Alburgh Black Spruce-Tamarack Bog was briefly described by Hub Vogelmann in part 1 of Natural areas of Vermont in 1964. At the time, the area was privately owned. Today, the bog is part of Alburgh Dunes State Park located on the southern end of the Alburgh peninsula. The official brochure says: "The wetland behind the beach includes the largest black spruce bog in Grand Isle County. Black spruce swamps and bogs are more typical of colder, northern climates than of the Champlain Valley, which is Vermont's warmest area. Core samples from the bog reveal peat to depths of more than 8 meters (26 feet). From these samples comes a record of climate and vegetation dating back to the ice age".
I visited Alburgh Dunes State Park on Oct 11, 2021, and again on Sep 30, 2024. Much of the area is impenetrable wetland but the northernmost portion of the park (along Vermont Route 129) includes a mature bog with large shrubs and trees. As the canopy continues to close, I expect the sun-loving herbaceous plants in that bog to dwindle.
My observations at Alburgh Dunes State Park:
Comments welcome!
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