If you take a walk in the Drew woods, you’ll see spring ephemerals—the wildflowers that bloom in early spring before the trees leaf out. Once common, ephemerals such as Virginia Bluebells, above, are rare in New Jersey forests due to the ravages of deer and invasive plants.

If you walk around Madison, you’ll see Save the Drew Forest yard signs blooming everywhere (to reserve one of your own, please donate at our website). 

Regional support is growing! Five towns have passed resolutions to preserve the Forest—Chatham Township, Chatham Borough, Morris Township, Parsippany and, of course, Madison. It’s great to see water resources and climate stabilization viewed as a regional win.

What can you do to make preservation a win--for spring ephemerals and birds like the returning wood thrush described in this commentary?  Signup for our newsletter—we’ll provide action alerts.  If you are an alumni, please write to the Drew Trustees and let them know that preserving the Forest with public and private funds is a win for Drew and its legacy as “The University in the Forest.”