April 23, 2023
Blog Post #10
︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵
✩ Sketch ✩
✩ Questions ✩
- How has your site changed over time? Phenologically, and also maybe larger human-caused or storm-caused changes.
Over time, the overall ‘look’ of my phenology spot has not really changed, but there are small differences from the beginning of the year to now. For example, the amount of mushrooms on the log has undulated all year, being eaten and frozen off and growing anew all year. Watching them grow has been so interesting! Also, the path has become more worn down recently as the weather gets warmer and people start to hike and walk their dogs there more often.
- What are the major and minor landmarks you’ve become familiar with?
The most major landmark of my spot is obviously the fallen log with the mushrooms growing on it. It’s so large that even small changes are very visible. Some smaller landmarks are the patch of ferns, the tree with holes in it, and the path leading to the rest of Centennial Woods.
- In what ways do nature and culture intertwine here?
Nature and culture intertwine here in the form of recreation. People mostly use Centennial Woods for walking, biking, and hiking, and this brings people in from all over Burlington and UVM. Many people walk through in groups as I sit in my phenology spot, and the people watching is almost as interesting as the spot itself.
- Do you consider yourself a part of your place? Why or why not?
I would say that I don’t consider myself a part of my spot because every time that I left my spot for breaks, when I came back, it still continued on. I think that it would be a little bit egotistical to say that just because I’ve spent a few moments there that I am now an inextricable part of my phenology spot. My spot is going to continue after I’m gone, and it existed and thrived before my time. This is a comforting fact; that the forest will continue without me.
