From our very first lab exploring the Centennial Woods area I knew I wanted to go back at some point. A few weekends ago I spent some time on the trails and enjoying the beauty of the foliage change within the woods. With the ease of accessibility to campus, I’m excited to be able to watch the area change through the seasons relatively closely. 

Centennial Woods is easiest to get to heading out from the Davis Center and walking through the parking lot and along Catamount Drive after crossing the street. From there, just walk until you see the entrance sign to Centennial Woods. Right off the main train when entering Centennial Woods after you cross the boardwalks you’ll reach a clearing in the middle of some evergreen trees. Take a right and you’ll see a concrete wall which can serve as a place mark for the area. The combination of centennial brook, understory growth of shrubs, deciduous trees, some evergreens, and the man made wall full of bright colored paints makes this area an interesting combination of wildlife and abiotic factors both naturally and manmade. 

Some species in this area include boxelder, northern red maple, yellow and paper birch, northern white cedar in the overstory. There are also many ferns and other shrubs, honeysuckle, and some poison ivy on parts of the trail in the understory.