HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-2024-477 - Update on Urban Forestry Program
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: December 2, 2024
SUBMITTED BY: Jeffery Silcox-Childs, Director, Parks & Cemeteries, 519-783-8877
Rosa Bustamante, Director, Planning and Housing Policy,
519-783-8929
PREPARED BY: Hajnal Kovacs, Forestry Project Manager, 519-783-8864
Gaurang Khandelwal, Planner (Policy), 519-783-8937
Carrie Musselman, Sr Env. Planner, 519-783-8940
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: November 4, 2024
REPORT NO.: INS-2024-477
SUBJECT: Update on Urban Forestry Program
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to update Council on the ways through which we have
improved and expanded our forestry program, and how we are working towards further
.
There are no financial implications arising from this report.
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path
to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment
while transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to
make climate-positive choices.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kitchener adopted the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy (SUFS) in 2019 which
articulated and
sustainably managed urban forest for the community and residents in the city. The SUFS
presents a vision and goal for a sustainable urban forest identifying 15 actions intended to
guide future decisions and priorities.
In 2022, Council endorsed a tree canopy target of 30 percent for each ward by 2050 and an
overall City-wide tree canopy target of 33 percent by 2070. In 2023, staff reviewed the
existing tree conservation processes and identified specific enhancement opportunities to
current tree conservation tools and processes. The intent of the review was to extend and
strengthen the tree conservation measures that support the tree canopy target.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
This report updates Council on ways through which we have improved and expanded
urban forestry program, and the ways through which we continue to enhance
urban tree canopy cover to support the tree canopy target.
REPORT:
Forestry and Planning Staff have initiated several projects with the objective of improving
cover. The projects are:
1. Tree Planting Planner
About: A new tree planting planner tool was developed to integrate and visualize
multiple data sets, including the existing tree inventory, tree canopy cover from the
2019 LiDAR, utilities and transportation projects, land surface temperature, census
data, and tree equity analysis. The tool's primary objective is to help Staff confidently
identify priority areas for tree planting, particularly in locations with significant canopy
gaps, ensuring a targeted and equitable approach to increasing canopy coverage.
Next Steps: Staff are using the tool to plan spring and fall tree planting.
2. Future Tree Assets
About: In support of the Asset Management Plan, staff have projected that the City
will assume responsibility for an additional 6,895 street trees in approximately the
next five years, with a variance of +/- 439.
This projection will help the City prepare for a growing tree inventory, currently
standing at 73,974 trees.
Next Steps: Staff are working with the Asset Management team to ensure the value
of these living assets is correctly captured in our Asset Management Plans.
3. Community Canopy Pilot Chandler Mowat
About: In the spring of 2024, the Community Canopy project was launched in
partnership with Reep Green Solutions, a local non-profit organization, with partial
aimed to increase tree canopy coverage in the Chandler Mowat neighbourhood by
engaging residents and enhancing both public and private green spaces.
Residents were offered the opportunity to plant trees on their properties at little to no
cost, while City Staff focused on planting additional trees on City-owned land. To
where participants suggested tree planting locations on an interactive map and voted
on priority areas for planting.
The project successfully planted 100 large-caliper trees on public land and 30 mature
trees on private property, contributing to the greening of the neighbourhood.
Next Steps: The Community Canopy program will become an annual initiative,
targeting areas with low tree canopy coverage. To reach canopy targets,
we will require tree planting on both public and private lands. Therefore, each year,
the program aims to plant at least 100 large-caliper trees on public land and over 30
trees on private properties, with minimal to no cost to participating residents. To guide
future planting efforts, staff are developing an Engage page to gather community
input on prioritizing tree planting in communities with low tree equity scores.
4. Block Pruning Program
About: To address the backlog of pruning requests and perform needed tree
maintenance, staff have developed a block pruning dashboard and block pruning
programwere divided by Planning Communities and grouped into
10 manageable areas, or blocks, each containing just under 6,000 trees. This
structure supports a 10-year pruning cycle, which was initiated in the spring of 2024.
By adhering to this block pruning schedule, staff can provide equitable, routine tree
maintenance across the City, rather than responding only to individual complaints
and requests. While the industry standard for an optimal block pruning program is
typically 7 years, the goal, currently based on available budget is to meet targets
within the 10-year cycle. Staff will continuously look to improve the program to
increase the frequency of pruning, in hopes of moving towards a 7-year schedule.
Next Steps: Continue implementing the pruning schedule. Determine if current
budget will be sufficient for achieving a 10-year pruning cycle of all City-owned trees.
5. Field Maps for Contractors and Internal Crews
About: To enhance workflow and oversight of both internal crews and external
contractors, staff developed an interactive live map, integrated with City Works, the
display tree-related work orders. This
Field Maps GIS application provides easy access to real time work order data. Staff
create a work order and attach the associated tree assets for that work and the
following day all asset points automatically appear on the map.
The result has been a significant improvement in workflow assignment, real-time
tracking of completed tasks, enhanced communication between crews and staff, and
greater overall efficiency and accuracy in tracking work.
Next Steps: Continue to enhance the tool and productivity monitoring.
6. Urban Forest Map
About: To help enhance and improve communication with residents, staff redesigned
the Urban Forest Map, an interactive dashboard that provides detailed data on the
City of Kitchener's tree inventory and related urban forestry initiatives. There are three
maps:
Trees in Your Neighbourhood: Users can see city trees in their neighbourhood,
search for their address, and get tree specific information including details
about tree planting, stump removals and work programs.
Tree Canopy Coverage: Summarizes the tree canopy coverage (based on
most up to data LiDAR data) in each census dissemination area. This helps
highlight places where we need to focus on tree planting.
Planned Tree Pruning: Overview of the 10-year city tree block pruning cycle.
Search, pan or zoom to an address and find out which year the trees in that
neighborhood will be pruned and the proposed timeline.
The URL to access the map is: Kitchener.ca/urbanforestmap
share
stories about the trees important to them, are available to residents on the urban
https://open-kitchenergis.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/forestry-gallery
Next Steps: Continue enhancing the information that can be communicated through
this mapping tool to help better inform residents and reduce call volume to the
corporate contact center. This will help empower residents to find answers on
demand.
7. Public Tree Bylaw
About: Staff conducted a review of City-owned tree bylaws from several
municipalities to identify potential enhancements to public Tree bylaw. In
October, a survey was posted on Engage to gather public feedback on key bylaw
areas for improvement. Residents were invited to share their views on topics such as
increased compensation fees for damaged or removed City trees, size-based fee
variations, and protections for City trees and soil habitats during construction. In just
three weeks, nearly 200 responses showed strong support for these initiatives.
For more details, visit: https://www.engagewr.ca/cityownedtrees.
Next Steps: Staff are reviewing the public feedback from the survey, assessing
resource requirements for proposed city-owned tree bylaw changes, and are on
target to present a draft bylaw to Council for their consideration in Q1 of 2025.
8. Tree Protection Standards
About: Staff have reviewed and assessed industry standards around tree care
protection standards and are working to update the guidelines for working around
trees. This improved standards and guidelines will accompany the updated public
tree bylaw to help improve our tree retention while working towards our canopy goals.
Next Steps: Create drawings of updated tree protection standards and circulate
internally for feedback.
9. LiDAR Survey
About: Kitchener has completed two LiDAR surveys since 2014 to determine the
total tree canopy cover in the City. This imagery is the most accurate way to calculate
canopy cover. Staff are preparing a project to be able to fly the next LiDAR survey in
2025. This will provide an up-to-date calculation of our current canopy cover and
identify any gains and losses since it was last measured in 2019 at 27%.
Next Steps: The LiDAR survey will provide new tree canopy data for 2025. This data
will be used to monitor tree canopy changes in Kitchener on private and public
property and inform updates to other projects.
10. Tree Management Policy
About: The Tree Management Policy (TMP) has been successful in ensuring
consistent and effective assessment of tree management plans as part of
development applications. The TMP is being further evaluated for improvements
including clarity on when the Policy applies or does not apply in relation to Committee
of Adjustment applications and tree compensation process.
Next Steps: Prepare draft amendments to the Tree Management Policy followed by
internal circulation and targeted engagement with the development industry for
feedback and further refinement. An updated draft Tree Management Policy is
anticipated to be presented to Council for their consideration in Q3 of 2025.
11. Tree Conservation Bylaw
About: Opportunities to enhance the Tree Conservation Bylaw that applies to
privately owned properties in Kitchener are being further evaluated. Staff are
developing a detailed work plan for the evaluation of the Tree Conservation Bylaw.
Key focus areas include determining where the bylaw should apply, establishing
standards for as-of-right development and formalizing the tree compensation
process.
Next Steps: Procurement of an engagement consultant to lead public engagement
in Q1 and Q2 of 2025. An updated draft Tree Conservation Bylaw applicable on
privately owned properties is anticipated to be presented to Council for their
consideration in Q3 of 2025.
12. Licensing of tree care professionals
About: Staff are exploring a business licensing program for tree care professionals
that are working within the City. The licensing bylaw includes a definition of
that
professionals The licensing process verifies that contractors are
insured. An administrative update to the licensing bylaw can clarify who requires a
business license and the contractor qualifications specific to tree care, raising the
standards for those who work with trees in our community.
Next Steps: Continue to work with Legislative Services to explore administrative
revisions to the existing business licensing program.
13. Communication program
About: Staff continue to develop and improve communications strategies and tactics
around tree conservation and tree management in Kitchener.
Staff have revised website content to now have two dedicated web pages: Tree
bylaws and management and Tree planting and maintenance. These updates
improve the organization, navigation and accessibility of current tree care information
and include new features like a public request form for new tree planting.
Further, in collaboration with Communications, staff have implemented routine
educational posts on forestry topics. This includes a five-
Forester responded to resident-submitted questions. These videos highlight
important topics, featuring s The
Instagram videos can be seen here: Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, Video 4, and Video
5.
To support clear communication on tree-related bylaws and best practices, staff are
developing A Guide to Tree Protection, a comprehensive, accessible resource for all
tree-related information. This guide will serve as a valuable tool for residents,
contractors, and staff, to understand and apply tree care guidelines consistently.
Next Steps: Create A Guide to Tree Protection
targeted communication including social media and email posts, drop-in sessions,
and webinars with different community partners.
14. Incentive Program
About: To improve tree retention on private property, staff are exploring ways to
support residents in maintaining their trees, particularly mature trees that contribute
significantly to the urban canopy and serve the greatest socioeconomic and
environmental benefit. The goal is to empower property owners to invest in long-term
tree health, thereby enhancing the overall canopy, supporting canopy retention and
contributing to the overall community benefits that trees provide.
Next Steps: Engage residents to determine what incentive programs would support
their needs in mature tree retention on private properties.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to
a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while
transitioning to a low-carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make
climate-positive choices.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
the council / committee meeting.
CONSULT Community engagement includes a City-owned Tree Conservation and
Management engagement page on Engage Kitchener launched in October 2024. Additional
engagement will occur throughout 2025.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
DSD-2023-161 Tree Conservation Processes Review
INS-2022-002 Tree Canopy Target for Kitchener
INS-20-017 Kitchener Urban Forest Canopy - Update
INS-19-008 Approval of Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy (2019 2028) &
Implementation Plan
REVIEWED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy and Research
Joshua Shea, Manager, Forestry & Natural Areas Management
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
