Woodland Stream at Southards Pond Park

Join us for an enchanting nature walk through the Red Maple-Blackgum Swamp at Southard's Pond Park, a journey through a tapestry of unique ecosystems. Our exploration will take us around the serene Southard’s Pond and along the meandering paths of the Carls River and its tributaries, through edge habitats that skirt the waterways and trails. We'll delve into the rare and captivating Red Maple-Blackgum Swamps, cherished gems of conservation nestled within this area.

This swamp is a crucial piece of a larger puzzle, connecting a network of ecological zones that stretch from the maritime reaches of Belmont State Park, a mere 7 km to the north, down to the scenic vistas of the Great South Bay. Southard’s Pond, a kettle pond of great beauty and ecological significance, formed tens of thousands of years ago as glaciers retreated, leaving behind these tranquil waters primarily sustained by groundwater.

As we wander, we'll discover the distinctive button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a marker of the unique kettle pond ecosystem, and explore the swamp's intriguing landscape. Poised between oxbow streams and surrounded by higher ground, trails, and roads, these swamps reveal a world where water and land intermingle. We'll observe the clear demarcation of the littoral zone, where aquatic meets terrestrial, and navigate the microtopography defined by hummocks and hollows, the legacy of ancient trees that once stood here.

Register with the Brentwood Public Library for this walk!

Directions to Southards Pond Park

This walk is hosted by the Brentwood Public Library. See here for more information about the walk from the Brentwood public library.