Centennial Brook

My little spot on centennial brook is very important to me. During the self-guided centennial lab, me and J had stumbled across this area as we were exploring. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and super cool. I remember the first picture I took of this place to show my parents back home. When the sun hits just right, this place feels magical. Other than how absolutely cool this place is, it also relates to what I’m thinking about doing in the future. I plan to have a concentration on wetlands and this spot which is a great combo of land and water can help me explore that further.

Want to see some more rad forest and brook pictures (featuring unidentified animal bones)?? Click this link: Centennial Brook Pictures | Centennial Brook Phenology Project (uvm.edu)

The vegetation here is pretty diverse. Even after visiting here once I have found so many different species. There is a dominant presence of Eastern White Pine as seen by the plentiful fallen pine needles all over the brook and the land (and by the amount I found in my jacket afterwards.) There are also a few younger Norway Maples finding their way in-between the pines. Along with the pines and maples, there’s one healthy big green ash and a cherry tree which is definitely on it’s way out. Other than woody species, there is plentiful vegetation including a variety of ferns, balms, mosses, and some dewdrop. There is also some smoothcap moss on the sides of the brook. In regards to fungi, I was able to spot an orange jelly spot, a deer mushroom, some trembling crust (maybe??), and what seems to be some sort of a turkey tail mushroom (forgive me on my mushroom identification, I am definitely not an expert.)

Directions: As you enter Centennial Brook, keep walking along the path until you get to your first clearing. You will know that you are there when you see the white “POISON IVY” sign and the blue ribbon marking a tree. Face the blue ribbon tree and look just to the right of it where there are two trees forming an “X” symbol. Go underneath those trees and continue to walk down the hill as you hear the stream get louder. Look for the big rock, which is probably covered in fallen pine needles and moss. There you are! Make sure you have some waterproof shoes and get exploring!

Woody Plants:

• Eastern White Pine
• Green Ash
• Black Cherry
• Norway Maple

All other species:

• Citronella Horse Balm
• Lemon Balm
• Goutweed
• Dewdrop
• Sensitive Fern
• Intermediate Wood Fern
• Calico Aster
• Lesser Smoothcap Moss
• Orange Jelly spot
• Turkey Tail (maybe)
• Trembling Crust (Maybe)