Cherish Lawrence was formed for the purpose of preserving open space, protecting communities and environmentally sensitive lands, and providing relevant education to the community.

One of the primary goals is to protect the open spaces on the ETS campus in Lawrence, NJ from mega-development. The current proposal under consideration by the Town of Lawrence is to allow 800+ residential units and commercial space on 75 acres of the ETS campus. This would result in:

• Devastation to wildlife & natural habitats: irreversible damage to Stony Brook, its waterways & riparian zones (just wastewater runoff of 800 people alone will ravage Stony Brook & the endagered species inhabiting its waters) + light pollution will imperil & devastate the local & migratory birds + local bats
• An enormous increase in gridlock traffic on our local roadways (Province Line, Carter and Rosedale Rds) + costs of maintenance due to the increase
• A huge surge in the load on our public utilities & services => likely increase in costs, to accomodate
• Overcrowding of schools => increase in costs to accomodate, including salaries, benefits & pensions => potential increase in property taxes
• Steep Increase in safety risks -- none of our local roadways have sidewalks or appropriate bikeways
• Possible health impacts for those households using well water in properties near the proposed developments
• Steep drop in home values => lower tax receipts for township
• Significant effects on running water and sewer lines
• Loss of open spaces on the ETS campus, with negative impacts on families, hikers, nature lovers