The Nature Conservancy - Eshqua Bog Natural Area

Showy lady's slippers in Eshqua Bog.

Visitor Information

A 200-foot boardwalk is the centerpiece of the one-mile trail system at Eshqua Bog. From the boardwalk, visitors can experience the unusual and rare natural history of this plant community first-hand, without impacting its fragile ecology. More information and directions to this natural area.

Do you know the difference between a bog and a fen?

Get Involved

Would you like to get outside and help nature at the same time? Our stewardship staff holds volunteer work days here and around the state. Check out our volunteer page.

Inside Eshqua Bog Natural Area is a botanical world of cold-climate holdovers — small pockets of bog plant species and a two-acre fen — from the post-glacial era 10,000 years ago. This preserve contains a diverse array of bog and fen plants: Labrador tea, cotton grass, pitcher plants, showy lady’s slippers, larches, and buckbean.

Size
41 acres

What to see: plants
This bog, which is technically a fen, supports a diverse community of native plants such as the alder-leaved buckthorn and shrubby cinquefoil. The difference between a bog and a fen is the water source and the acidity of the site. Bogs tend to be acidic; fens are more alkaline. Water flows into bogs solely through rainwater and run-off, while fens are also fed by calcium-rich groundwater.

What to see: animals
A number of mammals use the fen including deer, hares, and red squirrels. Eshqua Bog is also a haven for many species of dragonflies.

Why the Conservancy selected this site
Eshqua Bog is an important example of a fen.

What the Conservancy is doing
Eshqua Bog Natural Area is co-owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy of Vermont and The New England Wildflower Society.

Visitor information
A 200-foot boardwalk is the centerpiece of a one-mile trail system, which both encircles and passes through the bog. From the boardwalk, visitors can experience the unusual and rare natural history of this plant community first-hand, without impacting its fragile ecology. A memorial bench constructed by the Hartland Nature Club stands near the beginning of the trail in memory of Graceann Ridlon and her work to protect Eshqua Bog. Please read our preserve visitation guidelines.

Directions
Eshqua Bog Natural Area is located in Hartland. Traveling east on Route 4 from Woodstock village, take a right onto Hartland Hill Road. Travel about one mile until you reach a fork. Take a right onto Garvin Hill Road. Travel about one mile and look for the Nature Conservancy sign on the right. There is a small pullover on the right for parking.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Sarah Wakefield/The Nature Conservancy (Showy lady's slippers).