Six major environmental groups call for Drew Forest preservation in Madison

MADISON - Six major New Jersey environmental groups have thrown their weight behind the Save the Drew Forest campaign.

Leaders from Environment New Jersey, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, New York/New Jersey Baykeeper, Raritan Headwaters Association and The Watershed Institute signed a Monday, Aug. 8 letter to the Friends of the Drew Forest advocacy group voicing their “vociferous support for the full conservation of the entire 53 acres of the Drew University Forest” on behalf of their organizations.

“There are many land-use battles across the state, some that are waged with scant environmental evidence,” the letter reads. “This is not one of them, and the double whammy precedent of the potential development of such a unique ecosystem that the Drew University Forest represents along with the actions by the university hoping to cash out one of its most treasured places compel us to action.”

Drew has sought to have portions of the forest rezoned for multi-family housing so the land could be sold to a housing developer. The borough of Madison, meanwhile, supported by groups such as the Friends of the Drew Forest, has sought to acquire the land from the university through a conservation sale.

The university is now suing Madison, claiming the borough illegally omitted the forest and surrounding land during settlement negotiations for its third-round affordable housing plan in 2020.

The signers of the Aug. 8 letter state that over the years Madison has created “a record of sustainability that is unquestionable.

“As you well know, the 53-acre Drew Forest is a unique ecosystem,” the letter reads. “More than 22 acres have been fenced to keep deer out, invasive plants controlled and literally thousands of native plants planted, which earned the Governor’s Award for Healthy Ecosystems in 2013. The Zuck Arboretum and Hepburn Woods sections of the forest are publicly accessible natural areas complete with wooded trails, ponds, wildflower gardens, benches, picnic table, and art kiosk.”

The forest is in the same “ecological complex” as the Giralda Farms Preserve in Chatham Township, Loantaka Brook Reservation in Madison and Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, “representing the work of thousands of people and many, many millions of dollars of generational investment,” per the letter.

The signers also point to the presence of two glacial ponds, important vernal pools and deep dells in the Drew Forest.

“Its unique topography mitigates flooding, as documented after Hurricane Ida. The forest showcases a rare understory of native trees and native plants and warblers, herons, egrets, turtles, raptors, fox and other wildlife can be seen along walking trails,” according to the letter.

Back And Forth

Asked for comment on the letter, a university spokesman clarified that the Zuck Arboretum and the deep dell that serves as an aquifer recharge area, “have never been on the development list” for the university.

The spokesman also said a conservation sale is no longer on the table, pinning the blame on the borough.

“There was a time when a conservation sale was on the table, however the leadership of Madison failed to take the steps required to make this a reality. ... We appreciate the groups’ interest, but this involvement comes too late due to Madison’s mismanagement,” he said.

A borough spokesman responded to the statement Tuesday by saying that it was Drew, not Madison, that mismanaged the process.

He said the borough appreciates the organizations who have expressed support for the preservation of the forest, “something we hope to achieve.”

“Madison worked diligently with Drew University to outline critical deadlines that were necessary to secure state and local funding for a conservation sale of the forest,” according to the borough statement. “Unfortunately, Drew did not meet the necessary deadlines, and funding rounds for this year passed.

“It is sad to see that Drew, the ‘University in the Forest’ is opposing the intervention of the Friends of the Drew Forest in their briefing with the courts, which was filed just hours ago, while also submitting concept plans that show their proposed 238-unit townhouse development within the forest.

“A conservation sale is never too late, and we look forward to working towards saving the forest, the tree canopy and the aquifer that we all rely on.”

Groups Warn Of ‘Stain’ On Legacy

The signers of the letter say the forest represents a “legacy of restoration and civic engagement,” from Drew and the university community, the Hepburn-Martin Foundation, Garden CLub of Madison, New Jersey Committee of the Garden Club of America and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The signers also note the forest captures more than 71 million gallons of rainwater annually, purifying the drinking water for 31 separate towns. The value of the “ecosystem service” is worth more than $1,500,000 per year, the organizations state, citing a state Department of Environmental Protection formula.

“We will close by referencing that the university’s most well-known president, former Gov. Tom Kean, created an environmental legacy of wetlands preservation during his tenure as Governor and before that as Assembly Speaker, and more than 50 years ago helped to preserve Sunfish Pond in the Delaware Water Gap. It would be a stain on his legacy — as well as the university’s — to move forward with any attempts to develop the Drew Forest,” the letter concludes.

“We strongly urge Drew University to protect its namesake forest through a conservation sale — there can’t be a ‘University in the Forest’ without a forest. We are deeply grateful for the advocacy of local residents to preserve the Drew Forest and the more than 13,000 people who have signed a petition in support of the conservation sale.

“We are happy to add our voice to call for the permanent preservation of the Drew Forest and we urge the University to consider its legacy — and the benefits of the forest — as it considers a conservation sale.”

The letter is signed by Doug O’Malley of Environment New Jersey, Jennifer Coffey of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), Julia Somers of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, Greg Renaud of New York/New Jersey Baykeeper, Bill Kibler of Raritan Headwaters Association and Mike Pisauro of The Watershed Institute, on behalf of their respective organizations and citizen members.

The groups join the six municipalities of Madison Borough, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Morristown, Morris Township and Parsippany-Troy Hills, plus the following organizations, in calling for the preservation of the forest: Sierra Club NJ, Great Swamp Watershed Association, Passaic River Coalition, Ridge and Valley Conservancy, the Drew University Student Government, Whippany River Watershed Action Committee, Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Native Plant Society of NJ, Garden Club of America Zone IV, the Old-Growth Forest Network, and the environmental commissions of Harding Township, Long Hill Township and Mendham Township.