Rutgers University Ecological Preserve

05/04/2026

What’s blooming in the Ecological Preserve? On Saturday we hosted the Rutgers University Alumni Association for a guided hike, identifying all the beautiful blooms we have this time of year! Next weekend is our annual Run for the Woods so make sure you sign up soon 🏃🏼‍♀️

04/20/2026

New map panels are making their way into the preserve! Twelve “you are here” panels are being installed to assist visitors with navigating our trail network. We’re very excited for this map upgrade that includes the newly completed Sugar Maple Trail 🍁 and Accessible Trail ♿️ Please be patient as we work on adjusting our tree tags to correspond to these panels.

04/14/2026

Run for the Woods 2026 is coming up on May 9th! Register today to join in on our 20th annual event 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♂️ 🏃🏽 https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Piscataway/RunfortheWoods

07/22/2025

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an introduced and invasive species of beetle from north-east Asia. These pictures show the affect that the ash borers have on our native ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). The larvae of this species feed on the tree after they hatch from their eggs and leave these trails, which are also called galleries. This usually leads to the ash tree dying because they eat through the layers of the tree responsible for transporting nutrients and water, cutting off the trees resources.

07/14/2025

Introducing Summer Crew 2025 - Rutgers Ecological Preserve Interns! Undergrads across Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

07/03/2025

Come visit our accessible trail! If you are a wheelchair user, pushing a stroller, or just enjoy a smoother hike this is perfect for you!

06/02/2025

Join us this Sunday, June 8 at 11:00am for National Trails Day! This will be a guided hike with our land managers so prepare to learn about the natural and and human history of the EcoPreserve as well as natural resource management techniques. We will meet in the gravel parking lot off Road 3. 🥾🌳

03/30/2025

Thank you, Rutgers University Outdoors Club for helping us remove lesser celandine and prevent it from competing with our native spring ephemeral wildflowers!

11/11/2024

Huge thanks to our volunteers on Saturday! The accessible trailhead is taking shape and looking good 😎

If you’re interested in helping out this upcoming Sunday, meet us at 11am in the gravel parking lot off Road 3.

11/06/2024

Interested in helping out with the Accessible Trail? Join us on one of our upcoming volunteer dates!

- Saturday, November 9 from 10am-1pm
https://www.facebook.com/share/14sxWvNuyg/

- Sunday, November 17 from 11am-2pm
https://www.facebook.com/share/19PmS7qHVp/

Please RSVP to the events

Hope to see you out there!

Send a message to learn more

10/31/2024

Snapshot USA 2024 is in full swing! We've been collecting and identifying images from 15 wildlife cameras spread out across the preserve. Here's a few of our favorites from the September collection.