The problem with wetlands is that they are wet. Ok, even I know how stupid that sounds. But the point is that unless there is enough water to float a canoe, wetlands can be hard to explore. Boot sucking mud can take the fun out of the most thrilling wildlife siting and it's hard to get excited about the rare plant you've just found when you feel you're standing in quicksand.
Fortunately, there is a remedy. It's called a boardwalk. A slightly elevated wooden structure that allows you to walk thru a wetland with dry feet. They are most often found in popular nature centers where lots of visitors can justify their relatively high cost of construction. Recently, the stars aligned to allow a small but very interesting boardwalk to be built on property owned by Merck Forest, adjacent to the Mettawee Community School in North Pawlet, Vermont.
There was a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 7th. A few days later Gwenne and I were treated to a private tour of the installation with family friend Chris Hubbard. Chris works in education at Merck's main campus in Rupert but she has been spending a lot of time overseeing the birth of the boardwalk. She should be proud because the project turned out great.
Merck bought the 148 acre parcel in 2020 with funding help from the Vermont Land Trust. It provides a buffer between the school and the neighboring Deer Flats Farm where the Hulett family milk over 800 cows. This is just west of the intersection of Rts. 153 and 30 in the town of Pawlet, Vermont. To the east is the iconic three mountain skyline of Haystack, Middle and Bald Hill.
Merck's property stretches back towards Indian Hill with a tributary of the Mettawee River originating at the hill's base and flowing thru the wetland in back of the school. There are also several small open fields here that may be used for hay by a local farmer in the future. One issue that will be addressed is invasive reed canary grass which has choked out native shrubs. I did see some alders and red-osier dogwood along the walk. Blue jays chattered away above us and the crew who built the boardwalk had the company of a snapping turtle during construction.
Black locust planks provided by a local Amish sawmill were used in the build. It's wide enough for wheel chairs and pretty much level. Only one small section was elevated enough to require railings. Especially pleasing is the organic way the path curves and winds. Materials and design make it feel a part of nature. I didn't get the names of everyone involved in the creation of the structure but it was definitely a collaborative effort and a great job by all.
If I had a chance to go to school again it would be at the Mettawee Community School. It's designed to mimic the connected style of Vermont farmsteads where the house flows into sheds and barns uninterrupted. The entrance looks like and old one room school complete with a mounted bell to call the students to their studies and the layout of the buildings forms a nestled playground in back. Now the kids even have a natural area to roam complete with a just finished boardwalk and a wetland without wet feet!
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