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Buck Meadow Conservation Area Trails

the pond
Map:  NRPC Map
Map:  Buck Meadow Kiosk Map
Length: Perimeter Loop about 3/4 mile.
              Pond Loop about 1/8 mile.
Identification: 
          Perimeter Loop - White blazes.
          Pond Loop - Blue blazes.
Difficulty: Walking: Easy.
                         XC: Easy.
                    Biking: Easy.
Location: Parking lot and trailhead are located at the old Buck Meadow Golf Course clubhouse.  The entrance is on State Route 101A just west of Veterans Road.
 
Description:  Interestingly enough, the Buck Meadow Conservation Area is largely man-made. Many years ago the State highway department bought and scraped off a huge amount of topsoil to build the elevated local portion of Highway 101A. The deeper portions adjacent to the highway and toward Veterans Road filled in with water then shrubs then large trees forming a habitat we know now as Temperate Swamp habitat hosting turtles and amphibians. A golf course was constructed on the scraped-off area including a man-made central pond, piles of sand that became greens and tees, and drainage canals leading water away from the course. The central area is now a grassy meadow with a shrubby pond and ringed by areas of cat-tail marsh and tree-filled swamp. The ACC will gently continue the man-made theme by enhancing the various habitats for wildlife. This includes mowing the center area only every few years encouraging wildflowers and native grasses for pollinators and bird nesting, food and cover; not mowing a buffer adjacent to the woods to become tall shrubbery for birds and small mammals; piling brush for small mammal cover and over-wintering; keeping the trail from crossing the central area defeating predators of ground-nesting birds; and keeping a watchful eye out (and clippers sharp!) for intruding invasive plants. Keep a watchful eye out for Box Turtles, Blanding’s Turtles, Jefferson Salamanders, Red Fox, Groundhogs, Red-winged Blackbirds, Barred Owls, American Kestrels, Red-tail Hawks and maybe a Bald Eagle perched high in a dead snag watching for lunch.