Flagg Pond Natural Area
Flagg Pond © Bob Klein / TNC
|
Why You Should Visit
In a quiet corner of the Northeast Kingdom is Flagg Pond, a remote and wild place. Visitors are immediately struck that the shoreline is almost entirely undeveloped. The pond is very shallow with a maximum depth of only 6 feet. The shore consists of mats of grassy wetland and dense forest, the most important of which is the distinctive Northern white cedar swamp. There is a distinct and magical atmosphere within Northern white cedar swamps, with their shaggy cedar trees, soggy understory, sparse herbaceous plant layer and an array of luxuriant mosses and liverworts.
Size
102 acres
What to see: plants
Five state-rare plant species such as the ram's head lady's slipper and hidden-fruited bladderwort thrive at Flagg Pond. Other rare species include swamp fly honeysuckle, fairy slipper, and dropping blue-grass. Many of the common species are equally beautiful such as balsam fir, dwarf raspberry, wood sorrel, starflower, stair step moss.
What to see: animals
It is not uncommon to see osprey fishing the warm-water fishery, great blue heron patrolling the shoreline, beavers building their winter lodges or even black bears and their cubs foraging in the swamp.
Why the Conservancy selected this site
Vermont is home to some of the best examples of Northern white cedar swamp in the Northeastern United States. Flagg Pond's 70-acre cedar swamp is among the finest in the state. Though signs of limited logging can be seen, some cedars here are at least 150 years old.
What the Conservancy is doing
The Conservancy worked for two decades before succeeding at protecting Flagg Pond in 2008.
Visitor Information
Please read our preserve visitation guidelines.
Directions
From the town of Hardwick, take Rt. 15 east. Turn left on Rte. 16 and travel 6.5 miles, turning right on unmarked Gonyaw Hill Rd. In 2.0 miles, turn right on Flagg Pond Rd. Access is .2 miles ahead. Parking on left.
Join The Nature Conservancy on