What is the latest on the litigation between Drew and Madison?

Madison Borough, Drew University, Fair Share Housing Corp and Friends of the Drew Forest agreed on settlement terms, which were subsequently agreed to by the judge in April 2026. Finalization of this settlement will take place in January 2027 once all of the terms have been executed, including transfer of ownership of the Forest to the Borough as permanent open space.

Have you brought in experts as part of the court proceedings? 

Yes. We retained of one of New Jersey’s top environmental consultants, Davey Resources Group. Davey has produced a sixty-page study that concluded, "The Preserve has limited development potential but extremely high value as a preserved open space." The late Ed Lloyd., a leading legal expert in environmental issues and citizen suit litigation, generously represented Friends of the Drew Forest on a pro bono basis. More information can be found here.

What would the environmental impact of a housing development be?

Cutting roads through a mature, intact forest would fragment and severely degrade a complex, interdependent ecosystem. Development would also reduce the Forest’s significant climate benefits: aquifer recharge, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration and flood mitigation.

After Hurricane Ida, the Forest captured and purified large quantities of water, filtering it to the Buried Valley Aquifer, an underground reservoir where 30 towns get their drinking water.

How big is the Forest?

The area outlined in yellow is approximately 47 acres. The land has been undeveloped since 1867 when Daniel Drew purchased an estate called “The Forest.” Drew’s campus is currently 163 acres.

What is a market-value conservation sale?

Here are the steps Chatham Township took when it purchased 130 acres from a commercial developer to create the Giralda Farms Preserve, a public park:

1. An appraisal established the value of the land.

2. A willing buyer and a willing seller agreed on a fair market value.

3. The buyer assembled funding from municipal, county, state, nonprofit and individual contributors.

4. The seller received the funds.

5. The land was preserved for public use.

How is the sale being funded?

The $5 million raised by Friends of the Drew Forest will be added to grants and funding coming from municipal, non-profit, county, state and federal government sources.

Why is the Forest regionally significant?

The Forest has two glacial ponds, deep dells and 22 deer-fenced acres, along with some of the oldest trees in Morris County. The Hepburn Woods and the Zuck Arboretum have undergone a 15-year restoration under the leadership of Dr. Sara Webb. These deer-fenced areas now have a flourishing understory of native wildflowers and native trees that have created biodiverse habitats that are rare in New Jersey forests, and especially rare in forests within Morris County.

Why did eight municipalities vote to send Resolutions or Letters supporting conservation of the Forest?

Aquifer recharge and proximity to neighboring parks are two of the top reasons. The Forest provides integrated ecosystems and trails that add value to Giralda Farms Preserve, Loantaka Brook Reservation and the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge.

How can the Forest be saved when a large house of worship was approved by the Planning Board?

When Drew sold the land where Alumni House stood, no rezoning was required. Plans for a mosque did not require variances, even for parking.

Is there going to be development on the campus?

Yes. The settlement involves the creation of two new parcels to be subdivided for inclusionary housing. One area is behind the United Methodist Church in Madison, and the other is between Madison Avenue and the frontage of Ranger Stadium. Approximately 300 market-rate and affordable housing units with parking are anticipated on these two lots.