Madison is moving closer to completing its $23.8 million purchase of the Drew Forest, with borough officials outlining a funding plan that could ultimately bring the cost to local taxpayers below $7 million.

The Borough Council approved two additional financial measures Monday, Sept. 28, as officials work toward closing on the property following more than five years of preservation efforts.

The purchase would protect approximately 47 acres of Drew University property, including mature woodland and glacial ponds. The forest also serves as a recharge area for the Buried Valley Aquifer, an important regional groundwater resource.

"We hope to close on the Drew Forest in the next six weeks or so, but we'll only execute the bond purchase when we are fully confident that closing is imminent," Councilman Eric Range said.

During public comment, Madison resident Judy Kroll, co-chair of the Friends of the Drew Forest, praised borough officials for continuing to identify funding opportunities throughout the lengthy preservation effort.

She also encouraged residents to take advantage of the changing season and visit the property.

Morristown Green‍ ‍July 31, 2026

The Friends of the Drew Forest has launched a public campaign to raise the final $5 million needed for Madison Borough to purchase and permanently preserve the more than 47-acre Drew Forest.

The campaign, It’s Time to Save a Forest, comes with a significant incentive: An anonymous donor has pledged to match contributions dollar for dollar, up to $2.5 million. The nonprofit hopes to reach its fundraising goal within the next few weeks.

A major milestone came in January, when Madison Borough and Drew University signed a purchase agreement for the property. Under the agreement, Friends of the Drew Forest is responsible for raising $5 million — including the matching funds — toward the acquisition. The remainder of the purchase will be funded through municipal, nonprofit, county, state and federal sources.

The organization, led by co-chairs Judy Kroll of Madison and Lydia Chambers of Harding, has spent more than three months quietly soliciting donations before launching the public phase of the campaign.

“Seeing the generosity and dedication of this community has been truly humbling, and I’m pleased to report that we are now very close to the finish line,” Kroll said.

“With continued support from our friends and followers, we will reach our fundraising goal,” Chambers said. “Once Madison purchases the forest, we will no longer be in danger of losing that beautiful, mature, and biodiverse forest and all of its benefits.”

Supporters say preserving the forest will protect wildlife habitat and biodiversity while providing cleaner air, stormwater protection, aquifer recharge, carbon sequestration and relief from the urban heat island effect. The property also serves as a living laboratory for Drew University students and offers public access to a mature woodland.

MADISON - Another necessary step was taken on Wednesday, July 29, to save the Drew Forest as the Planning Board approved a lot subdivision to make way for the borough’s ownership of the forest.

Part of the borough’s purchase agreement with Drew University is a commitment from the Friends of the Drew Forest to donate $5 million to the university. Some $2.5 million has been pledged by an anonymous donor, and the Friends are fundraising for the other $2.5 million.

Anyone who wants to donate can visit friendsofthedrewforest.org.

This subdivision application was unusual because it had no proposal for development. Also, the Borough of Madison itself was an applicant before its own Planning Board.

“Not only is some land put aside for public use, recreational use, open space, but the university use is also preserved in the university zone,” said Stephen Joseph, an attorney representing the borough in the role of the applicant.

Madison resident Judy Kroll, co-chair of the Friends of the Drew Forest, said the Friends want to share their appreciation with everyone who has worked on this application.

“This is obviously something that we have been advocating for for five years. And it’s an important official step, and it’s really heartening to see us at this stage,” Kroll said.

“So we would just like to officially say that we’re thankful and appreciative to everything the council has done and to the Planning Board and all the professionals who have worked very hard to get to this point.”