Garrison School Environmental Education
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • MISSION
    • COMMITTEE CHARGE
    • CREATING STEWARDS OF THE NATURAL WORLD
    • ESSENTIAL DEFINITIONS
    • NATURE'S BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
  • PROGRAMS
    • FOREST FRIDAYS
    • HUDSON VALLEY SEED
    • NATIVE GARDEN
    • SCHOOL FOREST DAY
    • YOUTH CLIMATE SUMMIT
  • SCHOOL FOREST
    • HISTORY
    • VISITOR GUIDELINES
    • HHLT PROPOSAL
  • STUDENT RESOURCES
  • TEACHER RESOURCES
    • BOOKS & FIELD GUIDES
    • EXPLORE NATURAL SCIENCE >
      • ANIMALS
      • CITIZEN SCIENCE
      • CLIMATE CHANGE
      • GEOGRAPHY & MAPPING
      • GEOLOGY
      • INVASIVE SPECIES
      • MIGRATION
      • PLANTS
      • STREAMS, SWAMPS & VERNAL POOLS
      • TREES & FORESTS
      • WATER
      • WEATHER
    • GRANTS
    • HEALTH & SAFETY
    • HOW TO TEACH OUTDOORS
    • HUDSON HIGHLANDS TOPICS >
      • HUDSON HIGHLANDS FOLKLORE
      • HUDSON RIVER
      • LOCAL CONSERVATION HISTORY
      • REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORY
    • LESSON PLANS >
      • GRADES K-2
      • GRADES 3-5
      • GRADES 6-8
      • GRADES K-8
    • ORGANIZATIONS
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  Garrison School Environmental Education

STREAMS, SWAMPS & VERNAL POOLS

streams, swamps & vernal pools

Picture
Blueberry Swamp in the Garrison School Forest
The Garrison School Forest contains three water habitats for study: a stream, the Blueberry Swamp, and a vernal pool that forms in the early spring. Forester Anne Todd Osborn says that the Blueberry Swamp is an example of a highbush blueberry bog. A large, beautiful example of a red-maple hardwood swamp is located along the stream on the Townsend estate property, adjacent to the School Forest.

​Use the guides below to help you explore the stream, swamp, and vernal pool. Learn about the animals and plants that live in these natural communities.

Picture

streams

Hudsonia provides a habitat fact sheet for streams. The New York Natural Heritage Program describes the features of streams,  along with the plants, and animals that live in them:
  • ​Intermittent Stream
  • Rocky Headwater Stream




Picture

swamps

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation defines a swamp as "a wetland dominated by woody plants (trees and shrubs), saturated soils during growing season, and standing water during various times of the year." Hudsonia provides a habitat fact sheet for swamps. The New York Natural Heritage Program also describes the features of swamp ecosystems:
  • Highbush Blueberry Bog Thicket
  • Inland Atlantic White Cedar Swamp
  • Red Maple-Hardwood Swamp


Picture

vernal pools

Vernal pools are small, shallow basins, usually located within an upland forest. Typically, they fill in spring or after a heavy rainfall. The Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies notes that vernal pools "recharge groundwater and subsurface aquifers, replenishing wells and drinking water resources." During summer, they are usually dry. Learn more about vernal pools and the animals that live in them from the:
  • New York Natural Heritage Program
  • Upper Susquehanna Coalition's Vernal Pool Program
  • Vernal Pool Association
  • Wicked Big Puddles Blog About Vernal Pools
Sources

Garrison Union Free School, 1100 Route 9D, Garrison, NY 10524
Phone: 845-424-3689  |  Fax: 845-424-4733

Photo used under Creative Commons from Nicholas_T