MADISON – Mayor Robert Conley presented members of the Friends of the Drew Forest with a proclamation recognizing Friday, March 21 as International Day of Forests in the Rose City during the Borough Council meeting Monday, March 10.

The holiday has been recognized annually by the United Nations since 2012.

“It’s not only an eye to the valuable Drew Forest, which we’ve been working so hard to save, but also the National Forests which may be opened to greatly expanded logging,” Conley said in regards to the importance of the proclamation.

“This will not only devastate the forests, but also remove trees that cleanse our air. And if we don’t protect the forests right here in our country, how can we ask Brazil and other South American countries to preserve the Amazon, the lungs of the Earth? So this is a good reminder of the importance of forests.”

MADISON – The Drew Forest has two new benefactors: artists Margaret Malishchak and Molly Polevoy, who are collaborating on limited edition stained glass panels to help fund the Drew Forest’s conservation.

They are bringing their artwork to the Borough Council meeting Monday, March 24 at 50 Kings Road to show Mayor Robert Conley and elected officials.

“The Drew Forest is important to Molly and me,” said Malishchak, who lives in Madison’s Fairwood neighborhood close to the university.

“The forest is one of the few remaining places where children can see turtles sunning on logs, where Blue Herons fly and native bluebells pop up in spring.”

Malishchak started Glass4Good five years ago so that she could “use art to create more good in the world.” She donates all proceeds from sales—some $16,000 so far—to various state and local environmental and social justice groups.

We believe that the entire Drew Forest should be preserved.  It is treasured by the community for its ecological, educational, and recreational value. 

We also believe this Court’s decision which considers approximately 35.6 of the 51.6 acres to be developable is flawed.  We stand by our independent ecological expert who determined that that the Drew Forest “has extremely high value as a preserved open space where it can continue in its current capacity.”

Development of the property would eliminate a significant source of groundwater recharge to the Buried Valley Sole Source Aquifer.  It would also disrupt ongoing public and student use of the land and long-term research projects that are being carried out there. It would remove identified habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat and many irreplaceable large trees.

By BRETT FRIEDENSOHN Managing Editor Mar 7, 2025 

MADISON – The borough Thursday, March 6 appealed a state Superior Court court ruling saying that almost two-thirds of the Drew Forest is developable.

State Superior Court Judge Stephen Hansbury said in a ruling Friday, Feb. 14 that about 35.6 of the forest’s 51.6 acres is developable.

The next step after the state Superior Court is the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. “While the legal process continues, we remain open to settlement discussions with Drew University,” the Borough of Madison said in a statement.

“From the start, Madison has viewed affordable housing as a moral responsibility, not just a legal obligation. We remain committed to preserving the Drew Forest—a vital natural resource for Madison and surrounding communities—while also ensuring the development of affordable housing, in a way that best serves the taxpayers of Madison.”The Friends of the Drew Forest said in a statement that the decision is flawed.

“We believe that the entire Drew Forest should be preserved,” the Friends said. “It is treasured by the community for its ecological, educational, and recreational value.”

“Congratulations on saving the Forest!”

“Great news on the Forest. Now you can relax.”

“You must be so relieved. Great work!”

Friends of the Drew Forest has received messages like these over the past two months from well-wishers who support our journey to preserve the beloved Drew Forest. 

We wish we could relax