Fernow Experimental Forest

Fernow Experimental Forest is a roughly 4,700 acre (1,900 hectare) woodland area within Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. It operates as an outdoor laboratory where researchers study how forests respond to different management techniques and ecological changes.

The area was heavily logged from 1905 to 1911 before being designated as an experimental forest in 1934 under U.S. Forest Service management. This shift turned a damaged landscape into a place where scientists could systematically observe how forests recover and change.

The forest is named after Bernhard Fernow, a pioneer who shaped how people think about managing forests scientifically in North America. His legacy represents the shift from simply cutting trees to understanding how forests work.

Access is through Forest Road 701, which leads to research areas and walking trails marked with informational signs. Visitors should know this is an active research site, so some areas may have restricted access to protect ongoing studies.

The forest contains gauged watersheds and weather stations that have been collecting data about forest hydrology and soil conditions since 1951. This long-running dataset makes it possible to track how forests change over decades, offering insights into forest health and water cycles.