This page is about the Lloyd Center in Dartmouth. You can also go to the general Dartmouth page for other preserves within Dartmouth.
PDF trail map of Lloyd Center for the Environment
The mission of the Lloyd Center is to instill a life-long respect and affection for nature in citizens of all ages through research and education; to advance a scientific and public understanding of our coastal ecosystems and the need to protect them; and to promote a legacy of natural diversity largely in, but not restricted to, the coastal environments of southeastern New England.
(from their website)
One of the locations we visited in the Spring of 2020 was the Lloyd Center for the Environment. We weren't familiar with them before this visit but knew there were some trails there. And indeed, we had a nice walk. As we were walking back towards our car, we saw a man walking towards us ... and recognized him as the same man we met the previous week on West Island. (link to West Island page) He had told us then that he was inspecting the Piping Plover breeding area. We now learned that is name is Jamie and he works for the Lloyd Center. They (he and other employees of the Lloyd Center) run educational programs in addition to working with the state on endangered species protection. Coincidentally, Jamie is originally from Connecticut and he went to University of Maine at Orono.
Getting back to our exploration of grounds at the Lloyd Center: After a nice walk on a wood path, we came to the section of the map with the causeway and pier. An atmospheric set of stairs leads down to the beach area.
Here is Anne on that beach (perhaps a generous term for that small area filled with pebbles). Anne is wearing her photography vest, which allows her to carry alternate lenses for the camera.
The real action, however, was a bit further along the trail at Osprey Point. You can certainly guess what was at Osprey Point: an Osprey nest.
The symbol for the Lloyd Center is an abstract representation of an Osprey. This picture is in Black and White since it shows up better that way:
Sure enough, there was an Osprey there.
An Osprey's talons are impressive, particularly when the Osprey is keeping a watchful eye on you.
We were able to watch some graceful arial maneuvers, such as when it banked in flight.
Meanwhile, Anne was investigating the light shining on Spring growth.
There are more pictures we could share, but we will leave you with one more Osprey picture.
Jamie (the Lloyd Center Research Associate mentioned above) told us that they have some additional property on the other side of the street, which we checked out but don't have any pictures to share with you from that section.
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Updated April 2021