Celebrating the Earth with Wood Warblers
What better place to celebrate a healthy and hospitable natural world this April than in Washington, CT, New England, the USA, and planet Earth. As always, Steep Rock Association is thrilled to be your host. Lucky for us, we’ll be joined by a few special passerine guests, some just stopping by and others that will be staying awhile.
Listen for the trill of palm warblers announcing their arrival along the Shepaug River’s forested banks. Bouncing about low vegetation and over the ground, wagging their tail in delight, and with a beak full of insects, they’ll tell you how important our conserved land is in a broader geographic context – beyond Washington, throughout the Litchfield Hills, and across the Appalachian Mountains. They’ve needed to refuel after the long journey from Florida, but can’t stay long, with about 500 more, migratory miles ahead to reach their ultimate destination – Canada’s boreal forest.
After bidding farewell, follow one of the steep streams feeding the Shepaug River, like Curtis Brook along the Brinsmade Loop in Steep Rock Preserve, and marvel at its beauty. Ancient trees rise to the canopy above and moss-laden rocks line the carved, cascading course. You might think this is Nature at its best, and the Louisiana waterthrush couldn’t agree more. After slurping down a fat worm, they’ll tell you, through so many whistles, that places like this are critical to their survival and hard for them to find. They’ll be sticking around to raise young before spending next winter in Central America.
Thank you for appreciating the natural world and helping conserve the environment with us. We all, wood warblers included, absolutely depend on it. To support our work and join in our efforts, keep reading below.
Rory Larson
Conservation Science Manager
Intern with Steep Rock Association
Steep Rock Association is hiring summer interns! We are recruiting college and high school students who want to make a difference in our community this summer, gain real-world skills in land conservation, sustainable agriculture and nonprofit management, and have fun in the process. For more information on the positions available and how to intern with us visit or summer internship program gage here.
Monthly Trail Work Party
Saturday, April 17, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Put your hands (and not just your boots) on the trails this hiking season by joining Steep Rock Association’s monthly trail work party. The work party meets at 10:00 a.m. the third Saturday of every month, from April 17 through October. Registration is required please learn more and sign up here.
Planting Day at Judea Garden
Sunday, April 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The soil is warming up and seedlings are calling out to get planted. On Sunday, April 18 from 9:00 – Noon we’ll plant the crops that don’t mind a little cold – in fact, they like it! Kale, lettuce, collards, beets and more are on our list. All are welcome to participate no matter your skills or age (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Safety protocols including masks and social distancing will be in place.
Judea Garden, The Giving Garden, grows and distributes organically grown produce to our neighbors in need. Now in our 13th season, we have helped fill plates and bellies with over 40,000 pounds of fresh vegetables. This could not have happened without our volunteers.
Please register . Contact Denise Arturi (denise.arturi@steeprockassoc.org) with any questions.
Trail Manager Training
Zoom Meeting Room
Saturday, April 24, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Enjoy the outdoors? Have some time to share? Become a volunteer Trail Manager for Steep Rock Association (SRA) and help care for some of the 46+ miles of hiking, walking, and horseback riding trails. Join us for a training session for both new and veteran trail managers. For more information and to register please visit us here.
