Ecological Preserve

Understanding the interactions between ecosystems and climate is key to predicting how ecosystems are responding, and will continue to respond, to a changing climate. Professors Mary Whelan and Ben Lintner of the Department of Environmental Sciences are introducing first year students in their Byrne seminar to some of the fundamental principles governing the complex interplay between ecosystems and climate. On Friday, September 17th, students in the course visited the Rutgers EcoPreserve to gain some firsthand exposure to a forest ecosystem….

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Brothers from Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, also known as FIJI, raised the funds to purchase seven white dogwood trees to plant in the EcoPreserve.  A number of fraternity members came out in late August to plant and fence the sapling trees (to protect against deer browsing). A week later Hurricane Ida came through and dropped this large red oak (in left of photo above). Luckily it missed the dogwood sapling.  Hopefully the dogwoods will continue to survive and grace the…

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Please use caution while visiting the EcoPreserve!! A bridge on the Red Trail got picked and pushed off its footing and should not be used.  The bridge on the Green Trail has also shifted. Walk your bike across the bridge.  We hope to fix the bridges later next week when we can return to campus. Update: the Red and Green Trails bridges have been stabilized but still need additional repairs. They have been flagged with orange tape. Use caution and…

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We compared trail entrance numbers recorded at several trailheads from fall 2019 (Pre-COVID) vs. 2020 (Post-COVID) and found a 25+% increase in 2020 (i.e., during COVID).  These statistics are especially interesting in that the increase in usage occurred without having students resident on campus.  Throughout New Jersey, our parks and preserves received record attendance as people sought the outdoors.