SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE-MERRIMACK VALLEY SIERRA CLUB FIELD TRIP
On Sunday, September 22, 27 students from an ecology class at Springfield College, and their instructor, Susan Redlich, together with several members of the Merrimack Valley Sierra Club and friends, participated in a field trip on Hackett Hill. The group visited the Atlantic white cedar-giant rhododendron swamp which is located in The Nature Conservancy's ecological preserve. Also attending the field trip was Shannon O'Brien, a candidate for Governor's Council in the 2002 fall general election.
The purpose of the field trip was to acquaint students with the characteristics of the rare swamp and its surroundings, as well as to learn how the nature preserve is threatened by development. In the picture above, Pat Mattson, Hackett Hill Issue Chair for the Merrimack Valley Sierra Club, is shown as she addressed participants at the starting point for the field trip. She explained how the TNC property, which is home to swamps containing Atlantic white cedars, giant rhododendrons and aged black gum trees, should be highly protected - an arrangement which could be accomplished by having the entire nature preserve serve as a "core", surrounded by a large, forested "buffer zone." She also noted that, at present, the nature preserve is instead threatened by development at its periphery. The City of Manchester plans to build an industrial park south of TNC's property, while the Waterford Development Corporation plans extensive residential development near the property's north and northwestern boundary.
After the introduction, the group hiked along a trail that runs adjacent to Millstone Brook and then proceeded up another trail that leads to the Atlantic white cedar swamp-giant rhododendron swamp. Along the way, and in the swamp, Redlich and Mattson explained various ecological features of the nature preserve, as seen in late summer. At this time of the year, the Hackett Hill swamps contain very little water and students were urged to return at other seasons when water levels in the swamps are much higher.
A few members of the group proceeded further into the nature preserve to view a "bog bridge" which TNC has constructed in another Atlantic white cedar swamp. The bridge will enable visitors to examine various components of the swamp without damaging the delicate vegetation.
The trip served as an excellent "for
instance" for the Sierra Club's proposal that the City of Manchester
use French Hall (a building on the Hackett Hill property which
formerly housed UNH-Manchester) for environmental education classes.
Field trips could then be conveniently arranged toTNC's ecological
preserve, as well as the remainder of the property and any additional
land which may be purchased by the City.
Credits: The photograph was taken by Aline Lotter.