Vernon Black Gum Swamp Complex is located within the J. Maynard Miller Municipal Forest (Vernon Town Forest) and with- in the adjacent Roaring Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) owned by the VT Fish and Wildlife Department. Vernon Town Forest is a unique forest that contains at least seven swamps supporting black gum trees ( Nyssa sylvatica ). The black gum tree is relatively common 4 miles to the south, but in Ver- mont it is rare, a remnant from the past when the climate was warmer, approximately 3, – 5, years ago. Some of the black gum trees are purported to be over 4 years old. Vernon provides parking at the end of Basin Road and an easy 1.35 mile walking trail through the forest surrounding the black gum swamps. Roaring Brook is used primarily for hunting, hik- ing, and snowmobiling, but has little available access. Want to get involved in helping to protect this wetland? Contact the Vermont Wetlands Program to learn how.
A public meeting discussing efforts to designate the Black Gum Swamps within the J. Maynard Miller Town Forest, a Class I Wetlands was led by Laura LaPierre, Manager of the Vermont Wetlands Program in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the Vernon town offices.
