Gibsons Takes a Green Step Forward with First-Ever Urban Forest Plan
January 9, 2024: The Town of Gibsons is pleased to announce the launch of its first-ever Urban Forest Plan (UFP), which will assess the current condition of Gibsons’ tree canopy and provide a strategic roadmap to help inform urban forest management for years to come.
The UFP will guide the Town in responding to a wide range of challenges facing the urban forest, such as development, climate change, invasive species, and more. Implementation of the plan will help to grow the Town’s tree canopy and ensure that the environmental, economic, and social benefits that trees provide are protected for future generations.
“As part of our strategic plan, this Council wants to ensure that we balance growth with our need to protect trees and green space,” says Mayor Silas White. “Formalizing a plan that reflects our community’s values will help to ensure our long-term vision and provide guidance to staff and Council with decisions concerning development and planning.”
A healthy urban forest is part of the Town’s approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Trees and forest ecosystems regulate air temperature, sequester carbon, and return water to the soil, recharging the aquifer and buffering our community from impacts like high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Furthermore, trees provide direct benefits to human health and well-being and enhance the liveability of neighbourhoods.
The UFP will involve four main objectives:
- Gather baseline information on the current state of the Town’s urban forest.
- Develop a long-term vision informed by public engagement.
- Provide goals, recommendations, and targets for reforestation and conservation.
- Create an implementation plan based on the recommended actions.
Community and stakeholder input will play a crucial role in the development of the UFP. The public is invited to share their thoughts through an online survey that will be open for three weeks from January 26 to February 16. The survey results will be used to help review and develop future initiatives and strategic directions for the Urban Forest Plan. Additionally, an online open house is scheduled for January 30, where the project team will introduce the project and answer any questions people may have. During the second phase of public engagement in the spring, the project team will seek input on the draft UFP and priorities for implementation.
Completion of the UFP is targeted for June 2024.
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More information on the Urban Forest Plan and engagement opportunities can be found at gibsons.ca/urban-forest-plan/
For more information or to share your thoughts on the development of the UFP, please contact:Michelle Lewis
Natural Asset Technician
mlewis@gibsons.ca
604-886-2274
