Fitchburg, Dane County, Wisconsin – City of Fitchburg, City of Fitchburg Parks and Forestry staff and the Urban Tree Alliance have received a Gold Leaf Award from the International Society of Arboriculture for efforts to increase tree canopy in Huegel Jamestown Park.
Over the last several years, City of Fitchburg staff have removed all the dead and dying ash trees from Huegel Jamestown Park. To remedy the loss of these trees, the City of Fitchburg partnered with the Urban Tree Alliance to plant trees in public parks and rights of way in underserved neighborhoods, including Huegel Jamestown Park. City staff removed the infested trees, created a tree planting plan, and recruited tree planting volunteers. The Urban Tree Alliance provided the trees, hand tools, and technical expertise to teach the volunteers proper tree planting techniques. On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Fitchburg Fireflies 4-H Club, Tree Advisory Committee, Huegel Jamestown neighborhood volunteers, elected officials, and City of Fitchburg staff planted 18 trees in the Huegel Jamestown Park in the City of Fitchburg. The project between these groups created cross generational outreach, inclusion, education, and ownership between all organizations, and will hopefully create a lasting outcome on the neighborhood and the community as a whole.
Because of this project, tree canopy and its benefits will be distributed more equally in the City of Fitchburg. The trees were purchased through a grant made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. Representatives from the City of Fitchburg and the Urban Tree Alliance will accept the award at Wisconsin Arborist Association awards luncheon at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay in February.
About the Gold Leaf Award
The ISA Gold Leaf Award, given by local chapters of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), recognizes individuals, organizations, or communities for significant contributions to community beautification or outstanding Arbor Day activities, promoting tree care, conservation, and education. It's a chapter-level award celebrating local impact, highlighting projects like educational programs or urban forest enhancements that benefit the community long-term.
Learn more about the ISA Gold Leaf Award: https://www.isa-arbor.com/Membership/Member-Recognition/Gold-Leaf-Award