Ecologist Calls for the Preservation of Madison's Drew Forest
MADISON, NJ — A well-known etymologist and wildlife ecologist has created a special video to advocate for the preservation of the Drew Forest, which he describes as a "regionally important biodiversity hotspot" and "an urban forest of exceptional value."
Dr. Douglas Tallamy, the best-selling author of Nature's Best Hope and co-founder of the Home Grown National Park movement, recently spoke out about the importance of Madison's Drew Forest in ensuring its long-term survival.
The Drew Forest, located on Drew University's 168-acre Madison campus, consists of 53 intact acres with mature trees and glacial ponds. It provides 22 acres of public trails, critical aquifer recharge and unique regional educational opportunities.
Tallamy has recently joined a growing number of experts in advocating for the conservation sale of the forest, which is under threat of being cut down for high-density housing.
In his Drew Forest video, Tallamy explains that the restoration of the forest serves as an example for homeowners of the kinds of landscapes they can achieve in their own yards by removing invasive species and introducing native species.
Insect and bird populations are reportedly declining, endangering the sustainability of the ecosystems on which we depend, and protecting natural areas is essential to slow these declines, officials said.
"Dr. Tallamy is a hero to so many of us. His video adds a prominent, national voice to the call for preserving the Drew Forest," said Lydia Chambers, co-chair of Friends of the Drew Forest.
According to Chambers, six neighboring municipalities, as well as dozens of state and local environmental groups, have all passed resolutions or written letters in support of the forest's conservation.
While many people agree that the forest is a valuable piece of land in Morris County, developers have eyed it as a potential location for new buildings. Drew University recently requested that the Borough of Madison rezone the forest in order to allow for the construction of hundreds of market-rate housing units.
"The Drew Forest is an invaluable natural resource that will be lost forever if the borough is ordered by the court to allow construction and the land is fragmented by development," said Sally Rubin, Great Swamp Watershed Association Executive Director.
The Buried Valley Aquifer runs beneath the forest and provides drinking water to Madison and Chatham, as well as 30 municipalities in the counties of Morris, Essex, Somerset, and Union. Every year, the forest recharges the environment by capturing and purifying approximately 71.5 million gallons of rainfall.
"It’s extremely important that all parties come together to preserve the Drew Forest," Tallamy said.
