Many thousands of years ago, the geological area known as the Killingworth Dome was formed. Within this area's many depressions, melting glaciers, streams and rivers gave rise to vernal pools, fresh water marshes and red maple swamps. One such swamp contained a peat bog. This bog took up about two or three acres, and the tannins and acids released by decomposing peat moss, or sphagnum, within the bog created a bacteria-free, nitrogen-poor environment, one that could only be utilized by a select group of plants. Somehow, those plants found their way to this habitat, their seeds perhaps left behind by the receding glacier, or delivered by the wind.
Enter the settlers, who cleared the area around the bog to create a mill pond. A dam was built to hold the water. The mill, remnants of which are still in existence, was located a few hundred yards downstream from the outlet. The surrounding soil was sandy, creating the perfect medium to allow the expansion of the bog plants into this now open and wet environment. Periodic flooding and draining of the land alternated the habitat between pond and meadow. Thus, the forty acre area came to be named Pond Meadow. The road that goes through it is called Pond Meadow Road, and the brook draining the area is Pond Meadow Brook. The area's full name now is the "Pond Meadow Natural Area".
At the turn of the century, another important change in the land occurred. Cyrus D. Evarts and his family, who had purchased Pond Meadow, removed the swamp "muck" down to the level of the underlying sand. They ditched the area to keep the water table below surface and planted cranberries. A section of it has been a cranberry farm ever since, still worked by the Evarts family on the adjacent parcel, who keep their Killingworth Cranberries on the market!
The practice of flooding and draining the area, along with keeping down the encroaching red maples, has created a sanctuary for some of the rarest plants in our state. One plant is found at only one other site and represents the only plant of this family found in Connecticut. Another, an orchid, is even more rare! In addition to the endangered plants, a State listed bird nests along the edge and at least two rare butterflies have been consistently found flying over the meadow in the summer.
Through the generosity of our townspeople, agencies, clubs, government, and other outside organizations and individuals, we not only raised the money to purchase the bog, but have created an endowment fund for its upkeep and a buffer fund to purchase the surrounding open space should it become available. We started with 19 acres and it's now up to 42. The Pond Meadow Natural Area Committee was formed to restore and maintain the habitat and to facilitate the use of the area for research and public programs. While to protect the rare plants we have had to make it off limits to individuals, regular guided tours are offered, along with our annual autumn cranberry harvest for our members and residents.
Dam built in the mid 1800's. Still in use today.
Remains of the old shingle mill used in the 18th century.
Bog in winter.
The carnivorous pitcher plant
Horned Bladderwort
Bog Clubmoss
Virginia Meadow Beauty
Questions about our bog? Contact PMNA Committee Chair, David Gumbart
BOG'S A'BURNIN' !
Read about the....
To the right is a
Bog White Violet (Viola lanceolata), photographed by John Himmelman on a CT Botanical Society trip to the bog on May 20, 2006.
This plant is fairly widespread throughout the bog; in flower from early to late spring. As its common name suggests, it's habitat is wet places.
The CT Botanical Society has been exploring the Pond Meadow Natural area for many decades and are responsible for documenting much of the rare (and common) flora found there. They also made a large donation to help fund the Land Trust's purchase of the bog.
Connecticut Botanical Society hard at play.
Visit their incredible website here.
June 30, 2006
Frank Gallo and kids from Milford Point's CT Audubon Summer Nature Camp try out their homemade nets in the bog. We caught, identified, and released (unharmed) a number of species of dragonflies and damselflies.
October 14, 2006
Killingworthers gathered on this beautiful autumn morning to pick cranberries. About 200 people of all ages picked over 200 pounds of berries, which they got to keep. It was a great day spent with old friends and new friends. Read more in Killingworth Today.
Photo: Dave Gumbart
2007 Cranberry Harvest a Great Success!
Beeeeautiful weather!
Old friends seen, new friends made!
Delectible edibles!
Over 100 lbs of cranberries picked and brought home!
What more can you ask for? Dave Gumbart, our "Chairman of the Bog" wrote about the event for Killingworth Today - Here's a link.
