©2007-2008 The Willowell Foundation
PO Box 312
Bristol, VT 05443
(802) 453-6195
Website by Emily Watson-Blagden, Willowell Foundation A*VISTA 06-07
The Willowell Land
Virtual Land Walk continued:
Valley Clayplain, Low Woodland and Fields,
and Pond Brook Wetland
Valley Clayplain Forest
From the South-Central field, we arrive at Willowell’s Valley
Clayplain forest. This endangered and rare forest type is unique to the Champlain Valley of Vermont. More species of tree, shrub and vine grow naturally in the Clayplain forest than in any other forest type in New England, and many of them are found only in Clayplain forests. The Clayplain forest is also home to a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and herbaceous plants. For more information on our Valley Clayplain Restoration Project, Click Here.
Low Woodland
The Valley Clayplain forest eventually gives way to a Low Woodland (above) comprised of northern hardwood trees and evergreens such as balsam, white pine and spruce. A small trail network winds its way through this area. A large portion of the low woodland is an extension of the Wetland and includes wet-loving trees and shrubs as well as wetland vegetation such as reeds, sedges and cattails. Fallen and decaying trees and plant material are plentiful.
A variety of edible and medicinal plants are found here, as well as many natural springs and water sources (above).
Among our favorite spots here is “Moss Heaven,” a fragile, boggy area with carpets of deep, fluffy moss. Though Moss Heaven is too fragile to bring large groups to visit it at present, we hope to construct a boardwalk system in coming years. For more information on our Trail Network project, Click Here.
Low Fields
Peeping out of the Low Woodland, one can see the spreading expanse of the Low Fields (above). This area is currently hayed by neighboring farmers, though it is difficult to manage due to how wet it is. The Willowell Foundation eventually plans to reforest much of the Low Fields and to allow wetland plants to return to the moistest sections. For more information on our Reforestation Project, Click Here.
Pond Brook Wetland
We arrive, finally, at the edge of the Pond Brook Wetland. The wetland area extends from the Low Woodland all the way to Pond Brook, which forms the eastern boundary of the Willowell Land. Pond Brook flows north out of Bristol Pond and eventually joins Lewis Creek on its way to Lake Champlain. It is an integral part of the Lewis Creek watershed. This Wetland area is connected with 400 additional acres of wetland conserved by the town of Monkton and the town of Bristol. As such, it is part of a crucial wildlife corridor for many animals and birds. Though the wetland is largely inaccessible by foot, plans are in the works to construct a boardwalk and observation platform in coming years. For more information about Willowell’s Trail Network, Click Here.
