The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council presented Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta with the 2024 Leadership award during the March 12, 2024, Council meeting. The Leadership Award recognizes an individual or elected official at the county or local level of government who has made an outstanding recent contribution to urban forestry in Wisconsin.
As mayor of the City of Fitchburg, Julia Arata-Fratta is a passionate supporter of trees in the community. She understands the vital social and ecosystem services tree canopy provides to the city and the positive impact trees have on residents’ physical and mental health. While serving as an alderperson, Julia guided the draft tree preservation ordinance through city committees. Once elected mayor, she continued to champion the ordinance and brought it to the Common Council, which passed it with a unanimous vote. As the City continues to develop at a rapid pace, this ordinance will give policymakers the information they need to incorporate existing trees in the development process.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference and presented to winners in their community. To learn more about the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/urbanforests/awards