The Future Looks Bright
This week, Steep Rock hosted a summer celebration at our Mnuchin Family Pavilion for staff and interns from conservation partners across the region. As part of the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative’s annual intern gathering, over 20 students participated in a hike to the Macricostas Lookout, shared stories over pizza, salad, and ice cream, and offered passionate insights about their diverse experiences. Over the summer, these bright, engaging, and enthusiastic interns accomplished everything from building sustainable trails to crafting public policy to working in community gardens to end food insecurity. They banded kestrels and purple martins and searched for elusive native crayfish and bats, tackled pesky invasive species problems and inventoried forest structure and composition to enhance climate resiliency. They informed the public about protecting cherished rivers, engaged kids in fun outdoor learning experiences, and shared their experiences on social media, websites and newsletters. We are proud of the contributions these interns are making to conservation and grateful for the organizations that provided these opportunities, including the Housatonic Valley Association, Kent Land Trust, Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy, Connecticut Land Conservation Council, and Aton Forest Inc. Reflecting on the evening’s events, I remain inspired and confident that younger generations will lead the way in creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.
See you on the trails,
Brian Hagenbuch, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Meet the 2026 Steep Rock Association Interns!
Each summer, Steep Rock Association’s 10-week paid internships immerse high school and college students in meaningful, hands-on conservation work. This year, SRA’s interns constructed new trails, experimented with alternative treatments to reduce invasive mugwort, helped grow and distribute over 2 tons of vegetables for local food banks, rebuilt portions of our website, assessed the presence of crayfish species in preserve waterways, and continually inspired our staff with their knowledge, wit, and can-do attitude! We are incredibly grateful for their enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to our mission and welcome the next generation of environmental stewards. >Meet the Interns
Bee Brook Thermal Refuge Helps Fish Survive the Heat
Another cold-water conservation project in the books! If you saw last month’s e-news photo of fish crowding into a cold-water seep to escape the heat, that’s the very spot we’ve just improved: the Bee Brook confluence in Hidden Valley Preserve, one of the most critical thermal refuges for fish in the Shepaug River. As summer heat waves and droughts intensify, fish in large rivers increasingly rely on colder water from groundwater seeps and tributaries to survive. Through riverbed modification, boulder installation, and wood addition, we increased cold-water flow at this refuge 40-fold – and saw fish using it immediately during the next hot July day. The refuge was tested by recent near-flooding conditions and held up perfectly. Huge thanks to Trout Scapes River Restoration LLC – our 4th project with this expert team, and to our partners: Housatonic Valley Association, DEEP Fisheries Division, Trout Unlimited, Washington Rod & Gun Club, Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation, and the community members who made this stewardship possible.
August is National Make-A-Will Month
The trails you hike, the forests you explore, and the landscapes you love are here today because generations before us chose to protect them. If Steep Rock has been part of your story, consider making it part of your legacy. By including Steep Rock Association in your will or estate plans, you’ll help protect and care for these special places for generations to come. We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about the many ways you can make a lasting impact. Questions? >Learn More
