Friends of the Drew Forest launches final campaign to preserve 47-acre woodland in Madison
By Morristown Green Contributor 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.
Friends of Drew Forest Co-Chairs Judy Kroll (left) of Madison and Lydia Chambers of Harding Township. Photo courtesy of the Friends.
The Friends, a 501(c)(3) organization formed in April 2021, was created to prevent the forest from being cleared for residential development while also helping provide financial value to Drew University, which owns the property.
For the past five years, supporters have rallied behind the preservation effort by signing petitions, displaying lawn signs, staffing information tables, participating in Madison’s holiday parade and speaking at Borough Council meetings.
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.
More information about the campaign and how to donate is available at the nonprofit’s website.