About Saddler's Woods
Saddler's Woods is a 25 acre urban forest located in Haddon Township, New Jersey. Saddler's Woods surrounds the headwater spring of the main branch of the Newton Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River in Camden County, and is unique for its combined features of an old growth forest, young woodlands, and wetlands all located within five miles of Philadelphia, PA. Every year, thousands of visitors enjoy Saddler's Woods for passive recreation and nature interpretation.

The old growth portion is a time-capsule, showing visitors the type of forest that once existed when the Arowmen and Erinwonek tribes of the Leni Lenape nation lived here. In the early 1600s, European settlers began to arrive and the forests were cleared for farms, timber, and fuel. In the 1800s, Joshua Saddler escaped a Maryland plantation to seek refuge among the large Quaker abolitionist population. Joshua Saddler found work with a local Quaker farmer, Cy Evans, and gained his freedom. He purchased a small farm and raised his family next to the woods. In 1868 Joshua Saddler wrote into his will that none of his heirs "shall cut the timber thereon". For this preservation ethic, the woods, were officially named in his honor in January 2004. Previously, the woods had never had any official name or designation.

Saddler's Woods Conservation Association
Saddler's Woods Conservation Association, SWCA, is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to education, restoration, and research of Saddler's Woods. Through programs, tours, hands on restoration, and field studies, we strive to promote the natural and cultural resources unique to this 25 acre urban forest.

Saddler's Woods Welcome Area 250 MacArthur Boulevard, Haddon Township, NJ 08033

The organization was formed by Haddon Township residents who were active in the movement to save the woods from an athletic fields development plan. But saving the woods was just the beginning. Unfortunately, Saddler's Woods had suffered decades of fragmentation and neglect. Since its preservation, SWCA volunteers have worked vigorously, logging hundreds of hours towards restoration and education. For its efforts, SWCA was honored by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, ANJEC, with an Environmental Achievement Award.

SWCA achieves its goals by partnering with community groups and area schools and by utilizing grant funds for restoration, education, and research. To date, SWCA has received grants from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc., the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Camden County's Open Space Clean Communities program, Conservation Resources Inc., REI, Marlton, the William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation, and Subaru of America Inc..

SWCA, is managed by a volunteer board directors; three Advisory Directors, a Director of Communications,a Director of Education, a Director of Forest Management, a Director of Finance and an Executive Director. SWCA is currently recruiting for administrative assistance!

Lucia DiNapoli, Advisory Director
Lucia holds a B.A. in Communications and Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and is continuing her studies there in the Master's program for Environmental Studies. Lucia advises the organization regarding outreach, publicity, and succession planning.

John Nystedt, Advisory Director
John applies his industry experience in an advisory capacity to the managing directors of SWCA. John is an associate at Andropogon Associates, Ltd. in Philadelphia, is a N.J. Certified Landscape Architect, and has 25 years of experience in landscape architecture and ecological planning.

Maggi Downham, Advisory Director
Maggi worked for many years to preserve Saddler's Woods, and was honored by the Delaware Riverkeeper organization and the Audubon Wildlife Society for her activism and stewardship. She is a teacher of business education with a Master of Arts Degree from Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. Maggi serves on many local boards such as the environmental commission and the planning and zoning board and offers her experience on local history and civic relations to the managing directors of SWCA.

Robyn Jeney, Director of Forest Management
Robyn has worked for the New Jersey Pinelands Commission since graduating from Penn State University in 2004. She earned a Masters degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in December of 2008. Robyn is responsible for the active management of Saddler's Woods to restore and protect native habitat.

Jesse Buerk, Director of Communications
Jesse holds a Master's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He is currently employed with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Jesse is responsible for newsletters, media relations, and community outreach.

Donna Moffett, Director of Education
Donna manages and executes tours, programs, and hands on education initiatives in order to enhance the public's appreciation for Saddler's Woods. Donna has also served as Acting Executive Director. Donna received her Bachelor of Arts degree in geography from Rowan University and her Master of Science degree in environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She has loved the outdoors since birth and hopes to help in maintaining the beautiful spaces on earth.

David Jacobs, Director of Finance
In addition to assisting with activities in the woods, David maintains the financial records for the association and pursues grant opportunities. David received his B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of New Jersey.

Janet Goehner-Jacobs, Executive Director
Janet has over 15 years of management experience. Janet was active in the movement to save Saddler's Woods from development and worked to found an organization dedicated to Saddler's Woods when preserved. Janet executes grants, oversees daily operations, and ensures that SWCA succeeds in its core initiatives of restoration, education and research.

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