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LETTER: Drew student critical of university's 'short-sighted' forest development plan
Michael George (C’23) | Madison Eagle
“I can imagine students learning about how we solved our financial problems by celebrating and making our beautiful campus even more of a biodiversity hot-spot, as well as becoming a national leader on how to promote biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Drew must continue to have the pride of promoting itself as the “University in the Forest.”
Donations to save Noe Pond now benefit efforts to save Drew Forest
“‘Nearly $13,000 remained of the funds raised through the efforts of Save Noe Pond and GSWA. We decided to put those resources to good use,’ said Rich Rein, one of the liaisons of Save Noe Pond.
The GSWA saw a natural connection with Save Noe Pond, a group dedicated to protecting the historic Noe Pond property from over-development that would bring substantial harm to the delicate wetlands and wildlife on and around the property, including the land adjacent to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, GSWA Executive Director Sally Rubin said.”
Leave the Leaves!
Virtually all of the leaves are now off the trees and blanketing the ground. This is called “leaf litter” but it isn’t trash, it’s valuable!
Nov 15 @ 8am - Breakfast Briefing: Drew Forest Update with the Great Swamp Watershed Association
Get an update on the efforts to save the Drew Forest from development! A light breakfast will be served followed by the presentation and a Q&A session.
GSWA Member Free | Non-member (Adult) $10 | Non-member (Child) $5 | Discounted Annual GSWA Family Membership $40
Madison Councilwoman Ehrlich and Friends of the Drew Forest win environmental awards
“For the fifth year in a row, Madison has been singled out among New Jersey’s 564 towns for its environmental leadership.
The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) has honored Borough Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich with its Municipal Leadership Award, following in the footsteps of Mayor Robert H. Conley, who won in 2021.
In addition, Friends of the Drew Forest is the recipient in the nonprofit category, a result of its ‘exceptional educational awareness campaign,’ according to ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey.”
October 27 @ 7pm: “Why Save the Drew Forest?”
Join forest ecologist Dr. Sara Webb and members of the Friends of the Drew Forest in discussion about the unique nature of the Drew Forest and the importance of conserving all 53 acres. This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Drew Forest, the Summit Area GreenFaith Circle, the Summit Environmental Commission, and the Summit Free Public Library. It will be held online via Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Environment New Jersey: “Protect the Drew Forest”
By Doug O’Malley and Asha Dhakad
ENVIRONMENT NEW JERSEY SAYS: “Drew University, in the North Jersey town of Madison, is not called the “University in the Forest” for nothing. On its property is a 53-acre forest: the Drew Forest. There, you can find some of the oldest trees in the region; you can also find students conducting research for their environmental science classes and visitors enjoying the trails. Unfortunately, the forest is under threat – there is a plan to sell off some of the forest and open it to development. With our allies, we have opposed this plan and called for permanent protection in the form of a “conservation sale” where the land would be sold to a buyer who would conserve rather than develop it.”
Judge’s order a win for both sides in Drew U. vs. Madison affordable housing care
“Madison’s mayor, Robert H. Conley, said borough officials were pleased that the court affirmed the borough’s current affordable housing plan, which includes 44 new units and other projects underway.
‘As stated on multiple occasions, we remain willing to sit with Drew and pursue a solution that saves the Forest and helps Drew with their serious budget shortfalls,’ he said. ‘We will continue to provide affordable housing while also working to preserve the forest, the tree canopy, and the aquifer that we all rely on to provide drinking water for Madison and surrounding communities.’”
LETTER: Does Drew really want to become the school that chopped down its forest?
Alexandra Kiely (C’ 2012) | Madison Eagle
“I am deeply concerned about what the future will hold for Drew if it goes through with this monumentally shortsighted decision. Condemning the forest will define Drew’s reputation for all time, but I don’t think the school has really considered the fallout. The overwhelming majority of colleges and universities across the country are environmentally focused and becoming more so all the time.”
Final Decision Not Yet Reached In Madison Affordable Housing Lawsuit
“After hearing the arguments from both parties, Judge Stephan Hansbury declared that the hearing on Aug. 19 would not result in a decision.”
Madison Officials React To Court Win Upholding Affordable Housing Settlement
By Marianne Carillo | TAPintoMadison
“This past Friday, Superior Court Judge Stephan Hansbury ruled in Madison’s favor stating that the Borough’s Affordable Housing settlement should not be overturned. Drew University had sued Madison asking the Court to vacate its 2020 settlement with Fair Share Housing Center.”
Judge won't vacate Madison affordable housing settlement over Drew lawsuit
By Claudia Ceva | Madison Eagle
“The court will not vacate Madison's 2020 affordable housing settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC).
Superior Court Judge Stephan Hansbury, during a hearing on Friday, Aug. 19 on the lawsuit filed by Drew University against the borough at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown, said while he needed more time to reach a final decision, vacating the settlement is officially off the table.”
Judge upholds Madison affordable housing pact in Drew Forest battle
By Kevin Coughlin for Morristown Green
“A judge in Morristown had questions about immunity on Friday, but he wasn’t talking vaccines.”
Six major environmental groups call for Drew Forest preservation in Madison
“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.’
Non-Profit Adds Voice To Madison Affordable Housing Lawsuit
“Friends of the Drew Forest has filed a brief in response to Drew University's motion to overturn Madison's affordable housing settlement.”
Forest Preservation Amicus Brief Filed in Drew Lawsuit
In response to Drew University’s motion to overturn Madison’s 2020 affordable housing settlement, Friends of the Drew Forest has filed an amicus or "friend of the court” brief to support the preservation of the entire 53-acre tract of this rare, intact preserve. The case will be heard on August 19 at 11:30AM at Morris County Court House, Courtroom 200, 56 Washington Ave, Morristown. The hearing is open to the public.
“We filed a brief because we wanted to document the exceptional ecosystem value of the forest and to make it clear to all parties that this is an area of regional environmental significance,” says Lydia Chambers, co-chair of Friends of the Drew Forest, a nonprofit based in Madison, NJ.
Environment NJ and five other state groups sign a letter supporting the conservation of the Drew Forest
Six local, regional, and state environmental organizations have issued their support for the conservation of the Drew Forest Preserve Thank you to the following groups for joining the regional fight to save the Forest: The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, Environment New Jersey, NJ Highlands Coalition, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Raritan Headwaters Association, and the Watershed Institute.
Environment New Jersey : Letter in support of conserving the Drew Forest
Environment New Jersey: “On behalf of four local, regional and state environmental organizations, and our hundreds of thousands of citizen members and activists, we wish to issue our vociferous support for the full conservation of the entire 53 acres of the Drew University Forest. There are many land-use battles across the state, some that are waged with scant environmental evidence. 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.”
NY/NJ Baykeeper Supports Saving the Drew Forest!
NY/NJ Baykeeper has written a letter of support to save the Drew Forest!