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Fitchburg
Center wins Business Friend of the Environment Award |
Much
of Fitchburg Center's reputation and distinction comes from its environmentally
friendly, community focused design, which is manifested through its commitment
to preserving and enhancing nature, and encouraging people to interact
with their surroundings. More than a 100 acres have been protected throughout the
site to safeguard ridges, trail ways, wetlands, woodlands and prairie.
Greenways have been identified and buildings are placed to protect native
vegetation and wildlife corridors. Site-guided development that retains most stormwater within our confines allows us to minimize the use of concrete
culverts and other manmade stormwater discharge systems.
In 2000, Fitchburg Center's
development team, established a 7.5 acre prairie as the centerpiece for its Town Center. Not only does
the prairie provide a natural and ever-changing source
of beauty, it fulfills a regional stormwater retention need that is capable of
handling a 100-year rain event. The Prairie Swale Association, made up of
current and future residents, manages and maintains this habitat.
Restoration and environmental education programs for students at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, and other educational organizations utilize this
natural amenity for learning purposes. The swale is financially supported
through annual membership dues and Fitchburg Center. Click here to view a comprehensive listing of
plant species found of this evolving ecosystem.
The Capital City Trail, a regional pedestrian and bicycle
path,
winds through the Fitchburg Center landscape, connecting to Capital Springs
Centennial State Park and other regional trails. This link allows ecologically
friendly and scenic travel to the
Ice Age Trail and Mississippi River in the west, and to the glacial drumlin areas
in the east.
Fitchburg Center maintains environmental design
standards that place a high value on preserving wetlands, increasing stormwater
filtration and infiltration through the use of prairie swales and raingardens,
using pervious surfacing whenever possible, and planting local species when
landscaping.
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