Rutgers Ecological Preserve, Protected forest area in Piscataway, US.
Rutgers Ecological Preserve is a protected forest area in Piscataway spanning roughly 370 acres with color-coded trails winding through the landscape. The paths cross streams and rise through terrain of varying elevation, passing over compact red clay and shale ground.
The land served as a military encampment during the American Revolutionary War and was later converted to farmland in the 1800s. These shifts in use shaped the area across multiple generations.
Students from Rutgers University conduct research projects and ecological monitoring activities throughout the preserve, contributing to environmental education initiatives.
The trails are color-coded and total roughly 4 miles in length, with parking areas that require permits on weekdays. Weekend parking is free and more accessible.
The remains of a World War II ammunition bunker from the former Camp Kilmer stand along the white trail. This military ruin offers an unexpected historical contrast within the natural surroundings.
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