Good News, Bad News: We Need Your Help Wed., Oct 25, 7pm in Morristown
Dear Forest Friends,
The good news. We packed the Open Space Trust Fund hearing on Madison’s request for a $10 million grant to conserve the Forest (special thanks to the Drew student entourage).
The bad news. “A favorable recommendation may not cover the full $10 million,” according to a committee member quoted in the Madison Eagle.
Who makes the final decision? The Morris County Commissioners, keepers of the county budget.
3 WAYS TO TELL THE COMMISSIONERS TO FULLY FUND THE FOREST GRANT
1. MEET US IN MORRISTOWN AT A COMMISSIONER MEETING
Oct. 25 public session at 7pm, 10 Court Street, Morristown. This meeting is critical because the Commissioners will not yet have made a decision on the Open Space Trust Fund Committee’s recommendation. You need not comment, a crowd is essential.
Nov. 8 public session at 7pm, 10 Court Street, Morristown. This is our chance to hear and weigh in on the Open Space Fund Committee recommendation prior to the Commissioners vote. We’ve been at this for 2.5 years and learned that we need to keep the pressure on–always.
→ RSVP here so that we can send updates regarding in-person and virtual attendance.
2. EMAIL A COUNTY COMMISSIONER
You can email a statement of support to all 7 commissioners or pick the ones close to home. Find meeting details and commissioner emails here: Board of County Commissioners
→ RSVP here to tell us what you’re doing so we can track our progress.
3. NETWORK WITH INFLUENCERS
Who do you know who could influence a Commissioner? The County has $45 million in its Open Space Trust Fund. There is only one 2023 application for public use of that money. Rather than have it sit idly, why not fully fund the $10 million request to save the Drew Forest—and put taxpayer dollars to use—right now?
→ RSVP here to tell us what you’re doing so we can track our progress.
IN THE NEWS
Drew students, Drew Forest advocates push for land sale grant as county vote approaches
By Alex Parker-Magyar Managing Editor
MADISON - Drew University students, Madison officials and residents from across Morris County made their final pitch for a $10 million grant to help save the Drew Forest Thursday, Oct. 12 in Morristown.
A crowd of about 40 people spilled into the hallway outside a Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee meeting Thursday, as speakers urged support for Madison's funding request to help purchase the threatened 53-acre forest preserve from the university.
The open space committee has now made a recommendation regarding Madison's application to the Morris County Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners will make a final decision based on the recommendation at a meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Upcoming Event
Fertile Soil: How a Forest Conservation Group Revealed Deep Community Roots.
November 6 at 7pm the Morristown & Morris Township Library
Join the League of Women Voters and Friends of the Drew Forest to discuss the the power of grassroots advocacy at the local level.
What We’ve Learned from Fungi —
Network as if your ecosystem depends on it!
On a recent fungi foray, a few forest friends discovered the beauty of fungi fruiting bodies a.k.a mushrooms! We also discovered that fungi are an essential part of a forest’s ecosystem.
Fungi play an important role as decomposers, breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the soil. Without them, dead organisms would pile up and prevent plants from getting essential nutrients.
Mycorrhizal fungi form a mutualistic relationship with the roots of plants (the name from Latin: “myco,” means “relating to fungi” and “rhizal,” which means “roots.”). The fungi are fed by the tree and in exchange, they help the tree take up nutrients, water and carbon.
Fungi in the Drew Forest
