Residents invited to provide input on Brampton’s first Urban Forest Management Plan
The Voice of Canada News:
BRAMPTON, ON : The City of Brampton is developing its first Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) and residents are invited to provide input to help develop the new strategy via an online survey.
The UFMP will provide the City with a strategic direction to maximize the ecological services and benefits of Brampton’s urban forest by identifying a vision and actions to sustain and enhance the urban forest. This comprehensive plan will explore opportunities such as: strengthening the current policy and regulatory framework, expanding community engagement programs, undertaking more proactive forest management, working with partners on collaborative tree-establishment and implementing urban forest monitoring.
The City began working with Urban Forest Innovations Inc. to develop the UFMP in December 2019. The UFMP is scheduled for completion in 2021.
The UFMP’s success will depend in part on the support of partners and the community, and therefore the City is seeking input from City staff, external organizations, local Indigenous communities, Brampton residents, City Council, and other existing or potential partners.
The community survey is available online from November 2-30 on www.brampton.ca/trees.
Tree Photo Contest: November 2-30
Asking Brampton youth to share their artwork depicting trees for a chance to win an eco-friendly prize pack! All forms of art will be considered including photos, drawings and sculptures. Photos of submissions can be made by posting on Twitter or Facebook using #BramptonTrees and tagging @CityBrampton, or by emailing a photo to BramptonGreenCity@brampton.ca. The winning submission will be featured on the cover of the UFMP and the City’s website. For more information visit www.brampton.ca/trees.
Brampton’s urban forest includes all trees and their growing environments on both public and private lands within the City’s boundaries. It is vital green infrastructure with environmental, economic, and societal benefits for our community. However, the urban forest also faces many pressures and challenges including development and intensification, climate change, diseases and invasive pests. In recent years, Emerald Ash Borer and the 2013 ice storm have damaged many trees in Brampton and required investment in various renewal efforts.
Brampton’s UFMP will provide strategic guidance for the management of all aspects of Brampton’s urban forests, including a comprehensive approach to the assessment, maintenance, growth and protection of our urban forest, and engaging residents and partners in its stewardship.
The UFMP is part of Brampton’s Grow Green Environmental Master Plan and one of the key initiatives to addressing Brampton’s 2040 Vision and Community Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan and the (CEERP) target to plant one million trees in Brampton by 2040. For more information, visit www.brampton.ca/trees.
Quotes
“Brampton is a Green City and we are committed to protecting our trees, plants and green spaces. Our urban forest is an integral part of our community, and I encourage all residents to have their say in the future of our trees, as we draft Brampton’s first Urban Forest Management Plan.”- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“We’re proud to be developing our first Urban Forest Management Plan under the Grow Green Environmental Master Plan. This new strategy will provide an informed framework for how we manage Brampton’s urban forest, with input from key stakeholders from Brampton and beyond, to best serve our residents and set an example for other cities.”– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
“The Urban Forest Management Plan is an important step in protecting our trees and enhancing our urban forest. Hearing from residents is a priority as we bring this plan to life, developing best practices to maintain, grow and protect trees in our environment-friendly city.”- Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Wards 7 & 8; Vice-Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Wards 7 & 8; Vice-Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
“City staff are dedicated to providing engagement opportunities and involving our stakeholders as we move forward on Brampton’s Urban Forest Management Plan. The upcoming stakeholder engagements and community survey are a great way for residents to get involved in this green initiative as we work to complete the plan in 2021.”- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
“As a citizen-led committee, with a vested interest in the health and sustainability of our natural environment, I’m excited that we’re involved in the engagement process. Community voices are critical in environmental decision-making, so I look forward to seeing what priorities the Urban Forest Management Plan will set and accomplish in the short and long term.”– Preethi Anbalagan, Co-Chair, Environment Advisory Committee, City of Brampton
