• The latest news!

    Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Sen. Corey Booker have secured $4.1 million in Federal funding for the Drew Forest! Together with the $5 million approved by Morris County, a conservation sale is starting to look possible. But there’s more money neededβ€”and more to be done. Don’t miss a beat!

  • Prominent Ecologist Calls for Preserving the Drew Forest

    Dr. Douglas Tallamy, the best-selling author of Nature’s Best Hope, well-known etymologist and wildlife ecologist, and co-founder of the Homegrown National Park movement, created a special video to advocate for the preservation of the biodiverse Drew Forest, which he describes as an β€œurban forest of exceptional value.”

  • Sign the Petition

    The biodiverse 53-acre Drew Forest in Madison, New Jersey is at risk. Join usβ€”and 15,000+ petition signersβ€”to help preserve the Forest as open space.

    This petition calls on the officials of Madison, surrounding towns, Morris County, the State of New Jersey, and Drew University to work together to achieve the goal of a permanently preserved Drew Forest.

  • Soaring Support for Permanent Conservation of Drew Forest

    Community support for a conservation sale of the Drew Forest continues to build. Learn more about why seven New Jersey towns, environmental commissions, regional environmental groups and even Drew University’s CLA Student Government wants to save the Drew Forest.

  • How a Conservation Sale Works

    Saving the Drew Forest for the public, for Drew students, and for wildlife can happen through a conservation sale. Learn what public funds are available and why we believe a market-value conservation sale is a financial and environmental win-win.

  • Valentines to Share!

    Pick a design to share on social media or print at home. β€˜Tis the season for Forest love! Check out our 3rd annual Valentine collection, courtesy of Bethania Viana, Drew β€˜17.

The biodiverse 53-acre Drew Forest in Madison, New Jersey is at risk.

Join usβ€”and 15,000+ petition signersβ€”to help preserve the Forest as open space. Learn why a market-value conservation sale is a win-win for the public and Drew University’s financial future. 

How can you help?

The Friends of the Drew Forest is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by environmental leaders from Madison and neighboring towns, dedicated community volunteers and Drew University alumni.

Our vision is that the Drew Forest Preserve will be permanently protected as open space through a conservation sale that will strengthen Drew University and its financial future. Instead of selling to a developer, we propose a win-win: If Drew works with Madison Borough to sell this special land for full market value to a conservation buyer, Drew could benefit financially while securing the Forest for student and public use.

  • Our petition calls on the officials of Madison, surrounding towns, Morris County, the State of New Jersey, and Drew University to work together to achieve the goal of a permanently preserved Drew Forest. Since May 2021, we have collected over 14,000 signatures.

    SIGN THE PETITION

  • Show your support for the Drew Forest right in your yard! Help us cover Morris County and expand our community reach. Get one of our bright blue signs today.

    RESERVE A YARD SIGN

  • If you live in Madison, say, β€œThank you!” to the Borough Council for doing all they can to preserve the Drew Forest. Email a brief, supportive note to the Mayor about why you care, your name, and your town. Please copy the Town Clerk, Elizabeth Osborne, so that you email will be noted at the council meeting.

    Mayor Robert H. Conley
    mayor@rosenet.org

    Mayor and Council
    osbornee@rosenet.org

  • In the spirit of preserving and protecting New Jersey’s critical natural systems and environmentally sensitive areas for the community and the wildlife it supports, neighboring towns in Morris County and beyond are able to join the movement by passing resolutions in support of saving the Drew Forest through a conservation sale.

  • Receive our monthly newsletter and keep up to date with all things related to the Drew Forest. See our newsletter archive here.

    NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

  • Donate today to support our critical and indispensable efforts to permanently preserve the Drew Forest. Your donation will support our tireless education and outreach. We are currently working to obtain further independent analyses of the Drew Forest from leading environmental experts to investigate the Forest’s environmentally significant attributes at risk of being lost forever to development.

    With your help, we’ll get the additional data necessary to:

    • Protect the Drew Forest from development;

    • Apply for conservation funding;

    • Manage the Drew Forest when it is preserved as open space for all to enjoy.

    DONATE

  • Would you like to help us save the Drew Forest? Contact us and we’ll be in touch!

    CONTACT US

Recent News

Featured Media

Prominent Ecologist Calls for Preserving the Drew Forest

Dr. Douglas Tallamy, entomologist, wildlife ecologist, best-selling author of Nature’s Best Hope, and co-founder of the Homegrown National Park movement, has released a special video that lauds the biodiverse Drew Forest as β€œregionally important” and β€œan urban forest of exceptional value.” He says,β€œIt’s extremely important, that all parties come together to preserve the Drew Forest.”

Learn about the biodiversity oasis that is the Drew Forest Preserve, located on Drew University’s campus in Madison, New Jersey.

Videographer Paul Morgan used a drone to show what the Drew Forest looks like from a bird's perspective.

The Legacy of the Drew Forest by Bill Lynch, an independent filmmaker from Florham Park.

15,000+ Petition Signatures

Our petition calls on the officials of Madison, surrounding towns, Morris County, the State of New Jersey, and Drew University to work together to achieve the goal of a permanently preserved Drew Forest.

Make a donation.

Donate today to support our critical and indispensable efforts to permanently preserve the Drew Forest. Your donation will support our tireless education and outreach. We are currently working to obtain further independent analyses of the Drew Forest from leading environmental experts to investigate the Forest’s environmentally significant attributes at risk of being lost forever to development.

With your help, we’ll get the additional data necessary to:

  • Protect the Drew Forest from development;

  • Apply for conservation funding;

  • Manage the Drew Forest when it is preserved as open space for all to enjoy.

Follow our journey.