The Hogback Mountains
The property includes approximately 600 acres of forested land that is
part of the Hogback range, extending about 1 ½ miles along the
ridge. Rising to 1530 feet, the largely undeveloped Hogbacks form the
visual backdrop to the town of Starksboro.
Plant communities and natural features
Hemlock and northern hardwood forests predominate; tree species include
beech, birch, ash, dry oak, maple and the rare red pine.
Vernal pools, wetlands, steep terrain and remote conditions, buffered
on both sides by extensive wetlands.
Forest plant species include blue cohosh, maidenhair fern, climbing
fumitory, wild ginger, and the endangered American Ginseng.
Wildlife functions
Nesting habitat for a variety of forest interior songbird species.
Habitat for wide-ranging and area-sensitive carnivores such as bobcat,
fisher and black bears.
Approximately 200 acres of mapped deer wintering yards.
Habitat for coyote, fox, moose, weasels, turkey, grouse and more than
200 other wildlife species.
Lewis Creek
The headwaters of the Lewis Creek lie in Starksboro, so water quality
on this portion of the creek is important to the health of the creek downstream.
Plant
communities and natural features
The area includes a dense area of evergreens, mostly hemlock and
pine.
Other tree species include maple, birch, bitternut hickory and basswood.
Wildlife functions
The creek provides excellent habitat for trout.
Birds that have been identified in this area include cedar waxwings,
ruby-throated hummingbirds, several warblers, and eastern kingbirds.
The creek also serves as a travel corridor for bears, mustellids and
other wildlife.
A Large Class II Wetland
The property includes 10 – 11 acres at the southern end of a large
wetland complex that covers over 100 acres and extends at least one mile
north of the property.
Plant
communities and natural features
This is an emergent-dominated wetland, with sedges; it’s
borders are ringed with forested and scrub-shrub vegetation.
Wildlife functions
The wetland is used by beaver, deer, coyotes, otter and probably
mink, muskrat, amphibians, reptiles and fox.
This area is an important breeding ground for migratory waterfowl
and amphibian life.
Waterfowl and wading birds in the area include wood ducks, black ducks,
mallards, hooded mergansers, great blue heron, American bittern, least
bittern and rails.
Lowland Forests
Forested land, punctuated by rocky outcroppings, frames the property to
the north and south.
Plant
communities and natural features
Many limestone loving plant species are found in this area, including
wild ginger, white snakeroot, hepatica, wild leeks, lyre-leaved rock
cress, maidenhair spleenwort and several varieties of ferns.
At least 29 different species of mushrooms have been identified.
A large sugarbush to the southeast is in active production.
Wildlife functions
These woods are a stopping place for migratory songbirds.
The forested area to the north of the property provides a wildlife
corridor for animals traveling between the Lewis Creek and the Hogback
Ridge, as well as east to the Green Mountains and High Knob. Animals
that use this corridor include bobcat, fisher and otter.
Open Farm Fields
The property was operated as a horse farm for about 30 years prior to
the acquisition for CGC, and as a diary farm before that. As a result,
the soils are very rich.
If you think you or a group you work with might
be interested in renting out the facilities, please contact us at info@cgcvt.org
or by phone at 802-453-2592 (outside of Addison County call 800-430-2667)
for more information.
Plant
communities and natural features
Plant
communities and natural features
Plant
communities and natural features
