These essays were previously posted on the Friends of Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge site. I am the President (and website admin!) for FoW, and live near the Refuge.
Carmans River
Carmans River Geologic History
Did you know that Carmans River is approximately 14,000 years old? It was formed by a glacier thousands of years ago. The story starts with the Atlantic Coastal Plain — that area of the continental shelf that is above water, including Long Island. It is composed of Cretaceous and Tertiary period sedimentary rock that was…
Carmans River Pre-Recorded History
Ecology Pre-European Colonization After the glaciers receded about 12,000 years ago, the land around Carmans River came to life rapidly, as both plants and animals moved to take advantage of the new ground. It is likely that the first vegetation in the area was tundra and spruce-fir, as it was still very cold and wet. …
Carmans River in Colonial History
The arrival of Europeans changed many elements of life on the river. The Native Americans called it the Connetquot or Connecticut, meaning “long river;” the settlers called it the East Connecticut, the West being today’s Connetquot River. Europeans brought with them entirely alien plant and animal life, as well as strange notions of land ownership…