NEWS: City Forester Honored with Professional Service Award

HILLSDALE, Mich. (1/24/23) — The Michigan chapter of the International Society for Arboriculture (ISA Michigan) has recognized Hillsdale City Forester Gary Stachowicz with their Professional Service Award. The Professional Service Award recognizes outstanding service and contributions to the arboriculture or urban forestry professions in the state of Michigan.

Stachowicz was nominated for the award by Kevin Sayers, Michigan’s urban forestry coordinator at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who offered high praise for the longtime City of Hillsdale employee.

“He’s more than deserving,” Sayers said. “He has been a pleasure to work with for all these years. Professional, knowledgeable and dedicated in every way.”

Stachowicz retired on Jan. 26, 2023, after working for the City of Hillsdale for 17 years. During his employment, he tended to Hillsdale’s urban forest canopy, along with pitching in on various Department of Public Services (DPS) projects as needed. Thanks to his efforts, Hillsdale achieved Tree City USA status every single year during his time working for the municipality, which has kept alive a 44-year unbroken tradition.

"With the knowledge and training that Gary has shared with his co-workers, contractors and residents throughout his tenure at the City, we will be able to keep our Tree City USA tradition for many years to come," said Hillsdale City Department of Public Services Director Jason Blake. "Working closely with Gary over the past 16 years, I am confident that because of his teaching, he has effectively prepared his coworkers to continue to keep the standard he set."

“Gary is the very definition of reliable and dependent,” said Jake Hammel, electric superintendent for the Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities. “He is also incredibly passionate about nurturing and taking care of the trees in the City of Hillsdale. It was a pleasure to work alongside him.”

Stachowicz will formally accept his Professional Service Award on Wednesday, Feb. 15, during ISA Michigan’s ArborCon, held in Lansing, Michigan.

The City of Hillsdale would like to thank Stachowicz for his many years of dedicated service to our community and wish him the best in retirement.