Zach Naley

Gilbrook Natural Area is a small reservation in Winooski, Vermont. This area is of interest to me because it’s a dense, woody area with a small pond in the middle of a very developed area. Small preserves at lower elevations usually receive intense pollution and environmental harm, but this reservation is near the highest point of Winsooski, so I’m curious about the health of this forest. A small pond in the preserve also could serve as habitat for a large amount of wildlife, and I’m curious if urbanization affects the amount of wildlife in this preserve.

To get to Gilbrook, head to the rotary in Winooski and take the exit onto E Allen Street. Turn onto Dion Street, then Lafountain Street, and finally Gilbrook road. This road leads to the entrance of the reservation, and the pond and forest can be seen immediately from the parking area. 

Around five feet offshore of the pond, the perimeter contains a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. Immediately next to the pond there are marshy plants, and one spot on the northern side of the pond has an abundant concentration of reeds and tall marsh grass. The most common woody plants are sugar maples, red maples, white oak, and eastern white pine.