A High Summer Day in the Preserves
by: Rory Larson, Conservation Science Manager A firmly held tenet of our management approach is that the public’s enjoyment of the preserves derives directly from their natural character and diversity of flora and fauna. Lucky for you, there is no better time than now to experience the full spectrum of the natural world that we […]
2021 Interns
Steep Rock’s eight-week paid internship program immerses students in all aspects of our organizational operations, helping them to build leadership skills and learn about a variety of conservation, environmental, agricultural, and nonprofit career paths. At the same time, Steep Rock’s interns offer valuable support that helps our land trust meet important goals. Meet our 2021 Interns: Judea Garden […]
Observations from Judea Garden
Did you realize that Milkweed has a fragrance? Though we allow Milkweed to grow wherever possible in Judea Garden (it is the single most important source of food for the monarch butterfly), we had never noticed its beautiful fragrance until recently weeding right beside a beautiful clump. Take a second and take a whiff; it’s […]
The Gift of Baby Birds
by Rory Larson The Gift of Baby Birds Every year, Steep Rock Association (SRA) caringly cleans and prepares nest boxes to provide habitat for birds, and every year, SRA staff and citizen scientists then monitor the reproductive success of their tenants. Scientific studies shows that our hard work pays off, and it is one of […]
Bird Box Builders
A Steep Rock Service by Rory Larson Word on the river is there are rent-free, cozy cottages up for grabs in Washington. No AC, plumbing is rudimentary, and the neighbors can be rather intrusive, but the location cannot be beat and there are all the insects you can ever eat! A diverse bird community calls […]
April 2021 E-News
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 […]
March 2021 E-News
Harbingers of Spring Welcome to Spring! As the days get longer, the temperature warms, and bird songs fill the morning air, what is your favorite harbinger of spring—red winged blackbirds, crocuses, fiddleheads, mourning cloak butterflies? For Steep Rock Association, spring means getting outside with you! We are excited to begin offering our slate of spring events […]
February 2021 E-News
Planning Season Photo: Snowrollers in Hidden Valley Preserve, by Danielle Brightman As the snow flies in February and the polar winds blow their seasonal chill, winter means black bears are slumbering in dens, wood turtles are nestling in hibernacula, and juncos are scurrying to scoop seeds off the ice-covered ground. At Steep Rock, winter means […]
January 2021 E-News
Resolution: For the Birds Photo: Peary Stafford Happy New Year everyone. I hope this finds you […]
December 2020 E-News
A Time For Reflection Photo: Joan Mikalson This has been quite a year! It is easy to get lost in the seemingly unending negative headlines of the day. While we recognize the local and global impacts of 2020 events, December offers us an opportunity to reflect on these experiences, focus on the positive and […]
