BRATTLEBORO — After a year of work by a variety of committed supporters, the Academy School proudly announces the opening of its quarter-mile nature trail boasting 21 sites, one for each classroom, identified by nature signs providing information created by classrooms.
The trail starts next to the bike rack at the front of the school, extends through the adjacent forest, and ends in an outdoor nature classroom with benches that can accommodate 30 people.
The trail includes stream access where teacher Orly Hasbani's third grade class studied aquatic invertebrates and made a sign to share their findings with the public.
Academy School serves children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Next year, more classrooms expect to study their sites and make signs too. Sites include an old-growth white pine estimated at more than 150 years old, and a stone wall, testament to the forest's history as a pasture just 70 years ago. Most likely the white pine provided shade and shelter for grazing sheep, the school said in its announcement.
Other sites highlight locust, birch, cherry, hemlock, maple and beech trees, ferns, squirrels, amphibians, owls, ecosystems, a bird sanctuary, granite rock, and stream cycles. Each gives space for discovering how the different aspects of our world connect – plants, animals, and minerals, the school said.
The trail was made possible by the Schoolyard Habitat Improvement Grant Program from the Four Winds Nature Institute, which provided $437 for this project.
Research, planning, and labor were provided by Cub Scouts Pack 447, Boy Scout Troop 405, and Four Winds Naturalist Michael Clough. Signs and benches were designed and made by Academy School family Aaron, Jennifer, Adelaide, and Cooper Smith, with help from friends David Greenwalt and Hans Howard.
Local artist and Scout leader Chelsea Roy hand-burnt the trail map sign. Graphic designer John Waitekus made an electronic version of the map. Grant writer and Academy School Four Winds parent volunteer coordinator Tama Stenn wrote and oversaw the project.
The trail is open for all to enjoy. Visitors are asked to respect it for others and obey the posted trail rules.