If you’re a student in NR 1, you probably have fond memories of your first self-guided lab in Centennial Woods. Although my spot is in Centennial Woods, it is a bit off the trail, but by following my directions you will easily find it and follow along on this journey. First, you will enter the natural area at the trailhead (past the bike rack and the kiosk), then follow the trail over all of the bridges until you get to a large clearing in a coniferous area. This is a crossroads for the trails, and you’ll know you’re at the right spot if you see a map stapled to a maple tree in the middle. Instead of following the trails up to the right, make a hard left and head downhill towards the stream. Once you have successfully navigated down the steep terrain and are surrounded by ferns, search for a small path that leads across the water. Once your toes are wet at the bank of the brook, you have reached your destination!
When this project was announced in class, my mind immediately thought of Rock Point as my phenology spot, but after considering the fact that I lack transportation, and probably won’t enjoy an icy hour long walk in the winter, I thought of Centennial Woods. Only a short walk from my dorm, I knew these 70 acres of protected land would offer something as special as any other place in the greater Burlington area. After class, I traveled with my friend to this natural area waiting for a plot of land to speak to me, and when I arrived at the trail crossroads, I had a vivid memory of our first lab. Back in August when we were asked to identify patterns, I excitedly ran down the bank to the brook to log the difference in species of plants close to and far from the water. This serene spot on the edge of the brook came to mind when in the clearing, thus it became my spot for this project. While also being a beautiful plot in Centennial Woods, I thought it would be interesting to note the changes in the water. As a Wildlife Biology major, I also hope to document the fauna of the area, maybe even observing various tracks after it snows.
