The Urban Forestry Award this year, nominated by the Thomas Jefferson SWCD, goes to the Town of Louisa. The Town of Louisa, with the assistance of the David Stone of Department of Forestry, has planted more than 60 trees in the last three years. At first they planted trees on public land with financial assistance from a Department of Forestry Community Forestry Grant.

Since then they have done something very unique, planting trees on private land using public money for the public good. They are doing this because the best planting places along the public thoroughfares in Louisa are on private land. The Town buys and plants the trees and provides water and maintenance for the first few years. The tree belongs to the private landowner once it is planted.

In addition to this program the Town of Louisa wanted to plant trees in the courthouse downtown area. Lacking adequate planting space the town bought nine large tree containers and planted various urban-hardy maple species that will not grow high into the powerlines. Also the town plans to plant trees along new sidewalks that are planned for along Rt. 33 and along a new bypass when it is constructed.

The planting of trees and the planned planting of trees has spurred local interest to further beautify the Town of Louisa and to apply for grants to bury powerlines and enhance the downtown area with new sidewalks and more tree planting.

Brian Marks, Director of Public Works for the Town of Louisa accepted this award.