Housatonic Valley Association Explore-a-thon offers trails and local brews

WASSAIC — The Housatonic Valley Association’s (HVA) inaugural Explore-a-thon kicked off Wednesday,  June 1, and runs through Thursday, June 30, with the goal of getting people outside to appreciate the Housatonic River Watershed and raise awareness about supporting environmental health.

People can register anytime throughout the month and venture out solo or as a team anywhere throughout the 2,000 square-mile, Tri-state watershed. While there is no central gathering location, Explore-a-thon registrants may get together with each other by participating in various hikes, nature walks or outdoor activities offered by other community organizations. All events are listed on the Explore-a-thon website.

There are also several competitions like most miles hiked, run or biked, best selfie or best team name. Prizes include a weekend canoe experience for two on the Housatonic River, Patagonia and REI gear, SingleNest Hammocks, a six-month CSA with organic fruits and vegetables and more.

All proceeds will go toward HVA’s critical work in protecting the waterways, lands and wildlife in the Housatonic River Watershed.

“With so many people hitting the trails or meeting up with a through-hiker on the Appalachian Trail in northwest Connecticut and Berkshires, it’s a great time to double the miles for anyone registered with Explore-a-thon who logs a run, hike or bike trip on a trail,” said HVA’s Executive Director Lynn Werner. “This event is the perfect way to have fun outdoors while lending a hand for clean, cold rivers and the woodlands and wildlife habitat so essential for a climate-ready future here in the Housatonic Valley.”

People can also support Explore-a-thon by making a donation or attending a partner brewery event.

To learn more about Explore-a-thon and register, go to www.hvatoday.org.

About HVA

HVA is uniquely committed to achieving climate resilience and environmental health across the entire Housatonic River Watershed, for this and future generations.

HVA works with key partners to restore and protect lands, waters, and wildlife. Spanning just under 2,000 square miles, the Housatonic watershed stretches from the Berkshires in western Massachusetts and the Taconics in eastern New York, including in Wassaic, through western Connecticut and south to Long Island Sound.

Learn more at www.hvatoday.org.

A hiker joined the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) to go in search of a local waterfall recently, and learn about some of the local natural resources within the Housatonic River Watershed. Photo submitted