HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC - 2016-06-02 - Item 2 - Sustainable Urban Forest Management Program
Project Introduction - Document 1
Developing a Sustainable Urban Forest Management Program
All artistic drawings in this report are copyright by Emily S. D
Urban forests are systems of trees, other vegetation, and water
within any urban area. They can be understood as dynamic green i
Urban forests are forests for people
.
Operations, Infrastructure Service Department
City of Kitchener
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Project introduction
Developing a sustainable urban forest program
Introduction
Section
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Developing a sustainable urban forest management program
Project Description
This project will initiate the development of a Sustainable Urba
urban forest strategic plan for the public and private urban for
trees on city lands. A sustainable program sets the course of ac
that can also be achieved and maintained based on the true capac
Project Deliverables
Work Activities & DocumentsDescription
#1 Project Introduction
stakeholders. It provides a description of the project, the
(Information only)
deliverables, time lines and introduces key concepts.
This document will provide detailed information about the city's
#2 Background Analysis
(information only)
key issues, and challenges (e.g. existing maintenance levels,
climate change, the private urban forest, etc.)
#3.1 StrategyCreates a long term vision (50 to 100 years) for the public and
(Council approval)private urban forest, and sets broad, long-term goals.
# 3.2 Policy
next ten years. The policy recommendations will address the;
(Council approval)1) Urban Tree Canopy on Public Lands, 2) Urban Tree Canopy
on Private Lands, 3) Street & Park Trees on City Lands, and 4)
Natural Areas on City Lands.
Guided by the strategy and policy the asset management
plan will state how the urban forest, on city lands, will be
Asset Management Plan
(Department approval)
the associated costs and risks.
Project Schedule
20162017
SummerSpringOngoing
FallWinter
Project introduction (#1)
June
Background analysis (#2)
August
Stakeholder input & consultation Information, consultation and updates
Urban Forest Strategy & Policy (#3.1, 3.2)1st Draft2nd Draft
Final
Community Workshop \ Event October
Strategic Council Session Oct 24
Council approval
May-June
Initiate framework, procedures, best practices
Asset Management Plan Develop
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Kitcheners Strategic Plan
Kitcheners Strategic Plan (2015-2018) provide the direction to
out this project - develop a sustainable urban forest
managment program. In section 4.1 of the plan it states that the
will manage and enhance the urban forest so that it will contin
make a long-term contribution to the livability of Kitchener .
The urban forest on city lands, which includes trees along
residential streets, within parks and natural areas is recognize
corporate asset in the citys Corporate Asset Management Program
Corporate Asset Management Program
(I-506). The citys Strategic Plan also managing the citys Policy
Policy
Policy
corporate assets as a as a strategic plan initiative.
Figure 1, below provides an overview of these connections to
Kitcheners Strategic Plan and its asset management policy.
Figure 1
Urban forest linkages to Kitcheners Strategic Plan
Keeping large stature trees healthy and functional is one of th
investments communities can make.
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health), and the environmental functions (e.g. pollution mitigat
Environmental, economic and social research continues to show th
Structure
(pollution mitigation)
(size, health, leaf area)
The return
on trees is
each dollar spent on
maintenance, between
are realized each year,
"Having 10 or
depending on the city.
more trees on
TD Economics - Special Report
September 14, 2014
your block has
The value of the urban forests in
cities across Canada.
self-reported health
$10,000 salary raise"
Toronto Star, July 14, 205
(Neighborhood greenspace and
health in a large urban centre)
The "Background Analysis" document, available in August will provide more
create a livable, healthy and resilient city.
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An introduction to urban forest sustainability.
In 1997, James R. Clark and others wrote the seminal paper A Model of Urban Forest
Sustainability four principles of a sustainable urban
ECOLOIGIALRESOURCE
four principles of a sustainable urban
RESOURCE(Asset)
forest, that are
(Trees, Soils, Wildlife)MANAGEMENT
forest, that are
1.
Sustainability is a broad, general goal.
2.
Urban forests primarily provide services rather than goods.
COMMUNITY
FRAMEWORK
3.
Sustainable urban forests require human intervention.
4.
Trees growing on private lands compose the majority of urban for
Based on these four principles the authors proposed a
The naturally occurring and planted trees in cities which are m
level of economic, social,
three core ideas must also be accepted
three core ideas must also be accepted
1.
2.
3.
cities.
model that was founded on
Based on these ideas they proposed a three components
three components
1.
Community framework - a shared community vision, that also resul
2.
Resource (asset) management - the management philosophy and mana
3.
development a sustainable urban forest program. Collectively, th
point for this discussion with stakeholders.
Sustainable Urban Forest Principles
Recognize the urban forest as an important community asset contr
1.
Engage the community in the conservation, management and steward
2.
3.
Establish an appropriate and achievable urban tree canopy goal.
4.
Manage the public urban forest infrastructure within an integrat
5.
Use emerging science, technology and practices to create a susta
6.
Protect, manage and renew the public tree resource and soil habi
7.
Conserve and restore public natural areas while providing commun
8.
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An introduction to asset (resource) management.
Figure 3
This project considers the goals of achieving a sustainable urba
of the asset, while minimizing costs
with the goals of asset management, which is the act of providin
and risks is the cornerstone of asset
management
All assets have lifecycle stages (e.g. plant, mature, dead) whic
and the costs (e.g. planning, management, planting, protection,
stumping) are referred to as lifecycle costs .
City assets are supported by the community because they provide
sequestration, pollution mitigation) to the community. When mana
large stature tree that has a diameter greater than 40 cm at mat
monitoring and the implementation of best practices a sustainabl
The costs to maintain a tree, shown by the red line,
are high at the time of planting\establishment and
at the end of the trees life as it declines and must
be removed \ stumped.
exceed the cost to maintain it.
All artistic drawings in this report are copyright by Emily S. D
All artistic drawings in this report are copyright by Emily S. DAll artistic drawings in this report are copyright by Emily S. D
Trees that die before they reach their
expected lifespan, provide very few
the time line, between "mature" and
"senescent", which can represent 40
plus years, has been compressed
limited resources.
considerably
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urban forest is on private lands, and that the greatest opportun
private lands. Developing a sustainable urban forest will requir
key component of a sustainable urban forest.
The proposed community framework for a sustainable urban forest Strategic Plan
-
Strategic Plan
Together, we will build an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitche and that the city
will actively seek to work with others. The evolving Neigbhourhofurther supports this vision stating that
the city will;
Figure 5
Community Framework
Communicate - provide science based and timely
1.
COMMUNICATE
protection, and maintenance.
Engage - consult with the community, provide opportunities
2.
for input, the exchange of ideas and collaboration.
ENGAGE
DONATIONS
- support the active care and monitoring of the
Stewardship
3.
urban forest by individuals, community groups and business.
Partnerships encourage and support the establishment
4.
-
urban forest stewardship program for the private lands.
PARTNERSHIPSSTEWARDSHIP
Donations
5.
and services in kind from individuals, community groups and
private corporations, with a particular focus on private lands.
Informing, engaging and supporting stewardship activities on the
sustainable urban forest that contributes to a healthy and livea
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To learn more about Kitchener's tree canopy, the importance of t
how many trees the city prunes, removes, stumps and plants each
(i.e. climate change, tree protection) stayed tuned for the next
Analysis" (August 2016).
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This document provides a brief introduction to this project whic
forest (pg. 9) will be covered in more detail, along with identi
maintenance levels, climate change, the private urban forest, et
will provide the basis for the discussion of developing a strate
that will occur through the fall and winter. Through these step
participation and input.
trees@kitchener.ca
www.kitchener.ca/trees
www.kitchener.ca/trees
(David Schmitt MES, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager
All artistic drawings in this report are copyright by Emily S. D
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