Over time centennial woods has gone through many phenological changes. I have watched my cite lose leaves preparing for the long Vermont winter. I have watched winter take its course and the organisms that inhabit Centennial make an appearance that we were able to track through tracks and scat. Now it is spring in Burlington and buds are starting to appear on trees and plants start to peak out from the ground.
There have definitely been changes in Centennial woods due to storms, many trees and branches have been blown around and end up on the path.
The major landmark that I have become familiar with in Centennial Woods is the stream that runs between the trees. It has also been interesting to watch the seasonal changes that the stream has gone through.
There is a strong interconnectedness of nature and culture. We have learned throughout NR 1 and 2 about the Abenaki people whose land this was before the university’s and the relationship that they had with nature. We have learned about the culture of the Abenaki and the personal connectedness with the land compared to the white settlers who viewed land as a commodity or something to conquer.
I do feel like I have started to form a connection with Centennial and find myself a part of this place. I will say that feeling like a part of something takes a while but I do feel a greater appreciation for Centennial woods then I did at the beginning of the year.