South Middlesex Times

Mettler's Woods, a rare virgin forest in New Jersey managed by Rutgers University-New Brunswick, has been inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. This network is committed to preserving mature, publicly accessible native forests across the United States. The induction ceremony took place on November 18 under the canopy of ancient trees.

Myla Aronson, an assistant professor at Rutgers and director of the William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center, emphasized the importance of Mettler's Woods for biodiversity conservation and as a unique ecosystem in densely populated New Jersey. "In our rapidly changing world, and especially in densely populated New Jersey, having an old-growth forest in our backyard is rare and invaluable – both for the conservation of biodiversity but also for people to be able to experience a completely different ecosystem that is almost extinct," she said.

Brian Kane from the Old-Growth Forest Network expressed gratitude towards Rutgers University for its efforts in protecting this rare forest. "We are grateful for Rutgers University’s work to protect and study this rare forest," he stated during the ceremony.

The Old-Growth Forest Network aims to preserve at least one forest in every U.S. county with forests. Since its founding in 2012, it has included over 270 old-growth forests across 39 states.

Aronson described Mettler's Woods as a "sanctuary of biodiversity," home to numerous plant species, birds, insects, and soil microbes. The woods have served as a living laboratory since the 1940s, facilitating research on various ecological topics by students from multiple universities.

Research projects led by Aronson at Mettler's Woods focus on understanding changes over time within the forest, impacts of invasive plant species on native flora, and exploring tree species better suited for warmer climates due to climate change.

Reflecting on her connection with Mettler's Woods since her graduate studies, Aronson shared her appreciation for its historical significance and natural beauty: "I remember being instantly taken by the size of the large trees and the beauty of the forest... One feels stability and peace when looking up the trunk of a 300-plus-year-old tree."