Since my last visit the the brook in Centennial Woods, there has been a massive amount of change in terms of phenology and natural elements. The snow we’ve gotten over this past week had a large impact on the area; it covered the brook to an extent, as well as the entire ground surrounding the water. The paths and foot bridges are all covered by white powder, as are the soil and vegetation on the ground. This made the normal path inaccessible, so some unknown person had moved a foot bridge to go over the brook as a means of continuing through the woods and the unseen path. Only a small area of the brook is uncovered and open to the naked eye, and part of the water is iced over due to the cold temperatures; the ice was a cloudy/murky white color, and the brook itself was relatively clear with little tea-coloring. The trees were all bare and there were no leaves in sight; the snow covered everything with vast whiteness. Compared to the last visit, there were hardly any signs of life in the snowy fall. There was nothing in the water-no minnows or water bugs were swimming like before. The area was very silent and peaceful except for occasional bird calls; at one moment, a large flock of geese that are in their migrating season flew above the brook area of the woods, on their path for warmer areas. There were also tracks of an animal in the snow at one point; they belonged to either a deer or a rabbit, it was hard to determine.
When thinking about my personal sense of place, my mind automatically goes to natural areas-this certainly includes the brook in Centennial and the woods as a whole. This small area of the woods is a welcoming place, but the forest as a larger entity also is encapsulated in my sense of place. The solace from campus and urban life in Burlington is needed, and I love to be in the environment and the fresh air. Forests are beautiful places full of life and wonder; from different tree and plant species to a variety of wildlife, they are almost magical. Throughout its history, Centennial has experienced a lot, from deforestation to purchases by companies, to UVM ownership and protection. Now, it is a UVM sanctioned natural protected area, but there are still acres open for development, so certain parts of the woods may be altered for those sakes; my place here can be affected by these changes negatively, so my sense of belonging may not be the same in the future. I hope this is not the case, however.