April 2026 Newsletter

Nature Is Calling

After a long, cold, snowy, quintessential New England winter, it’s good to welcome mud season and the signs of spring emerging over the Litchfield Hills landscape. Spring is always an exciting season as I get to visit with old friends appearing ephemerally in our woodlands and wetlands. Soon, forest floors will be a bouquet of color, from bloodroot (pictured above) to trout lillies, pink ladyslippers to trillium, anemones to toothwort. Forest canopies will be echoing the harmonies of veery, thrush, and ovenbirds. Our vernal pools will be cacophony of spring peepers and wood frogs. Life is returning to our preserves. Spring is also the perfect season to take a walk in the woods, visit your favorite trails, discover new species, and soak in the sights, sounds, and smells. Access to nature for everyone is our highest priority at Steep Rock and we have several opportunities for you this month—take the hiking challenge, learn about nativar plants, volunteer on our trails or Judea Garden, or support our ongoing efforts with a donation to Steep Rock during Give Local. Nature is calling for you to visit. Let’s pick up and go!

See you on the trails,
Brian Hagenbuch, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Celebrating Earth Month

Steep Rock invites you to celebrate Earth Month and Earth Day events in our community! On April 25, stop by the Steep Rock table at The Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens Earth Day Celebration. We’ll have swag, program information, trail maps, information about volunteer opportunities, and more. We also invite you to take part in the Annual Roadside Cleanup Event sponsored by the Washington Environmental Council. Adopt a roadside, clean up winter debris, and help beautify our wonderful town. Steep Rock staff will be cleaning up Christian Street and our area of Rt 202 on Friday, April 24. Join us.

Judea Garden Kicks Off Its 18th Season

Since 2009, Judea Garden has been providing fresh, healthy produce to those in need in our community. The success of this program relies on our dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly preparing beds, planting seeds, weeding, harvesting, and distributing vegetables and flowers. Join us as we kick off the season with two volunteer opportunities – Spring Clean Up is April 4 and Early Spring Planting Day is April 12. Many more Judea Garden volunteer opportunities will be scheduled throughout the season. Come, get your hands in the dirt, and help support our neighbors.

Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills

Mark your calendar! Steep Rock Association is participating in Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills, a 36-hour online giving event that brings our community together to support local nonprofits. Giving opens April 21 at 7:00 AM and runs through April 22 at 7:00 PM. Funds raised during Give Local are critical to our summer initiatives, such as building trails, enhancing wildlife habitat, improving the climate resilience in our preserves, and providing food to those in need. Your gift during Give Local will be matched and make us eligible for additional prize moneys. Thanks for your support.

Sign Up Now for the Rossiter Run 5K!

The Rossiter Run 5K is just over 6 weeks away! The countdown is on for Steep Rock Association’s Rossiter Run 5K at Steep Rock Preserve, and now is the perfect time to start training. Begin with a few easy runs or walks each week and explore the scenic trails of Steep Rock’s preserves as you train. Race day will be here before you know it — and there’s nothing better than crossing the finish line feeling strong, accomplished, and connected to your community. >Events

If you aren’t a runner but still want in on the fun, we are always looking for volunteers to pitch in at the race, please let us know here!