Fredericksburg Notes: Treasurer Brenda Wood Announces Retirement, Urban Forestry Program Flourishes

After more than two decades of dedicated service to the community, City Treasurer Brenda Wood has announced her retirement, effective at the end of the year. Wood, the City Treasurer since January 2014, will not seek re-election in November 2025.

Wood’s career with the City spans more than 23 years, with her most notable role being Treasurer. Before stepping into that role, she served as Chief Deputy Treasurer under G.M. Haney. Wood’s leadership helped bring the Treasurer’s office to new heights, including successfully implementing new financial systems and the recent upgrade to the city’s online payment portal. Under her watch, the office achieved accreditation, a mark of excellence in municipal finance.

“I am honored to have served the citizens of this great city for the past 23 years and proud of the accomplishments of this office,” Wood stated. “I have been blessed with a dream-team staff, and I know the service will continue to exceed expectations. It’s time for me to focus more on family and explore other ways to serve my community.”

The Treasurer’s position is an elected office, with the next election scheduled for November 2025. Those interested in running for the position must file a complete candidate packet by June 17, 2025.

Urban Forestry Program Growth and Future Plans

As one city leader steps down, another team continues its essential work for Fredericksburg’s environment. Since 2008, Tree Fredericksburg has partnered with the city to plant and maintain trees, reaching a significant milestone in 2024 by planting 10,000 trees. After accomplishing this goal, Tree Fredericksburg handed much of its work to the city, which hired Bicknell Robbins, a certified arborist, to manage the transition.

The City is also advancing its Urban Forestry Program by introducing a comprehensive Tree Inventory Program. Utilizing ARCGIS software, the program allows the City to catalog and monitor the health of over 190 tree species. This database helps identify potential issues such as pests or diseases early on and provides valuable data to plan future plantings. A public-facing inventory version will soon be available on the City’s website, allowing residents to track trees and report concerns.

The City is also moving forward with plans to develop an Urban Forestry Master Plan, which will guide the long-term health of Fredericksburg’s tree canopy. This plan will build on findings from a canopy study conducted with the University of Virginia and a tree inventory made possible by grants from the Department of Forestry.

In fiscal year 2024 alone, the City planted 549 new trees, pruned 1,153, removed 165, and ground 140 stumps, demonstrating Fredericksburg’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and thriving urban forest.

Here is more information on the Urban Forestry Program and to view a recent City Council presentation.