Peter Marteka
Sessions Woods In Burlington Has It All For Nature Lovers
October 24, 2008
During my visits to preserves or state parks over the years, I've found there's usually something there that draws you. It could be a spectacular waterfall, a beautiful view, a natural area teeming with birds or a forest filled with century-old trees.
But I've never visited a place that had it all — until I found myself exploring the 455-acre Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington. It's amazing the number of ecosystems this special place packs into the area, billed as an outdoor classroom for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The beauty of this place is that as you walk along each of the six trails, you can read dozens of information boards and interpretive signs.
I heard woodpeckers pounding their beaks into dead trees in search of insects. I saw beavers swimming in the aptly named Beaver Marsh, while an immature bald eagle soared and landed on the limb of a dead tree. I watched with a class from a local vocational high school as a hawk swooped into the forest and plucked something off the ground. I may be dating myself here, but it was like watching an episode of "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom."
The wildlife management area is broken up into several smaller areas, and they all seem to merge impeccably into one grand educational experience. I started along the 2.6-mile Beaver Pond trail. The level, gravel trail is an easy path through the heart of the management area, making stops at vernal pools, spring seeps, and viewing and waterfowl blinds. Every activity is labeled, from the removal of non-native black locust trees to the solar-powered electric deer fences to the seemingly mundane display of water control structures.
Some of the highlights for me included a trip to a lookout tower at the highest point within the management area. After a climb to the top, visitors are rewarded with a view of the hilltops from Avon south to Meriden. Unsure of what you're looking at? No problem — a graphic in front of you points to places like the Hanging Hills of Meriden or Avon's Rattlesnake Mountain.
Another highlight was the visit to Beaver Marsh. Again, the information boards answer just about any question visitors might have about what they are seeing. And boardwalks take visitors into the heart of the marsh, where even changing waterlilies join in the autumn splendor.
But my lasting impression is of a place called "summer house," and a waterfall along Negro Hill Brook. The open air house sits high on a bluff surrounded by white pines whose needles cover everything like a fresh snowfall. The Hanging Hills of Meriden can be seen in the distance. The waterfall is equally spectacular, tumbling over boulders of all shapes and sizes. It's one of the strangest waterfalls I've seen on my travels across the state, with water shooting out from various boulders.
Whether you are 10 or 41, it's never too late to learn about the natural world that surrounds us. And at Sessions Woods, class is always in session.
Visit courant.com/marteka for video of Sessions Woods in Burlington
The entrance to Sessions Woods is located on Route 69, or Milford Street, about 3 miles south of Route 4 and 3 miles north of Route 6 in Bristol. Column ideas and suggestions are welcome. Peter Marteka can be reached by phone at 860-343-5239; and by mail at The Courant, 373 E. Main St., Middletown, CT 06457.
E-mail:
pmarteka@courant.com
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