A collection of mature conifer stands, mixed hardwoods, early successional woodlands and shrublands, streams, and wetlands.  A mowed powerline bisects the area providing open habitat.  A small number of mineral seeps can also be found in the area.  

Centennial Woods is one of the most frequently visited UVM natural areas.  This area contains over 65 acres of mature conifer stands, mixed hardwoods, fields, streams, and wetland areas. Within the city limits of Burlington and adjacent to the UVM campus, this area serves as an excellent natural laboratory to study the region’s plants, animals, and natural processes, as well as cultural history. A well-developed trail system wanders through Centennial Woods, offering visitors samples of the natural communities and landscape features thriving here.   

The University acquired several farms in the area east of the main campus in 1903 and 1908 for future campus expansion opportunities.  What land remained undeveloped eventually became known as Centennial Woods and was designated as a natural area by the Board of Trustees in 1974.  There remained uncertainty as to the exact size of the natural area until 1994 when 65 acres were officially designated with the development rights and a conservation easement on the acreage conveyed to the Vermont Land Trust.  This latter action was taken to assuage concerns about the lack of long-term protection for Centennial Woods.  Five acres were added in 2008 when a co-housing project was developed adjacent to the natural area off of East Avenue.   

Education: Students from UVM use Centennial Woods to study wildlife biology, forestry, geology, and other environmental science fields.  

Ongoing Monitoring & Research: The property contains long-term forest monitoring plots that were established in 2023. Contact natural.areas@uvm.edu to access data or site locations.  

Directions to Carse Wetlands via Google Maps  

Parking and Directions  

Parking for the Centennial Woods Drive entrance to East Woods is limited to a few metered parking spaces in front of the UVM Library Research Annex building, 82 Centennial Woods Way. These spaces are metered by Park Mobile. Free weekend parking is available at 320 Centennial Woods Way. 

Trail Map (In Development)  

Facilities:  

No facilities other than parking; best suited for day use.  

• Size: 70 acres 

• Temperature: 

• Average summer high: 80.1 

• Average summer low: 57.9 

• Average winter high: 26.9 

• Average winter low: 12.7 

• Elevation: 115-170m/375-55 ft 

• Precipitation: 37.53 in rain/87.5 in snow 

• Soils: loamy sands, Adams & Winsor series or Hartland sandy loam 

Stakeholders and Partnerships  

• Vermont Land Trust 

• City of Burlington Conservation Commission 

• City of South Burlington Natural Resources Committee 

• VELCO 

• UVM Police Services 

• VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Storm Water Unit 

Videos and Resources

https://libraries.uvm.edu/research-guides/centennial-woods