I have learned so much about the human history of not only my phenology place, but also about what human history means for the natural environment in general. All of the traces that we leave and lasting impacts that we have on the land everyday make a difference and really contribute to the health and future of the land and natural environment.
My phenology place in Centennial has a lot of human history, some of which can even be recognized through observations today. Geological, ecological, and cultural forces have resulted in the current landscape of Centennial. However, humans have also contributed to it as well. From the first human settlers to now. The Paleo-Americans were the very first human settlers in Centennial, before the glaciers and ice sheets and the Abenaki. Eventually European-American settled down there and transformed the forested landscape with mass deforestation. The land was used agriculturally for sheep which can be seen through the stone walls, and for dairy operations, seen through barbed wire.
Eventually however, the woods was bought by UVM in an act towards the growing concern over the degrading natural environment. With the exception of the federal government taking away 19 acres to build Interstate 89, Centennial Woods has since been reforested and a natural recreation area for the City of Burlington and the University of Vermont.
One of the most important things that I have learned about human history and land is the importance of recognizing all the different stories and people that have lived on the land, not only the glorified ones. It is important to dig deeper and really make sure you are recognizing the whole story because otherwise you are not getting the whole truth. For example, the Colonizers and the Abenaki who have very different views when it comes to living and using the land. The colonists left a lot more traces on the land than the Abenaki, and were more glorified for having history there. However the Abenaki were actually here for way longer and actually have way more history with the land.