Madison mayor recognizes International Day of Forests

By BRETT FRIEDENSOHN Managing Editor Madison Eagle Mar 15, 2025 Updated Mar 18, 2025

MADISON – Mayor Robert Conley presented members of the Friends of the Drew Forest with a proclamation recognizing Friday, March 21 as International Day of Forests in the Rose City during the Borough Council meeting Monday, March 10.

The holiday has been recognized annually by the United Nations since 2012.

“It’s not only an eye to the valuable Drew Forest, which we’ve been working so hard to save, but also the National Forests which may be opened to greatly expanded logging,” Conley said in regards to the importance of the proclamation.

“This will not only devastate the forests, but also remove trees that cleanse our air. And if we don’t protect the forests right here in our country, how can we ask Brazil and other South American countries to preserve the Amazon, the lungs of the Earth? So this is a good reminder of the importance of forests.”

Friends member Colette Crescas said that along with the Drew Forest, Madison has another great forest, the one at the Madison Recreation Complex (MRC).

Crescas, who is also on the Madison Environmental Commission, said that both of these forests have deer fences and are adjacent to athletic fields, so they keep water and air clean and athletes cool.

“So I’m very thankful for this proclamation and all the support from volunteers in the town,” Crescas said.

Friends Co-Chair Judy Kroll thanked Conley for the proclamation and his continued efforts to preserve the Drew Forest.

“It’s a wonderful educational, environmental and research gem for our town and for the region,” Kroll said. “The Friends of the Drew Forest has been working on this mission advocating for a conservation sale for nearly the last four years.”

Contact Brett Friedensohn at brettf@newjerseyhills.com.