interested participants can call the Lyme Disease Registry at 203-739-8383.

The following are all hikes unless otherwise noted:

Sunday, June 8. 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM.

Franc Property and Bruno Preserve. Discover the woods and open fields of Bethel’s Franc Property and the adjacent Newtown Bruno Preserve. Several different trail routes will be available. The hike length will be modified to the desires of group. Boots and water are recommended. Call the leader or see bethellandtrust.org for meeting place details and other notices. Sponsored by Bethel Land Trust. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and to register: contact leader John O’Neill, (203) 748-3801, dantec@juno.com

Saturday, June 7. 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Williams Park. Join us for a guided hike through this 20-acre park in the heart of Brookfield. The journey will begin at the park entrance and encompass both wooded areas and open fields with views. The total distance: 3 miles. Meet leader Jeff Bronn at the park entrance across from The Brookfield Library (on Route 25/Whisconier Road). Sponsored by Brookfield Conservation Commission (brookfieldct.gov). Rain postpones June 8, 12:00 PM. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Questions and to register: contact Jeff, bronntisaurus@gmail.com

Saturday, June 7. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Birch Rocks Nature Sanctuary. There is no place like it! Join us for a 1- to 2-mile hike at this 101-acre sanctuary of mixed hardwood and hemlock forest. The Yellow Trail follows a gentle slope to Lake Lillinonah. The Red Trail is a rugged 1-mile loop to an ancient oak tree.  A stream through the sanctuary flows into the lake. Thick stands of trees filter outside noise and a sense of isolation is sure to be enjoyed. Park at the parking area on Merwin Brook Road, approximately 1/8 mile from the trailhead (look for parking attendent). Meet leaders Kathy Wandelmaier and John Miller at the large boulder, sign, and kiosk at the trailhead (between #40 and 42 on Obtuse Road North). Limited parking for 1-2 vehicles is available across the street. Sponsored by Brookfield Open Space Legacy Inc. (bosli.org).  Rain postpones to June 8, 10:00 AM; see www.facebook.com/brookfield.openspace for change notices. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Questions, rain plan, and to register: contact Kathy, (203) 740-8335, bkwandel2@att.net

Saturday, June 7. 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Bear Mountain Reservation in Danbury. Come enjoy two fun-filled family hikes. An “I Spy Scavenger Hunt” is planned for families with children age 6 and over. Follow each clue and stamp your answer sheet as you discover interesting facts about nature. For younger children, there will be a “Book Walk” with pages of the book located along the meadow trail. The total distance: 1.5 miles. Meet leaders Linda Murray and Kim Botelho at The Red Trail by the JFK Hiking Trails sign. Sponsored by Danbury Conservation Commission. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Linda, littlel1225@yahoo.com.

Saturday, June 7. 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Old Quarry Nature Center. Choose from two hour-long guided hikes for adventurers of all ages. Hike leaders Elyse Jasensky and Ed Moore will take the time to observe varied ecosystems and wildlife as well as visit to the quarry site, remains of the dynamite shack, a giant stone fireplace, and a stone chair. The Field House will be open with live animal exhibits, educational displays, and hands-on activities for young people. The total distance: 2 miles. Park at the grassy parking area just inside the Maple Lane entrance (off of Mountainville Road) and then meet at the amphitheater on the left, just beyond the parking area. Sponsored by Danbury Conservation Commission. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and to register: contact Elyse, (203) 417-3914, jasensky@comcast.net

Trail Maintenance

Saturday, June 7. 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Tarrywile Park. Join us, as we work on a trail maintenance project in celebration of National Trails Day. Water, a light snack, and all tools will be provided. Please wear steady shoes and bring work gloves. Park in the lower parking lot at Tarrywile Park (70 Southern Boulevard) and then proceed to meet leaders Becky Petro and Sam Crews at the Red Barn Environmental Center. Sponsored by Tarrywile Park and Mansion (tarrywile.com). Rain cancels. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Questions and to register: contact Becky, (203) 744-3130, tarrywile.mansion@snet.net

Educational Walk

Sunday, June 8. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Westside Nature Preserve. This will be an easy 2-mile hike for all ages. Join Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) biology professor Frank Dye, Ph.D. for a journey that will traverse two trails to observe the wetlands, uplands, brook, wildflowers, and invasive, aromatic, and nonflowering plants found on this WCSU property. There will be an optional quiz with prizes. Meet by the tennis courts on the Westside Campus; see website with interactive map, www.wcsu.edu/wnp. Sponsored by Westside Nature Preserve. Rain or shine. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and to register: contact Frank, dyef@wcsu.edu

Saturday, June 7. 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Webb Mountain Park. Join Monroe’s park ranger and tree warden, Dave Solek, for a hike with commentary on the trees and plant life en route. This will be a moderate-level 1-mile hike to an elevated lookout that affords a panoramic view of the Housatonic River Valley. The route is adjacent to the Paugussett Trail. Meet at the parking lot on Old Fishhouse Road off Webb Circle. Sponsored by Monroe Land Trust and Tree Conservancy. Rain or shine. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Questions and to register: contact co-leader Marven Moss, (203) 268-2961, mmoss36@yahoo.com

Nature Walk

Saturday, June 7. 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Pratt Nature Center. Come discover this 205-acre wildlife preserve and environmental education center. The land is diverse—with a mountain, meadows, woods, wildlife, gardens, farm animals, a stream, a pond, and wetlands, providing wonderful opportunities for outdoor fun, discovery and adventure! On this nature walk, we will explore the property trails, looking and listening for as many birds as we can find! Meet leaders Haley Neddermann and Diane Swanson at the front of the main building (163 Papermill Road). Sponsored by Pratt Nature Center (prattcenter.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and to register: contact Haley, (860) 355-3137, hn.prattcenter@gmail.com

Educational Walk

Saturday, June 7. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Pratt Nature Center. Explore the trails of this beautiful wildlife preserve under the light of the half moon. We will keep our eyes and ears open for owls, bats, and other nighttime creatures, and talk about the summer stars. Meet leader Haley Neddermann at the front of the main building (163 Papermill Road). Sponsored by Pratt Nature Center (prattcenter.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and to register: contact Haley, (860) 355-3137, hn.prattcenter@gmail.com

Saturday, June 7. 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Brunot Preserve. This parcel of land is unique in many ways. From the beautiful open meadows to cedar forests and rolling hills of oak and pine. It was once the home of James Brunot (July 1902 - October 1984)—a game designer known as the developer of Scrabble. There will be three hike options on this outing: 1) an easy stroll into the meadow on the white-blazed trail; 2) a longer perimeter hike on the yellow-blazed trail; 3) a geocache hike, Scrabble-themed to decipher the coordinates of the next hidden prize! Meet leader Aaron Coopersmith at the NFA sign/parking area on the west side of Taunton Hill Road (between #118 and #128 Taunton Hill Road). Sponsored by Newtown Forest Association (NFA, newtownforestassociation.org). Rain cancels. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and to register: contact Aaron, aaroncoop@gmail.com

Saturday, June 7. 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM.

Little River North Trail and Samuel E. Hill Little River Preserve. Hike the Little River Watershed where we will look for sandy scour beyond the banks as evidence of past flooding and discuss the fact that 87% of Redding lies within existing water supply watersheds. Expect several wet trail sections. The total distance: 4.8 miles. Meet leader Stuart Green at the Palus Trail trailhead near #15 Long Wall Road (a cul-de-sac off of Newtown Turnpike) to spot cars and carpool to the Little River North Trail by #61 Pheasant Ridge Road (a cul-de-sac off of Sunset Hill) to begin the hike. Sponsored by Redding Conservation Commission (www.townofreddingct.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Stuart, (203) 216-9584, shgreen@optonline.net

Geocaching

Saturday, June 7. 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Bennett’s Pond State Park. Come discover the basics of geocaching, a treasure hunt in the woods using a handheld GPS. Fun for the whole family! Bring a GPS enabled phone or device if you have one, but not necessary. Expect a 2-mile adventure and bring water. Trails could be muddy; please wear appropriate footwear. Meet leaders Allison Archambault and Mendy Polchinski at the parking lot on Bennett’s Farm Road (marked with a sign), which is about 0.75 miles from the stop light on Route 7. Sponsored by The Discovery Center at Ridgefield(ridgefielddiscovery.org). Rain postpones to June 8, 2:00 PM. Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Allison, 203) 240-7897, aaa@warwickgroup.com

Educational Walk

Sunday, June 8. 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Hemlock Hills. Enjoy a delightful hike concerned with fungi and mushrooms. By immersing ourselves into the world of more intimate details on Earth, you may not realize this walk being the slowest hike of the weekend. Join the Connecticut-Westchester Mycological Association(COMA) with the support of the Ridgefield Conservation Commission for this extraordinary expedition. The total distance: 1.5 max miles. Meet leader Zaac Chaves at the North Shore Drive entrance. Please consider carpooling or bicycling. Sponsored by COMA (comafungi.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions and to offer/request carpools: contact Zaac, (203) 571-8866, zaacis@gmail.com