Sherrill presents big check for Drew Forest preservation, total funds hit $9.12 million

By Brett Friedensohn, Madison Eagle Managing Editor

MADISON - Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, D-11, presented a ceremonial big check for about $4.1 million to the borough, representing the federal funds she’s secured for the preservation of the Drew Forest during a press conference on Glenwild Road in front of the forest Monday, April 22.

During the event on Earth Day, Mayor Robert Conley said this funding, along with the $5 million from the Morris County Open Space Fund, brings the total to $9.12 million.

“We have worked incredibly hard to find every venue we can for funding the Drew Forest because we know there’s a lot of work to be done,” Sherrill said.

“We know it’s critically important that Drew University, which is such a gem in our community, is strong and resilient and has the funding that it needs. We know that this forest is critical of so many people here in the community.'

Mayor Conley said the money has been secured to make dreams to preserve the forest one step closer to reality.

The mayor also said the 51-acre forest has environmental resources. It’s the only forest in the county with a native understory where pollinators and other insects survive, along with birds that depend on them, he said.

Also, the forest purifies and recharges natural groundwater supplies and reduces flooding, surface runoff and soil erosion, he said.

“Yes, there have been and there will be challenges along the way, but if we let these challenges stop us, we will be unable to climb and save the next mountain,” Conley said. “So when we cut this ribbon in the future on a forever-preserved Drew Forest, we will speak about how we came together and used our creativity to make it a reality.”

State Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, noted that Gov. Phil Murphy has added $2 million for Drew Forest preservation in the state budget, which will need to be voted on in June.

“As it stands right now, we have to fight to make sure that that money remains in the budget,” Bucco said. “And then, we’re going to look for other spots in the various departments to fill the gap. So our work has just begun.”

Bucco said a great team of elected officials have worked tirelessly on a bipartisan basis at all levels of government to make sure this piece of property can be preserved.

“This is what it is all about, when you look behind us and you realize how important it is to make sure that this property never gets developed,” Bucco said. “And you think about the partnerships that are being made between Madison and the university, the state and federal and local governments, the county government. This is how people are supposed to work together.”

Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw said public service is about forging partnerships and working together towards a common goal. This is taking place with a bipartisan effort among county, state and federal elected officials, he said.

“Any of the large land preservation efforts involve aggregating dollars from multiple sources,” Shaw said.

“And it’s a difficult task and one that often builds momentum as the dollars start getting committed. And as the mayor was talking about, that’s why it's so vital and important that Morris County was the first one to get the dollars committed to saving the Drew Forest.”

Friends of the Drew Forest Co-chair and Madison resident Judy Kroll said the Friends started as a small group of individuals on a Zoom call three years ago.

“And some of us didn’t even know each other at the time, but we all had a deep respect for the forest,” Kroll said. “And that’s kind of pertinent to a whole movement. And here we are three years later after a lot of hard work and a lot of support from all of you with this wonderful grant. So that’s pretty exciting for us.”

Drew University President Hilary Link said that living on campus with her family, she sees every day the value the forest brings to her family, as well as Drew’s students and faculty.

“We all know that the Drew Forest is an invaluable resource for Madison and for Morris County and beyond,” Link said. “It is critical for New Jersey’s environment. It is equally important to our students and their faculty who have chosen to study and to teach and to live, as I do, in the university of the forest.”