The Garden at 485 Elm
People growing together:
a collaborative community garden in Montpelier, Vermont

River Discovery Walk Discoveries

On a beautiful late summer Saturday morning, naturalist and gardener at 485 Elm, Ned Swanberg, introduced us to flora, fauna, and the river itself. We heard bird calls, identified native, exotic, and invasive plants, and found connections between our watershed and the wider world.

On the Cummings Street bridge, we were wowed to learn that the North Branch, all of Montpelier, and much more were part of the glacial Lake Vermont (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Vermont).

On the Cummings Street bridge, we were wowed to learn that the North Branch, all of Montpelier, and much more were part of the glacial Lake Vermont (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Vermont).

That’s Ned in the North Branch, picking up a piece of wood so we can examine river life. The dam at the Lane Shops once generated power for industry. Now it slows the natural flow of the river to the point that this section is wide and slow with no new natural meanders, almost like a lake.

That’s Ned in the North Branch, picking up a piece of wood so we can examine river life. The dam at the Lane Shops once generated power for industry. Now it slows the natural flow of the river to the point that this section is wide and slow with no new natural meanders, almost like a lake.

A dragonfly larva is developing on the underside of this wood. Dragonflies are among the many insects that live most of their lives in a larval or pupal stage, emerging for only a short time to fly around us, reproduce, and die.

A dragonfly larva is developing on the underside of this wood. Dragonflies are among the many insects that live most of their lives in a larval or pupal stage, emerging for only a short time to fly around us, reproduce, and die.

As the discovery walk ended, the river's spell held us there and our discoveries continued.

As the discovery walk ended, the river’s spell held us there and our discoveries continued.