May 8, 2025 Madison Eagle, Letter to the Editor by Colette Crescas,

The Friends of the Drew Forest would like to make residents aware of the impact of artificial nighttime light on insects and birds, particularly migratory birds. April – June is peak season for birds migrating north to and through New Jersey, and it might surprise some to know that many species travel long distances during the night. Area forests, including the Drew Forest, provide excellent “stopover habitat” for birds to rest and feed during the day.

These countless birds migrating through New Jersey need dark skies to survive and thrive. In fact, scientists are learning more every year about the negative effects of what they call “ALAN” - Artificial Light At Night - on both plants and animals (including humans). This is not surprising, since we all evolved over millennia with nights being dark and experiencing only natural light from the moon and stars.

Sadly, migrating birds are hurt in various ways, over and above the many millions who die in collisions with lit-up buildings. Birds navigate using natural light, and they get attracted to and confused by artificial light, causing them to waste energy. Certainly, they can’t afford to waste energy on their long, arduous migrations.

Lights can also render those important ‘stopover sites’ less suitable for rest and rejuvenation. In addition, artificial night can even change bird behavior, leading to males’ singing at new times of day. To let artificial lights shine near natural areas such as the Madison Recreational Complex would be horrible for birds.

Insects also get attracted to Artificial Light at Night and are either killed outright or die slowly from the loss of valuable energy spent pursuing artificial lights. Human lighting of the night is a key factor in the decline of insect populations, leading to less food for birds and bats and fewer pollinators for our plants.

Even trees are hurt by ALAN. Not only can bright night-time light influence a tree’s photosynthesis process, but artificial light also leads to trees becoming active too early in spring and staying active too late in the fall. Trees that are near artificial light at night are less healthy and have shorter lives than those that still enjoy the gift of natural darkness.

By Christine Hepburn

A version of this appeared on Apr 30, 2024 in the Madison Eagle, photo by Blaine Rothauser

If you are like most people (including me until my 40s), you hardly know what a warbler is, let alone take note of the many beautiful species that make up this group of migrating birds.

About 50 different species of these small, insect-eating birds with slim beaks can be found in North America, and 35 of these can be seen in New Jersey.

Each warbler species sings its own sweet song, but their voices don’t stand out if you ask me. I’d call them "flitters" rather than "warblers," given how active they are, constantly flitting from branch to branch.

Most warblers will just be passing through town, on the way further north after wintering anywhere from southern Texas down to Peru, depending on the particular species.

The long migrations are perilous times for the warblers who travel by night and rest during the day. “Stopover habitats” with trees and a water supply are very important and of course the Drew Forest provides a wonderful resource for these migrants, along with leafy yards.

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