FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ben Dziobek, Executive Director, CRAN
M: 732-543-3005 | E: ben@climaterevolutionnj.org
West Orange, NJ — Today at 1 pm, WECARE NJ and the Climate Revolution Action Network (CRAN) held a press conference at 61 Howell Drive, West Orange to call for the permanent preservation of the Watchung Ridge Forest and to oppose the proposed 496-unit high-rise development on the Second Ridge.
“The Watchung Mountains are sacred land, not a site for reckless development. Pushing housing to the top of the mountain without water utilities or public transit is irresponsible and dangerous,” said Ben Dziobek, Executive Director of the Climate Revolution Action Network. “Using ‘affordable housing’ as a scapegoat for a project that increases wildfire risk, worsens flooding, and destroys critical habitat is dishonest.”
“Save our sacred land and living culture,” said Acting Chief Vincent Mann, Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation.
The Watchung Second Ridge Forest is a 120-acre mature core forest — the last of its kind in the region. A developer has proposed 496 apartments in four towers on steep, forested slopes that would destroy wetlands, worsen flooding, threaten public drinking water, and erase one of the last major forests in Essex County.
Advocacy Supporters
“We must continue our efforts to protect the forests and open spaces that provide flood protection and many other benefits in the face of increased storms and climate impacts,” said Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, NJ Conservation Foundation.
“Building on the last core forest on Watchung Mountain Second Ridge would devastate forests, wetlands, and drinking water supplies while worsening flooding. This is the wrong project in the worst possible place,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.
“The Sierra Club urges the West Orange Planning Board to reject this proposal and find an appropriate location to fulfill its affordable housing mandates,” said Taylor McFarland, NJ Sierra Club Conservation Program Manager.
Local Electeds
“The negative consequences of this project extend well beyond West Orange. Critical drinking water resources for the region are also under threat,” said Edward Davis, Mayor, Essex Fells.
“The Watchung Mountain Second Ridge forest must be protected. It is a mature ecosystem that provides critical flood protection, purifies our aquifer, stores carbon, and sustains diverse native species,” said Brendan Gill, Commissioner, Essex County.
About We Care NJ
WECARE NJ CORP is committed to mobilizing a large and diverse coalition to ensure that preservation of critical natural resources prevail over irreparable destructive development.
About Climate Revolution Action Network (CRAN)
Founded in 2024, CRAN is an emerging climate action nonprofit with 11,000 Gen-Z members statewide, followed by 50K across social platforms.