Project Description:

The Urban Forest Assessment together with the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) will aim to increase, protect, and maintain the City of Port Colborne’s urban forest, develop community interest in urban trees and further public health and safety. The UFMP will satisfy other goals and priorities of the City of Port Colborne including community awareness and education on the importance of urban trees, tree canopy and greenhouse gas reduction and increased development of the tree canopy in disadvantaged community areas.

The trees and woodlands of The City of Port Colborne’s urban forest will be maintained and enhanced for the long term, in recognition of the valued environmental, social and economic services they provide. The City will work with its partners and the community in the urban and rural areas to ensure that this essential resource is managed effectively to maximize tree cover and health, increase native biodiversity, minimize risks to public.

The UFMP will proactively guide the preservation, management, and enhancement of the City’s trees and forests on public owned lands in the urban area for a 20-year period as well as a focused 5-year operational plan. It is intended that the recommendations over time will transition the City from a reactive to a proactive urban forest management, thereby increasing operational efficiency and effectiveness, improving tree health and diversity, reducing risk to the public and increasing the wide-ranging benefits provided by a healthy and sustainable urban forest.

The 5-year operational plan in consultation with the UFMP will assist the municipality to guide recommendations and funding for park and street side maintenance in rural and urban environments. This plan will provide a road map of strategic priorities for years 2024-2027, inclusive of timelines, staffing and resource needs.

Background:

We all know that trees are important. Trees are the single solution to many of our challenges, especially in a changing climate. Trees are often called “green infrastructure” because they provide many valuable ecosystem services. These services include improving air and water quality, controlling floods, beautifying neighbourhoods, reducing energy use, providing habitat for wildlife, and providing recreation opportunities.

However, pressures on trees are increasing, due to pests and diseases, drought and severe weather from anthropogenic climate change, development, and invasive species.

Trees live a long time and need to be carefully planned for and managed. That is why the City of Port Colborne needs a comprehensive plan for its urban forest, and what led to Council approving this project as part of the 2022 Capital Budget.

External Support:

The City has retained William & Associates to complete the assessment phase and the planning phase of the Urban Forest Management Project.

Williams & Associates is one of the most experienced and innovative forestry consulting firms in southern Ontario and its principal is well-known for his experience in urban forestry inventory and assessment, strategic and management planning and operations. They specialize in helping move forward municipal programs in these areas.

Community Engagement Opportunity:

In Task 2 Phase 2 of this project residents will have the opportunity to provide engagement and feedback regarding the Urban Forest Management Plan and Strategy for the City. The strategy provides for the Urban Forest Management Plan to represent what the community tells the City that it wants. Public survey closed in January of 2023; the results of this survey will allow the City to focus on ideas from the community to guide in the selection of strategies to adopt to improve urban forest management in Port Colborne.

A Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on June 12, 2023 to provide an opportunity for the community to guide the project. Public feedback on this engagement session was accepted until June 23, 2023.

Approved Budget:

Total Approved Budget: $85,000

Estimated Completion:

March 2024