Pomfret’s 500-acre Hilltop campus exudes New England charm. At its heart lies a manicured academic village, home to iconic landmarks like Clark Memorial Chapel, Jahn Rink, and Parsons Lodge, alongside cutting-edge spaces like VISTA, Pomfret’s new science center. But that’s just a fraction of Pomfret’s sprawling grounds. Beyond this central hub stretch hundreds of acres of woods, meadows, and streams, known collectively as Pomfret Woods. It’s here, in the forest — a living laboratory — where learning, conservation, and daily energy thrive.

“Our woods set us apart from other schools,” says Director of Sustainability and Science Teacher Annie O’Sullivan. “We seize every opportunity to use the forest to teach, play, and grow.” 

O’Sullivan and fellow Science Teacher Jackson Lyon ’17 regularly integrate the Woods into their environmental science curriculum. Each fall, they lead students in a long-term study of Pomfret’s forest dynamics. Students identify and measure trees, analyze data, and develop a forestry management plan with recommendations for future care. This long-term scientific inquiry is complemented by quieter, more personal encounters with the forest. As part of their coursework, students establish sit spots to observe the seasonal transformation of the forest. Beyond scientific study, this reflective practice encourages them to slow down, connect with nature, and engage their minds, bodies, and spirits.

Students in Global & Sustainable Development also leave their mark on the Woods through solutionary projects aimed at benefiting the Pomfret community. Recently, Charlotte Reis '26, Anson D'Alleva-Bochain '26, and Paul Sauter '27 worked to make Pomfret’s trails more accessible. Recognizing that many people were unsure where the trails led or how to navigate them, they designed and installed five trailhead signs around campus. Each sign includes a QR code linking to a digital map of the trail system.

The paths these students improve aren’t just for walking — they’re also home to the School’s cross-country course, a beloved and challenging trail that winds through dense forest and across babbling brooks. These trails are maintained by students during team bonding and community service events.

Other academic departments make good use of the forest, too. In the English course Into the Wild: Wilderness, Literature & Community, students explore the meaning of wilderness and the role of community. In Mindfulness: Intro to Meditative Practice, students use the Woods as a space to explore personal well-being. This spirit of exploration extends beyond the classroom.

Outside of class time, Pomfret Woods is a resource for the entire school community. During the first QUEST session of the year, the freshman class faces The Wall — a fifteen-foot-tall component of the low ropes course. Conquering The Wall requires teamwork and trust, as students lift one another from below and pull each other up and over from above.

The Woods aren’t just a resource for Pomfret; they’re a vital part of the broader community as well. The Audubon Society regularly holds bird banding and GPS tracking events here to monitor local migration patterns. The Yale School of the Environment has studied the forest and developed management plans to increase biodiversity, control invasive species, and improve trail access. 

A recent highlight was the bioblitz — a lively, collaborative effort by students and community members to catalog the species living in Pomfret Woods. The event recorded 162 species, including 44 birds and 93 plants. It was a powerful reminder of how vibrant and special our natural surroundings truly are.

Looking ahead, O’Sullivan plans to prioritize wetland restoration, invasive species management, and the installation of boardwalks to open more of the forest for learning and exploration.
 

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