Madison Borough Honors Professor For Drew Forest Restoration

MADISON, NJ — The Drew University Forest Preserve, 53 acres of intact land with some of Morris County's oldest trees, owes its great biodiversity to 14 years of volunteer work—and the dedication of Dr. Sara Webb, who was recently honored with the Morris Park Alliance's Individual Environment/Conservation Award.

Dr. Webb, Professor Emerita of Biology and Environmental Studies at Drew University, is a forest ecologist involved in research and forest conservation throughout the state.

“The Borough was proud to nominate Dr. Webb for this prestigious and well deserved recognition,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley. “Her continuous effort to go above and beyond to preserve the Hepburn Woods and the Zuck Arboretum within the Drew Forest, as well as laying out the environmental benefits of the forest and its Buried Valley Aquifer to Madison and surrounding communities deserved this recognition,” Conley said.

For many years, Webb has rallied hundreds of students and community volunteers to help restore the Drew Forest's diversity, young trees and pollinators. This has included removing invasive plants such as tree-choking Chinese wisteria, as well as applying for grants to fund deer fencing and the planting of native wildflowers and trees.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Webb said. “But truly it goes to the hundreds of students who’ve studied with me in the Forest and all who have volunteered to make it what it is today.”

According to borough officials, the Drew Forest Preserve is a vital component of the region. It is open to the public and offers walking trails as well as a thriving, intact ecosystem.

“It offers a rare glimpse of what New Jersey’s forests used to be like before deer depleted all undergrowth except for invasive species,” said Joe Basralian, a board member of the Morris Parks Alliance, who introduced Dr. Sara Webb at the awards ceremony.

Basralian went on to explain the forest's importance to North Jersey. “With its glacial ponds and deep dells, the Forest is a primary aquifer recharge area for the Buried Valley Aquifer,” Basralian said. “Thirty towns get their drinking water from this same Aquifer.”