In a feat of soil and wetland remediation, the HEEP was carved out of a former landfill site and surrounding forest with the goals of student education and healthy ecosystems. The tract boasts a gradient of ecosystems from upland forests along discovery drive, to open wetlands along the electrical cuthrough. A few quiet outlook decks give the trail-goer a place to pause and watch the interplay between land and sky while this relatively new habitat grows into its own.
A view of wetlands at the Hillside Environmental Education Park on July 21, 2017. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
