June 2026 Newsletter

6,000

Steep Rock recently reached an amazing milestone thanks to you, our supporters, donors, and everyone passionate about land conservation. With the donation of 5 acres of mixed forest on Fenn Hill Road, we surpassed 6,000 acres of conserved lands and waters, primarily in Washington, but also extending into Bethlehem, Morris, New Milford, Warren, and Woodbury. Even more astonishing is that over 5,100 acres (87%) were donated by landowners wanting to protect the lands they loved forever, as nature preserves or through conservation easements. Our community’s commitment to conservation over the past 100 years protects some of the most awe-inspiring peaks in Litchfield County and enables visitors to enjoy viewsheds along miles of sustainably built trails. Donated lands provide an oasis for biological diversity, including 43 species listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern in Connecticut. And gifted properties sustain our rich history by preserving fertile farmlands, saving historic tunnels, and restoring relics of our past. We are grateful to you and to everyone who contributes to ensuring the rural character and quality of life in our community is sustained now and forever.

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

Remembering Kirsten Peckerman

It is with great sadness that we report that Kirsten Peckerman, an icon of conservation in Washington and the Litchfield HIlls, recently passed away. She joined the SRA Board of Trustees in 2000, bringing with her a generous spirit and a deep commitment to volunteer work in land conservation, education, and water resources. With hiking trails just steps from her home on Sabbaday Lane, Steep Rock’s landscape was a cherished part of her everyday life. Over her 16 years of service as a Trustee, she was a stalwart for preserve stewardship not afraid to get her hands in the dirt clearing trails and removing invasives. She was also a champion for access to nature through our programs and community engagement. She was, by her own account, very happy to have been asked to serve. We are grateful for everything she gave to this organization and to the land we all love and she will be greatly missed.

Weed, Wine, and Work Party with Judea Garden

June 4 marks the start of weekly Weed & Wine Thursdays at Judea Garden! Spend an evening helping tend the garden and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while connecting with fellow volunteers. Looking for another way to get involved? Join us for the Judea Garden Work Party on Saturday, June 6. Help plant, harvest, weed, and care for this incredible community space. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply looking to lend a hand, there’s always something to do, and we’d love to meet you! All produce grown at Judea Garden is distributed free of charge to neighbors in need throughout our community, making every volunteer hour part of something meaningful.

Hike With Us at Steep Rock for CT Trails Day, June 7

Join us for Connecticut Trails Day as we explore the Holiday House ruins and the historic Shepaug Railroad bed in Steep Rock Preserve. This easy 4.2-mile guided hike visits the stone ruins of Holiday House, a summer refuge established in 1893 for young working women from New York City seeking rest and fresh air away from crowded tenements and exhausting factory life.
From there, the trail descends along Tunnel Road beside the beautiful Shepaug River, where hikers will also explore the railroad tunnel carved through bedrock more than 150 years ago for the historic Shepaug Railroad.

Vets Healing on the Fly

Partnering with Vets Healing on the Fly and the Washington Rod and Gun Club (WRGC), SRA was honored to welcome seven veterans to the Shepaug River for a beautiful day of fishing and another step in their healing journey. The act of fly fishing amidst the lush hillsides and pristine waters of Steep Rock Preserve is an unrivaled therapy we are blessed to bestow as just one way to thank our veterans for their sacrifices. Better yet, they often land a strong trout while doing it, thanks to expert guiding from WRGC members. We look forward to being a part of this supportive community for a sixth consecutive year in 2027. Until then, tight lines and heal on! >Photos

Rapid Response on Trail Conditions

While Steep Rock invests considerable resources to ensure our trails are in excellent condition, we will never control the weather. On a beautiful but windy recent Saturday, a visitor reported a large tree had fallen on a section of Tunnel Road frequented by hikers, cyclists, and vehicles. When we receive such notices, we have a team of staff and volunteers who respond as quickly as possible to clear trails, ensure safety, and reopen access. We also rely on you, our visitors, to keep us informed of trail issues. With over 50 miles of hiking trail available to the public, it is incredibly helpful when we receive reports of problems! If you are visiting a preserve and see a potential trail problem (tree down, trail erosion, loose boardwalk planks, etc.), you can report trail conditions online.