October is Bat Appreciation Month.Connecticut’s nine different bat species are simply amazing creatures that play the important role of keeping insect populations in check. Unfortunately, they face a number of threats. This summer, Van Sinderen Conservation Interns Ben Armas and Grace Zona investigated habitat preferences;...
An increase in black bear sightings throughout Town and encounters in residential areas are to be expected this time of year. Bears are actively seeking calorie-rich foods to build fat stores for winter and will take advantage of anthropogenic sources when made available. Please do...
Written by Skylar King, 2022 Judea Garden Summer Intern ...
Have you seen a black bear, coyote, bobcat, fisher, or river otter when hiking in one of our preserves? Prepare yourself for reporting your next large mammal observation. The data you collect will help us better understand species' distribution, population dynamics, and movements. It's as simple as...
Bobolinks are one of Connecticut's most iconic grassland birds and an important part of our heritage. Their population has shrunk by 60% over the last 50 years, and conservation scientists predict that this precipitous decline will continue.A critical threat to bobolinks is the loss of...
Hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are all incredible ways to take in the beauty and tranquility of our nature preserves. As you explore our 47 miles of trails, be sure to plan ahead to ensure a safe and fun experience for you and your fellow...
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...
Much more stirs in Steep Rock Association (SRA) preserves nowadays, and no, I am not referring to the recent influx of hikers seeking respite from COVID-19 constraints. Breeding season is underway for many of the wild inhabitants that call SRA preserves home. It is an especially...
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...
July 8, 2016 The buzz of bees catches my attention while on the trail above the Tunnel in Steep Rock. I give a quick look around the ground to confirm I haven’t disturbed a yellow jacket nest. Yellow jackets usually are aren’t a concern until late...