Dear Steep Rock Community,
It’s been a “stormy” few months! But Steep Rock is still here for you.
We are here for you during the pandemic. In March we had to close our offices but vowed to keep our preserves open as a place for you to get outside and recreate in nature. We kept our staff working, adapted to meet stringent guidelines, and prioritized the health and safety of our visitors and volunteers.
Over the summer, we have been here for you as our preserves have welcomed an unprecedented number of visitors. We’re thrilled that you are hiking, relaxing, enjoying our scenic vistas, reflecting alongside the Shepaug River, and getting outside. And we’ve done our best to make sure you have safe trail conditions to enjoy your experience.
When the storms of August rolled in, we have been here for you. Tropical Storm Isaias wreaked havoc on our idyllic preserves and left much of the area without electricity for days. Within 12 hours of the storm’s abatement, staff and volunteers were assessing damage, clearing debris, and removing more than 300 downed and dangerous trees from our 43-miles of trails.
We are here for you to enjoy nature and demonstrate how we can live in harmony with the natural world. Significant work at Macricostas Preserve this summer included completion of the Pinnacle trail, construction of a beautiful staircase to Bee Brook, and installation of a beaver device to reduce flooding. Look for a new boardwalk and viewing platform this fall.
We are here for those in our region who need fresh food. Judea Garden has already produced and distributed over 1,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to local food banks.
We are here for you… but the costs of the pandemic and recent weather events have been expensive for Steep Rock. These storms have significantly increased our costs and strained our existing resources. We had to cancel our camping season as well as critical fundraising events due to Covid. As a result, we have not been able to raise revenue through our normal channels.
With over 5,200 acres preserved forever, we will always be here for you. So… can you be here for us?
As a nonprofit organization whose operations are funded entirely through donations, we count on your support to help us through stormy periods. As we near the end of our fiscal year, we need you to be here for us by making a donation today.
If you have already donated to Steep Rock this year—Thank you! Thank you!! Thank You!!! If you have not yet donated, or would like to add to your existing donation, we could sure use your help. Your contributions help us maintain our preserves and programs for everyone, regardless what storms we face. Thank you!
See you on our trails,
Brian E. Hagenbuch, Ph.D.
Executive Director
