Steep Rock Preserve

12/26/2024

Steep Rock’s forests and trails clean your air, protect your water, and provide a home for the wildlife you love. They’re where your kids discover their first salamander, where you find breathtaking views while hiking, and where your neighbors come together to connect with nature. These lands thrive today because people like you cared enough to protect them. Every tree, every trail, every birdsong exists because someone believed in conservation and invested in the future.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀.

$10 helps maintain a trail. $100 celebrates Steep Rock’s 2025 centennial with a gift that lasts for generations. Give by December 31 to protect what you love about Washington. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate: https://steeprockassoc.org/donate/

Steep Rock Preserves include: Hidden Valley, Macricostas, West Mountain, and Steep Rock

04/25/2024

When trails flow through a community, they bring better health, peace in nature, and special moments with friends.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝘁. 𝗧𝗼𝗺? On April 25th during Give Local a few generous sponsors are making it easy for you DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT. When you donate to Steep Rock, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙜𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧 during 's 36 hour online fundraiser for local nonprofits!

It only takes a few clicks to 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟳𝗣𝗠 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵. Before you know it, you’ll be blazing the very first trail on newly acquired lands in Hidden Valley! https://tinyurl.com/GLSRA24

Swipe right to see how the trails will flow together in our multi-year Hidden Valley trails project.
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04/25/2024

You open doors for AWE moments every time you give. As a result, you’re providing people from all over New England a chance to create special moments with family and friends in Steep Rock’s preserves.

The clock is ticking. The window is closing. But 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟳𝗣𝗠, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵. When you donate to Steep Rock, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to our generous sponsors Max Power Motors, Jessica Elzea Kogel Conservation Fund, and Ron Garfunkel & Sande Breakstone.

It only takes a few clicks to donate but your gift will bring joy to the community all year round https://tinyurl.com/GLSRA24

04/24/2024

𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵, and with it your chance to 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 to help neighbors in the Litchfield Hills meet one of life’s most basic needs: food.

As Ivana Butera from New Milford Food Pantry points out, healthy, affordable food remains out of reach for many. In the last decade, 10% of Litchfield County’s population was consistently designated as food insecure—a condition marked not just by hunger, but by the lack of access to nutritious food necessary for a healthy life, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

Your support seeds a remarkable story at Steep Rock’s Judea Garden. Every season, this garden grows and distributes over 3,500 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables to neighbors in need and food pantries like New Milford’s.
Together, we’re not only combating food insecurity. We’re helping the Litchfield County community thrive through the power of generosity.

It only takes a few clicks to donate. Before you know it, you’ll be changing lives all year round. https://tinyurl.com/GLSRA24

Thank you for being part of our work of love.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 $𝟮𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟰-𝟮𝟱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀.

04/21/2024

🍃 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚🍃

Farmland is disappearing fast. Agriculture in Connecticut is increasingly threatened by the conversion of farmland into residential and commercial development.

Thanks to the generosity of the Steep Rock Community, we’ve been working with farmers like Patrick Horan from Waldingfield Farm for decades to protect vibrant, working lands through conservation easements. As of 2024, Steep Rock protects over 700 acres of agricultural land on 41 farms and properties.

Thank you for being part of the Steep Rock community. Your support not only protects nature but is also an investment in our local food system, economy, and rural identity.🌾🚜💚

04/18/2024

🌿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🌿
Because of your support, land trusts like Steep Rock Association are able to work within communities to conserve habitat for wildlife and plants, protect water quality, provide equitable access to nature, tackle climate change, and build healthy communities.

But did you know that the impact of your contributions also extends beyond enhancing health and well-being?

Your involvement in land conservation acts as a catalyst for local economic growth and community vitality. Michelle Gorra, Washington’s Economic and Community Development Coordinator, highlights the ripple effect of your generosity.
As visitors are drawn to the beauty of Steep Rock’s nature preserves, they extend their stay beyond the trails. They relax in our cozy coffee shops like Marty's Cafe Washington, enjoy the local flavors at wineries such as Spring Hill Vineyards and Hopkins Vineyard, discover treasures Hickory Stick Bookshop, shop at J. Seitz & Co., and explore our vibrant art galleries. Each visit not only celebrates our natural and cultural richness but also supports local businesses.

Thank you for being part of the Steep Rock community. Your investment not only helps nature, but it also boosts the Litchfield Hills economy. 🌱💚

02/14/2024

As we approach our centennial anniversary in 2025, Steep Rock Association (SRA) is conducting a survey to learn about our community’s interest in the outdoors, experience with SRA preserves, programs, and efforts, and help us launch our next century of excellence. Your insights will help ensure that we stay focused on the experiences and efforts you care about the most.
𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙮: https://steeprockassoc.org/survey/

04/25/2023

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 7𝙖𝙢. The 36 hour online fundraiser sponsored by to bolster local nonprofits, starts today, April 25th at 7am. We invite you to join us and be a part of something truly special!

Thanks to the generosity of , the Dr. Jessica Elzea Kogel Charitable Fund, and Ron Garfunkel & Sande Breakstone, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 $𝟮𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬!

Give Local is a vital fundraiser for Steep Rock, and while this Match Challenge aims to boost the numbers, it’s also about recognizing the remarkable stories that underpin our 98-year history. We invite you to take a moment to view a touching video from Bob Kogel, where he explains why his family opted to become a Match Sponsor for Steep Rock during Give Local for the very first time. His story will move you and give you a glimpse of the profound impact that your support can have on our mission.

We are grateful for every single person who joins us during this event! Together, we can take significant strides towards creating a sustainable future by safeguarding the natural spaces, plants and wildlife that are so dear to all of us in the Litchfield Hills.

Donate now: https://www.givelocalccf.org/organizations/steep-rock-association

Thank you for your generosity and support!

03/27/2023

𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙍𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨:

The Town of Washington is replacing the Tunnel Road Bridge over the Shepaug River at Steep Rock Preserve. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭 - 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱/𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹. This is the usual entrance accessed by hikers. You can access the preserve via Spring Hill Rd. off Route 199/Roxbury Rd. (this is a steep, gravel, single lane road) Parking in the large lot and the riding ring area will be available. Horse trailer access is prohibited. If you are considering a large group outing, we recommend visiting one of our other preserves instead.

We invite you to use this time to explore our other preserves, Hidden Valley, Macricostas, and Johnson Farm preserve are equally stunning. Thank you for your patience as we improve access to our preserves.

12/29/2022

Every acre saved, every trail blazed, every vegetable grown this year has been rooted in the hard work and generosity of the Steep Rock community. Thank you for fueling our conservation mission!

We have big plans for 2023 that include preserving over 200 acres of high priority conservation lands, blazing more trails, completing our multi-use campus adjacent to Macricostas Preserve, and adding exciting activities to your calendar. But we can't do it without you.

Your support sustains and strengthens our work. As we close out the year, we invite you to invest in our conservation mission. It takes less than 30 seconds to give right now online (link in bio): https://steeprockassoc.org/donate. And, thanks to a Matching Gift Challenge from Steep Rock friends, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $55,000 if given by December 31.

11/29/2022

This , You Have The Power To Protect Nature

Your gift allows us to continue our vital work in the Litchfield Hills, which includes conserving land and water, protecting wildlife and ecosystems, expanding trails for outdoor recreation, improving access to healthy food through Judea Garden, and ensuring that conservation has a future by creating a new generation of kids who care. Nature needs us. We need you.

Our goal is to get 50 NEW donors via social media. Donate now and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to a generous group of donors.

Nature Preserve