The 700-acre Hidden Valley Preserve is mixed forest and meadows with wooded hillsides cascading into the River Valley below .
Macricostas Preserve is 400-acres offering an array of landscapes, as meadows and farm fields blend with wooded ridges and wetlands.
The 998-acre Steep Rock preserve offers hiking trails which follow the river banks and provide access into great hiking trails.
Our goal was to provide fresh produce for members of our community with limited financial resources.
We offer many trails designated for Hiking & Riding for adventurers of all skillsets.
Campers are surrounded by nature offering tent camping at 3 different sites.
Looking to sit back and cast a line? Steep Rock offers fishing at many locations.
Organized group events of 25 or more people, bring family and friends and enjoy the day.
Join us as we work to keep Steep Rock a treasure for generations to come...
We offer many programs and events such as morning yoga and hayrides at Macricostas...
Are you ready for a NEW hiking challenge. Well you've come to the right place...
Within our Strategic Plan 2020, a key stewardship priority is to manage our lands for biodiversity. In order to accomplish this, Steep Rock Association (SRA) applies science-based knowledge of our land’s natural resources and wild inhabitants. A broad spectrum of research has been performed on the preserves by state biologists, professional contractors, SRA staff, and trained citizen scientists. The data acquired allows us to make informed decisions on all aspects of our mission from prioritizing preservation, planning recreational use, to enhancing habitat. Below is a list of topics SRA has investigated along with acquired data and developed protocols where appropriate.
Thank you for your interest. We are no longer accepting applications for the 2020 season. Please check back in 2021. Are you a high school or college student who wants to gain experience in gardening, conservation, or non-profit administration? Build your resume and gain real-world skills by applying for one of Steep Rock Association’s 2020 …
Seasoned hikers of Steep Rock Association’s (SRA) trails likely remember unique closure signs posted in early spring years ago. Northern goshawks (NOGO), a threatened resident bird of prey in CT, had nested in our two largest preserves and these signs were for the mutual benefit of all users – NOGOs to minimize disturbance at nest …
Born and raised a fisherman, the progression of my year is closely tied to insect hatches. Trout is the quarry of choice and so I often find myself on the banks of the Shepaug River. Keen eyes examine anything in flight, anything swimming, anything floating on the surface, and anything eddying through inside bends of …
Within our Strategic Plan 2020, a key stewardship priority is to manage our lands for biodiversity. In order to accomplish this, Steep Rock Association (SRA) applies science-based knowledge of our land’s natural resources and wild inhabitants. A broad spectrum of research has been performed on the preserves by state biologists, professional contractors, SRA staff, and …
Steep Rock Association trustee, committee chair, and conservation easement landowner, Natalie Dyer, poked into the office this spring possessing some treasure. “It’s an owl pellet!”, she exclaimed with wonder and excitement bubbling up as usual. And a big one at that. Looking down at a roughly 3 inch long and 2 inch wide mass of …
With snowshoes strapped, baggies at the ready, and GPS fixed, I head out into one of Steep Rock Association’s (SRA) preserves characterized as overgrown field rejoicing my career choices and the presence of such preserved land. A cold-water stream runs through it. Seeps percolate from tall grass and alder groves, wind past cedar trees, and …
Bats not only flap webbed digits to get around. They also use echolocation to navigate through their surroundings and capture insects, rapidly emitting high-frequency pulses of sound and interpreting the echo produced when they bounce off nearby objects. This behavior allows for non-invasive sampling through a method known as acoustic monitoring. Detectors housing a microphone …
Peeps and quacks of breeding amphibians are beginning to permeate our woodlands. Follow them and you will find a vernal pool, pond, or stream in healthy spring form. Steep Rock Association has put forth much effort investigating the amphibian community utilizing these aquatic habitats. For those who missed it, below is an article from the VISTA Summer 2015 Newsletter summarizing …
A broad black mass foraging in a foliated landscape is becoming a common sight as Connecticut’s bear population continues to grow. This species was extirpated from the state in the 1800s, seen as a threat to livestock roaming the cleared hillsides. With farms abandoned and fields regenerated, Connecticut again offers suitable habitat for bears. High …
Updated September 1, 2016 All trails on our preserves are in the process of being clipped of encroaching vegetation and cleared of woody material. Oftentimes in mixed hardwood coniferous forest, an eastern hemlock bordering a trail will branch out into the opening and need to be trimmed back. One consideration to take into account is …
Steep Rock Association is a land trust whose mission is to conserve ecologically and historically significant landscapes in and around Washington, CT and the Shepaug River Valley and to enhance the community’s connection with nature.
(860) 868-9131 | info@steeprockassoc.org
PO. Box 279
Washington Depot, Connecticut 06794
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm