This past Saturday, I took a walk in Centennial Woods and visited my Phenology site. From my first visit in early October to now, I have definitely noticed changes. The most obvious phenological change was the lack of leaves. As we enter stick season, there are few remaining leaves. The lingering pockets of foliage continue to show vibrant red and brown fall colors. This time of year, deciduous plants have begun to shut down in preparation for colder months. These plants absorb as much energy as possible from fading leaves to conserve resources. The nutrients is stored for later use in their roots. A small Norway Maple at my site displayed beautiful golden-yellow leaves. Since my last visit, I have also noticed some significant changes in vegetation. There was a new blanket of fallen leaves that had not covered the ground as heavily in October. There were also far fewer bushes and shrub-like plants in the understory. I noticed a bit more mud and wet moss in the surrounding areas of the stream, likely due to the recent rainfall. The water in the surrounding stream was much colder due to the recent drop in temperatures. After sitting at my site for fifteen minutes I noticed that there was a lack of wildlife. I only noted a few water bugs in the stream and birds passing by overhead. I think that this is most likely due to my phenology site’s proximity to urban development. There is a small town directly up a hill beyond my site.

Centennial Woods is one of the most frequently visited UVM natural areas. The area contains over 65 acres of diverse land, with mixed hardwood and conifer tree species, wetland areas, fields, and streams. It is located in Burlington and is only a ten-minute walk from campus, making the natural area very accessible to students. Centennial Woods is a result of the complex interaction between natural systems, human-driven development, and shifting views of environmental values over time. The current landscape of Centennial woods is a result of dynamic change over time: Geological changes from erosion, mountain change, and glacials, ecological changes from wildlife and plants, and cultural changes from pollution and a changing climate. After doing some digging, I found that Centennial Woods was previously owned by C. Baxter Est., H. Stevens, Hickok Est., and the Ainsworth family and was used for agriculture. Evidence of its land use history can be seen from the remains of barbed wire, which was most likely used to fence in sheep. Today, it serves as an area for recreation and a natural laboratory for students to study Vermont’s plants, animals, and natural processes. An extensive system of trails wanders and loops through the woods, showcasing its beauty and offering visitors a sample of the natural communities and landscape. Students in the Rubenstein School like myself use this area for classes and fun. Apart from my classes and labs, I often visit Centennial Woods alone or with friends as an escape from life on campus.

My phenology place is about a five minute walk beyond the trailhead of Centennial woods. It can be found by passing the evergreen clearing, and the bridge over Centennial Brook, in the crossroads opening. My place is down a slope, where Centennial Brook runs along a small trail. Here, small bushy vegetation and fallen autumn leaves surround the stream. The sound of the shallow water crashing against rocks and frogs croaking can be heard. The change in seasons can be seen in the leaves which have begun to change into shades of red and orange. The vegetation here is dense as bushes and smaller plants compete for sunlight under the larger trees above. Some of the plants and trees identified include, a lady fern, barberry bush, paper birch, black cherry, red maple, and a yellow birch! During the first Centennial woods self guided exploration, I stumbled across this spot. I remember it being a lot hotter and sunnier then. Overall, I chose this place for my project because It felt like somewhere I would be happy to return over the next few months. While nature is abundant in Vermont, it is not very accessible to students who do not have cars. This makes the preservation of Centennial woods all the more important. Most of us are aware of the effect that the natural world has on our well-being. Spending time in nature can be incredibly calming. Being in natural spaces such as Centennial Woods is an escape from the stress of school. However, the health of the woods is threatened. 67 acres of this site have been permanently protected by UVM and the Vermont Land Trust, yet much more of this sensitive area remains largely unprotected! Stormwater has caused bank erosion and pollution in the centennial stream which runs through my site. Stream morphology shifts more radically in response to the stormwater inputs, impacting channel stability and water quality.