Back at my original phenology spot in Centennial Woods, there are some interesting elements of historical human land use that demonstrate the complex socio-ecological systems that have existed there for centuries.
To begin, the woods were originally inhabited by the indigenous Abenaki Tribe of VT who practiced seasonal migration, subsistence farming and banded together to form local governances of the land (Brooks, 2020).
The first Euro-American settlements in the 1600s led to deforestation to support the agricultural economic growth of sheep farms and eventually dairy farming by the end of the 19th Century. Evidence of this can still be seen today by remnants of stone walls and barbed wire (Brooks, 2020).
After the decline of these agricultural endeavors the farmland that is now centennial woods was sold and subdivided in the late 1800s. Over time UVM purchase this real estate and initially owned 216 acres. This land shrunk due the government using Eminent domain and the 5th amendment to take the land for public use (the construction of Interstate 89). Fast forward to the 1970s, UVM sees much of this land and the surrounding areas is being harmed by development of Burlington and the University so it adopts Centennial Woods as one of its 9 “natural areas”. Essentially, in 1997 Centennial was conserved in perpetuity. UVM donated the development rights of the land to the VT Land Trust and gained more of the land under the terms of the conservation easement that limits development except for permitted uses such as digging soil pits for educational purposes and trail maintenance (Brooks, 2020).
Today, Centennial Woods Natural Area serves as an important outlet for locals due to its close proximity to the UVM campus as well as greater Burlington. As stated in the one of the field guides published by the UVM Environmental Program, “It will take on increasing significance as open space in an around Burlington decreases and urbanization pressures increase” (Borie, 1997, p.7).
Borie, L. (1997) Field Guide: The Changing Landscapes of Centennial Woods Natural Area.: Environmental Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmsc/Centennial%20Woods/Changing_Landscapes_Centennial_Woods002.pdf
Brooks, C. (2020, September 10). NR 001 lecture: Centennial Woods. University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.