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Old-Growth Forest Network Founder, Ecologist, and Author Joan Maloof Calls for Preservation of the Drew Forest
Dr. Joan Maloof added her voice to the chorus of calls for the preservation of the Drew University Forest Preserve at a virtual meeting of the Borough Council on Monday, Jan. 24.
Scores of people, mostly Madison residents and Drew alumni, have called for the forest’s preservation at council meetings and online over the past year, but Maloof is among the highest-profile advocates to speak out.
11,000+ Petition Signatures!
Since May 2021, we have gathered over 11,000 signatures on our petition to save the Drew Forest from potential development through a conservation sale. Sign and share the petition today!
Comments on Carbon from Christine Hepburn, PhD: Remarks to Madison Council Meeting of 1/10/2022
“Think about this. You can plant loads of new trees but if trees in intact forests are removed, their uptake of Carbon dioxide cannot be replaced by those new trees. Not in our lifetimes, not in our children’s lifetimes, and possibly not ever.”
Starting The New Year Off Right -- The Forests Need Your Help!
2022 is off to a strong start — read more about recent updates, volunteer opportunities, and the upcoming New Jersey Forest Forum.
Claire Whitcomb Presents Environmental Potentials To Madison Council
66% of Madison’s carbon footprint comes from the built environment, said Whitcomb, and any new construction will have to meet present energy efficiency standards. Any brand-new buildings will have to meet green infrastructure, green stormwater practices, additional landscaping measures and, most pressingly, impervious coverage.
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.”