Trail System To Be Named in Honor of Pioneering Vineland Scientist Mary Treat

Vineland’s rich history is gaining a new chapter with the dedication of the Willow Oak Natural Area trail system to Mary Treat, a pioneering ecologist and one of Vineland’s most notable residents of the town’s first decade. The Vineland Environmental Commission made the recommendation to City Council following requests from both the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society and Citizens United To Protect the Maurice River. A Council resolution was passed in November and a special dedication ceremony is being planned for later this year.

Treat’s connection to Vineland dates back to the 19th century when she conducted groundbreaking botannical and entomological research in and around our community. Her work not only advanced local understanding of the natural world but also contributed to broader scientific discoveries, making her a source of pride for residents and historians alike.

Treat’s legacy extends far beyond Vineland. She is renowned for her correspondence with Charles Darwin, with whom she shared insights and findings that influenced the course of evolutionary biology. She discovered several new plant and insect species and authored significant articles and books. Her achievements have been brought to light with the publication in 2022 of Mary Treat: A Biography, by Deborah Boerner Ein, SNJ Today editor. Learn more at marytreat.com

“Mary Treat’s contributions to science and Vineland are a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance,” Mayor Fanucci said. “Dedicating the Willow Oak trail system in her honor is a meaningful way for the Vineland community to remember and celebrate her life’s work.”