Upon my recent walks through the Redstone pines, I really started to appreciate all that this site does for the students of UVM. Though this patch of trees and grass is not the purest, most natural site in Burlington, It provides an illusion of nature that allows many people around campus to temporarily escape their responsibilities, and the stresses of college life. Every day there are people hammocking, talking, doing homework, or even just taking pictures at the pines. Since the human presence at my site has increased, the amount of wildlife in the area has plummeted. The squirrels are still around, but Iv’e seen no rabbits since this winter.

Redstone pines is experiencing a transition, it is shifting towards a less independent and natural site, and becoming more of a resource, at least to the students of UVM. The amount of people present at this point is really a testament to how my peers interact with nature. The smallest, most manufactured, tainted glimpse of natural beauty instantly rallied the entirety of redstone to get outside and enjoy the sun and trees. In this way, I think the culture around campus actually overwhelms the natural presence at my site, but it is the natural aspect of redstone pines that brings people outside and leads to interaction. Interaction means the sharing of culture, therefore I believe it is the accessibility that comes with redstone pines, that really impacts the spring culture here.

I’ve been visiting this site for almost a year now, and I can safely say that I don’t feel any more connected to this place than any of my fellow students. However, I feel as if I understand our appreciation, and relationship with this place more than most others. In some situations, I feel that my observations, and analysis of this site makes it harder to enjoy. Ignorance really is bliss, and it would likely be a lot easier to enjoy the “natural beauty” of this spot, if I hadn’t spent hours upon hours thinking about why redstone pines is not in any sense “natural.”

The Redstone Pines are back in action. The sun is out, and cool winds are moving through the eastern white pines… rippling peoples hammocks like sails on a boat. The sun shines down, then right back up… reflecting off of an empty can of Natural Light. However, its not just the students who are back enjoying the pine trees. The grass has come back, looking healthy and green for the first time in months! The Eastern White Pines are full of color and needles, actually starting to provide some cover from the sun. Unfortunately, there were no flowers, or more brightly colored plants around to add to the ambiance.

Over my spring break I returned home to Ithaca NY, my home town. Full disclosure, towards the beginning of the week I was not very excited to get out into a natural area. I returned home to cold temperatures, and wet, muddy, rainy weather. Yet when I woke up at the crack of 2:30pm on Thursday, I was amazed to step outside and feel a gentle spring breeze accompanied by rejuvenating rays of sunshine. Overnight it had warmed up to 60F and I immediately went on a stroll to one of my favorite natural areas.

Directly below Cayuga lake is Stewart Park, a boring combination of fields, swings, and goose droppings. Although just west of the park is a very pleasant trail, surrounded running along the inlet, by a beautiful area full of woodpeckers and willow trees. I decided that I would walk this trail hoping to find a nice spot to complete this assignment. On my walk, I ran into mostly squirrels, and one very rude looking skunk which I promptly avoided. About halfway along the inlet, a few hundred yards from the park I found a more open, and dry area to stay in for a while. During my time there I could immediately see a contrast between this site and my phenology site in Burlington. The willow trees stood tall and proud, surrounded by various plants including honeysuckle, and what I believe to be flowering buckthorn. I think this pretty accurately shows a difference in my sites; as my Burlington spot, redstone pines simply contains some eastern white pines, which stand alone, scarred by hammock straps, and shamefully surrounded by peoples trash. This is a due to the differing histories of these areas. The trail in Ithaca simply cuts through this natural area, which is right next to water, and leads towards a park. On the other hand, it is clear that the redstone pines are simply placed in the middle of a bunch of buildings, impermeable surfaces, and are victim to much unwanted foot traffic.

I will definitely be returning to this spot over summer, as it was a relaxing and almost surreal experience. On a nice summer evening this walk could be a great way to really see that we are only here as guests on earth, and there is still faith that we can be somewhat gracious to the natural world during our stay.

Upon visiting my site once more, I have started to analyze the ground on the edges of the Redstone Pines. As more and more snow melts, or rain falls, it has become abundantly noticeable that the pines are surrounded by impermeable surfaces. Around the paths and streets the ground is oversaturated with gross water and the grass is starting to die in many spots. Using the wetland, woodland, wildland framework was not much help as I have come to realize this area is simply not very natural at all. I think if efforts were made to strengthen the barriers or increase the permeability between the concrete paths and the redstone pines, overtime the area would be able to grow into a healthier community. However, it is also very small, so finding a way to connect it to any surrounding natural area would also be crucial. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed some changes in the wildlife in the area. while all the birds appeared to have left, the past few days I have been able to admire a woodpecker working away at the same tree. In addition, I have noticed fewer and fewer animal tracks in the snow, This may be due to a decrease in activity as winter goes on longer and longer, or it could be due to the constant water being carried across the area causing inconsistent ground snow coverage.

During my first time returning to my site I immediately noticed a few key changes, the ground was largely covered in slush and water except for a few areas still layered with snow. The areas of snow revealed quite the realization for me, there are actually animals using the Redstone Pines!! There were quite a few rabbit tracks, and while their movement was very sporadic and confusing, I could tell the rabbit was galloping from place to place showing no sense of urgency, then creating these big holes in the snow, possibly looking for food. In addition, I noticed that there were dog tracks, as the prints showed no sign of intent, and walked around with no real intent.  

Throughout my time observing my phenology site I have become surprisingly disappointed with our use of the land here around UVM. When I chose my site I thought it was beautiful, and felt refreshingly natural and healthy in contrast to the largely developed area around campus. However, I have begun to see my site as a testament to the facade of a natural world with healthy ecosystems that has become so prevalent in the area. When the glacial retreat occurred approximately 10,000 years ago it paved way for a beautiful landscape of green mountains and left a beautiful lake. However, development began to erase this beauty, and with peak land clearance about 150 years ago much of this natural green world in the Vermont region was lost. Ecosystems were divided, split, and destroyed. I think that my site is a great example of this and now serves as a reminder to me that the natural world has been marginalized and set aside. The trees are healthy, and beautiful, but they stand alone, between two roads and a parking lot. There is very little wildlife in the area, because it it separated from most other natural sites on campus. At first I thought it was my fault, but Ive spent hours and hours there, seeing only a couple squirrels, and a very disappointed looking rabbit which I can certainly relate to.  On the other side, I do believe that my better understanding of this area, however disappointing it may be, is a testament to the fact that Ive actually learned something in nr001, and have become more aware of the world around me.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/F7YZWrVjuEz

My hometown of Ithaca NY is similar to Burlington VT in many ways, subarus everywhere, vegan sugar… Of course it’s also similar politically, socioeconomically, hell… downtown Burlington was even planned by the same person that designed the ithaca Commons! However, my phenology locations are very different. For my phenology location in Ithaca, I decided on a small island like patch of woods inside of Cascadilla gorge, as it had an interesting soil and surficial geology, as well as being super pretty and undisturbed. The patch of trees is located on a slab of shale that has remained structurally sound, unlike the surrounding rock that had been weathered away by the water in the creek. In terms of plant life the site is composed of small ferns and two striped maples, that have roots working below a crack in the shale, suggesting there could be more soil below the layer of shale. Maybe?On the other hand, my location here in Burlington has a simple soil composition, and is not isolated or undisturbed. It is clear that my Burlington site has seen little weathering, and is able to support a forest with both maple trees and evergreens, while my Ithaca location is geologically messy, due to the weak nature of shale, and the intense water erosion occurring in Cascadilla gorge.

Pls enjoy a nice macro shot I took of one of the ferns at my site. My hands were very cold twas not a good time…

Look! Lovely, lustrous, local, lost leaves…. Later!

Unfortunately I have been sick and stuck in bed with a fever the past week or so…  However after a super fun visit at the health center I felt well enough to make it out to my site again for a nice while so heres what I experienced… Enjoy! 

Over the past few weeks my phenology location has experienced a visible change in terms of canopy cover. The leaves have begun to fall off of many of the trees as it is getting cooler fast.

In terms of wildlife, I have seen a couple squirrels around the site, interacting with the trees. In addition, I have spotted some smaller birds located in the upper branches of the trees.

Attached is my hand drawn map… enjoy!