Meet our 2026 Summer Interns

Steep Rock Association’s ten-week paid internship program immerses college and high school students in all aspects of our organizational operations. Our interns make a difference in our community, gain real-world skills in land conservation, sustainable agriculture and nonprofit management – and have fun in the process. Steep Rock’s interns offer valuable support that helps our land trust meet important goals.

These internships are made possible in part by funding from the Perlman Family Foundation and the Washington Scholarship Fund.

Enjoy the gallery below, and scroll down to get to know our Steep Rock-star interns!

Judea Garden Internship

Now in its 17th growing season, Judea Garden has grown, harvested, and distributed over 54,000 lbs. of fresh produce to members of our community with limited financial resources through local food banks, senior centers, and social service agencies. Garden interns help to identify and control insects and diseases, identify weeds and their properties, use succession harvesting through planting for fall crops, harvest and distribute foods, and participate in all garden tasks. At the end of the summer, the interns present a project showing what they learned to the local community as part of our Open Garden Day on August 15.

Sarah Bogen
Sarah is a junior at the University of Connecticut pursuing a B.A. in Environmental Studies. With experience volunteering with Real Food CT, where she learned about organic farming practices, she is particularly interested in sustainable agriculture, food insecurity, and land preservation. Sara was drawn to Judea Garden’s mission to provide food to those in need while fostering community.

Valerie Roof
Valerie is a rising senior at Shepaug Valley School and was eager to expand her knowledge of gardening and the environment. She has experience volunteering with equine therapy sessions and 4-H Club. A frequent visitor to Steep Rock and Hidden Valley preserves, Valerie hopes to major in biology and potentially have a career with the National Park Service and looks forward to the internship as a first step towards those goals.

Van Sinderen Conservation Interns help complete a wide variety of field-based projects, including wildlife habitat improvement, invasive species removal, biodiversity studies, visitor relations, and more. As part of their internship, David and Jocelyn are conducting a crayfish study, the goal of which is to identify species present in rivers and streams throughout the preserves. The purpose for assessing individual stream conditions is to create a well informed conservation plan to protect native species. This is increasingly important given pressures from invasive species, such as the Rusty Crayfish, and the keystone role that crayfish play in our local ecosystem.

Joss Davey
Jocelyn recently earned a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Science from Central Connecticut State University. Her passion for preserving forests and ecosystems guided her studies in biology and chemistry, where she gained experience with laboratory research, data analysis, vertebrate and invertebrate systems, and animal behavior and communication. Driven by a desire to better understand and protect the natural world, Jocelyn hopes to inspire others to appreciate the importance of conservation. She is excited to contribute to Steep Rock Association’s stewardship efforts while expanding her skills in ecological research and land management.

David Caron
David is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Marine Science and is currently pursuing a degree in GIS at Oregon State University. He brings a strong background in ecological monitoring, environmental research, and hands-on fieldwork, including watershed assessment, biological sampling, and conservation-focused data collection. With experience as an aquaculture technician and volunteer field researcher, David is passionate about applying science and spatial analysis to support land stewardship and conservation efforts. He was excited for the opportunity to contribute his skills to Steep Rock Association’s mission of protecting and managing ecologically significant landscapes.

Denise Trevenen Community Engagement Internship

The Denise Trevenen Community Engagement Intern focuses on multimedia development and outreach activities. Projects may include creating marketing and fundraising materials on Steep Rock’s preserves, our history, conservation efforts, and programs and activities.

Katherine Roush
A Roxbury native, Kat has long been connected to local land conservation efforts. She is studying Psychology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, and brings experience in writing, photography, social media, and community engagement through her work with Maple Bank Farm and Litchfield Magazine, and as editor for St Andrews Psychology and Neuroscience Magazine. Kat was excited by the opportunity to contribute to a role centered on community connection, environmental stewardship, and meaningful public engagement.

This summer, Kat has been hard at work at database projects and building/rebuilding sections of our website, joining our field interns to gain hands-on trail and conservation experience while helping to capture video content, and working on a special presentation project for an upcoming event.

Trails and Preserve Internship

This year’s Trails and Preserve Interns have been instrumental in the construction of the Bronson Fields Connector trail removing vegetation, cutting and filling side slopes, setting stepping stones in place, and building crib walls. They helped maintain existing trails, removing trees, digging waterbars, and installing signage. They also set up an experiment to test alternative invasive treatments on mugwort including solarization, hand pulling, and foliar treatments with concentrated vinegar. Finally, they helped with any projects and issues as they arose ensuring a safe and fun visitor experience.

Maya Brown
Maya is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Economy at the University of Rochester. Growing up hiking Steep Rock Association’s preserves, she developed a deep appreciation for local conservation that has been strengthened through her academic studies. Maya brings hands-on experience in ecology, hydrology, geology, GIS mapping, and environmental research, along with strong communication skills gained through campus admissions and outreach roles. She was drawn to this internship because it combines environmental stewardship, fieldwork, and community engagement in a place that has been meaningful to her throughout her life.

Baxter Page
Baxter is a Biology major with a concentration in Ecology at Western Connecticut State University. He has a strong passion for environmental protection and community-based conservation, along with five years of experience as an instructor at Camp Sequassen, a Connecticut Boy Scout camp, where he fostered environmental awareness and stewardship in young scouts. Baxter was drawn to this internship for the opportunity to contribute to Steep Rock Association’s mission of preserving and managing its natural landscapes while gaining valuable hands-on field experience.

If you are interested in joining our internship team for the 2027 summer season, make sure to visit our Internship page in late February or early March 2027 for application opportunities!