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2022 Mayor’s Annual Message
“Over the years Drew has had a major role in the evolution of Madison, part of what makes us the best place to live in New Jersey. Known as the University in the Forest, we will work with them to ensure that they continue to provide quality college education, serve as an economic engine not just for Madison, but for Morris County all while remaining the University in the Forest, the forest that helps recharge our aquifer, clean our air, and provides a refuge not only for wildlife but also for us as we look to escape the crazy world around us.”
Holiday Greetings From the Friends of the Drew Forest!
Twelve Days of Christmas: Drew Forest Edition
Featuring some of the many species that can be found in the Drew Forest’s diverse environment.
Drew Forest advocates carol for conservation at Madison meeting
by Alex Parker-Magyar for Madison Eagle
“Residents frequently stump for local causes before the Borough Council but it doesn’t often come in the form of a holiday serenade.
Three members of the Friends of the Drew Forest bucked that trend at a council meeting Monday, when they sang the praises of the threatened forest preserve to the tune of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas.’”
8 Things That Happened Since May - Thanks to A Strong Community
The fight to save the Drew Forest grows stronger each day, thanks to a strong community with Madison, NJ and beyond.
To grandmother’s house we go | Opinion
By Claire Whitcomb for NJ.com
“…A forest isn’t just a bunch of trees that you can swap out like last year’s wardrobe. It’s an ecosystem.
It crumbles when you slice and dice it, its environmental benefits can’t begin to be replicated by planting juvenile trees here and there in parks or on suburban lawns. Scientists learn more every year about what goes on beneath the forest floor and it is clear that trees talk to each other and share nutrients through vast fungal networks.”
Madison boosts open space tax, OK’s new uses for Giralda Farms campus
The Borough Council adopted two ordinances Monday night, one seeking to preserve and the other to adapt.
The council first voted to restore the local open space tax from 1.8 cents per $100 to 2 cents per $100. The decision could benefit any number of open space, preservation, and recreation projects in the future, but in the immediate term, it aims to help save the Drew University Forest Preserve from the developer’s bulldozer.
Build elsewhere. Save Drew Forest. | Opinion
By Addison Del Mastro, Drew Alumni, for NJ.com
“I write professionally about places I live and visit, but I’ve never written about my college town of Madison, where I attended Drew University. But recently a college acquaintance posted a Change.org petition on social media, titled Save the Drew Forest Preserve, which as of this writing has over 10,000 signatures. Drew, an institution long-struggling financially, is reportedly considering selling some of the preserve for development.”
Madison Council And Residents Alike Encourage Open Space Tax Change, Defend Drew Forest
By Tyler Barth for TAPintoMadison
“Due to recent financial instability, the Drew University has been selling off various properties. For example, the land on which the Alumni House - a university mainstay for almost 140 years - stood has been sold off to a developer who plans to build a mosque, a proposal which turned many heads when first made public.
The University has not made an explicit statement regarding plans to sell the 53-acre Drew Forest, however for the past several months residents, council members and alumni alike have spoken at town council meetings, and last night’s meeting was one of the most prolific on that front.”
Madison eyes open space tax bump amid Drew Forest preservation effort
By Alex Parker-Magyar for Madison Eagle
“There are so few open spaces available left, Drew Forest being one of them, that
increasing this tax will demonstrate Madison’s commitment that it is important to
preserve the forest as well as the viability of the college,” said Councilwoman Astri
Baillie.
Autumnal Updates From the Drew Forest
Updates on the invasive species haunting the Drew Forest, ongoing support from Madison Borough to conserve the forest, and more tips on how to help.
The Old-Growth Forest Network Supports Saving the Drew Forest!
The Old-Growth Forest Network, the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth, native forests where people of all generations can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature, supports saving the Drew Forest!
Madison engages conservation group in effort to save Drew Forest
By Alex Parker-Magyar for Madison Eagle
“An application to develop a portion of the Drew University Forest Preserve for housing may ultimately come before the Planning Board, but the borough is seeking to bring in outside agencies to help preserve the land before it comes to that.
Madison has asked the Land Conservancy of New Jersey to collaborate with the borough and the university on the future of any forest land Drew may look to sell off, Borough Administrator Ray Codey said at a Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The nonprofit organization has worked to preserve hundreds of sites across the state.”
Madison Council Hears Comments Regarding the Drew Forest
By Tyler Barth for TAPintoMadison
“Lisa Leone of Denville praised Madison town council for their support in preserving Drew University’s campus. According to Leone, the Drew Forest symbolizes the university and provides the university with a positive culture.
‘Imagine explaining to future students that despite us being called the Forest and our mascot is the bear, we don’t have a forest,’ she said.
This comes after a possibility arose of the University selling off parts of the Forest for development.
According to Mayor Conley, the town council recently had a meeting with Drew University, and while details of the meeting are private, he noted the meeting was positive.
Residents call for preservation of Drew Forest at Madison meeting as petition signatures soar
By Alex Parker-Magyar for Madison Eagle
“Residents continued to advocate for the conservation of the Drew University Forest Preserve at a Borough Council meeting as petition signatures to preserve the threatened ecosystem continue to climb.
More than 7,200 people had signed a Change.org petition as of press time Wednesday to advocate against the university’s consideration of selling a portion of the 53-acre forest, nearing the petition’s present goal of 7,500 signatures.”
COMMENTARY: Drew preserve a living laboratory worth protecting
“The Drew University Forest Preserve is 53 acres of contiguous, mature, native forest in Madison, New Jersey.
It is an important hotspot of diverse plants and animals, recharges the Buried Valley Aquifer and filters Madison’s water supply. Additionally, the forest serves as a natural space for both instruction and recreation.”
Local Residents Asked To Sign Petition to Help Preserve Drew University Forest
By TAPintoStaff for TAPintoMorristown
"As articulated in Borough of Madison Drew Forest Resolution 156-2021. We ask that you join us to help permanently protect the entire Forest Preserve and the countless benefits it provides and at the same time help Drew, known as the University in the Forest, continue its educational mission for years to come", wrote organizers. "This can be done with a combination of municipal, county and state open space funds, corporate or not-for-profit grants and donations".
Many in Madison back preservation of Drew Woods
By Nora McSorley for Madison Eagle
“Myriads of residents voiced their support for a resolution drawn up by the Mayor and Borough Council Monday night which calls for the environmental conservation of the Drew University Forest.
Following the discussion, the council unanimously passed the resolution, which calls for the environmental conservation of the Drew Forest.”
Health of Garden State forests is brought to the forefront at Madison Rotary meeting: Fate of Drew Forest discussed
By Nora McSorley for Madison Eagle
“The state’s ever-shrinking amount of forest land, including the possible sale of land in the 45-acre Drew University forest, was the topic of the day when the Madison Rotary met Thursday morning, April 29, virtually.
Guest speaker Sara Webb, a Drew University professor emerita of Biology and Environmental Studies, presented a grim picture but also discussed how best to care for the diverse but beleaguered forests in the state.”
Madison's Drew University forest restoration wins governor’s ecosystems award
“Thousands of trees on Drew University’s campus at 36 Madison Ave. are now breathing a little easier thanks to an unprecedented forest rehabilitation campaign that replaced noxious plant life with native vegetation.
The restoration effort, led by Sara Webb, professor of biology, and Michael Kopas, director of facilities and special projects, captured the spirit of Drew’s commitment to the health of its campus – and the attention of Gov. Chris Christie, who named Drew the winner of the state’s Environmental Excellence Award for Healthy Ecosystems.”