Title
Tree Inventory and Mapping
Recommended Action
Whereas urban forests provide a number of benefits including mitigating the effects of global climate change, providing air purification, shade, enhancing water retention and reducing runoff, and other tangible and intangible economic and aesthetic benefits;
Whereas human activity and greenfield development are eroding our urban forest resources along with mature treed ecosystems from both private and public lands; and
Whereas our common future relies on comprehensive and effective forest management based on empirical information with respect to the volume of our urban forest resources, their location, interconnectedness to other forested areas and over-all condition of the canopy;
Therefore be it resolved that Council direct staff to bring back a report regarding the implementation of a comprehensive GIS mapping and inventory scheme to assist with the management and planning of our urban forest resources to be utilized along with current information from our Parks, Planning, and Engineering Departments as a best management practice to protect and enhance our urban tree canopy; and further
That staff bring forward information for Council's consideration with respect to the development of an Urban Forest Management Plan to include both public and private lands which plan would be integrated into our current management of greenways, natural areas, and parks in the Township.