Posted on Friday, October 20, 2023
Richmond Hill continues to make significant progress in the implementation of our City’s first Urban Forest Management Plan. This strategic approach is aimed at protecting and expanding the urban forest within our community. In the initial two years of implementing the plan, we’ve achieved several important milestones, which I’m excited to share with you.
Achievements So Far:
- Woodlot Restoration Projects: We initiated woodlot restoration projects at various locations, including Beaver Woodland, Elgin Mills Greenway, Phyllis Rawlinson Park, Saigeon Trail, and David Dunlap Observatory Park.
- Invasive Species Response: We’ve established an interim Invasive Species Response Procedure to guide our efforts in addressing invasive species and pests, such as the spongy moth, on public property.
- Community Engagement: Our commitment to urban forest education and community involvement remains strong. We’ve been actively engaging with our residents on tree planting initiatives and encouraging naturalization on private property through programs like the Community Stewardship Program, which witnessed almost 28,000 trees being planted on public lands with the help of 2,000 volunteers. The Healthy Yards Program has also provided over 3,500 trees and shrubs, along with 9,000 wildflowers to residents at a subsidized cost. These programs wouldn’t be possible without the collaborative efforts of organizations such as York Region, Ontario Streams, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), local schools, residents, businesses, and community groups.
Our urban forest is a shared asset, and everyone plays a role in protecting and nurturing it. Richmond Hill will continue working closely with the community and key partners to safeguard the urban forest and promote its growth for generations to come.
Quick Facts:
- Richmond Hill’s urban forest comprises approximately 2.96 million trees, with 25 percent on public property and 75 percent on private property. These trees and woodlands are a critical component of our urban infrastructure, contributing to the health and resilience of our community in numerous ways, such as air and water purification, flood risk reduction, energy conservation, mitigating urban heat stress, and increasing property values.
- We recently completed an Urban Forest Study (UFS) in collaboration with York Region and TRCA. The UFS findings are encouraging, showing that canopy cover has increased from 25 to approximately 30 percent over the last decade, and the number of trees in excellent or good condition has risen from 64 to 75 percent.
- However, the UFS also highlighted areas where we need to continue our efforts, including diversifying tree species, protecting and enabling tree maturity, managing invasive species and pests, and conserving natural assets to address the impacts of climate change.
Your active participation and support are crucial in ensuring the success of these initiatives. For more information and access to Richmond Hill’s urban forest fact sheets, please visit the original article on Richmond Hill’s website. Together, we can protect and nurture our urban forest for a greener and healthier Richmond Hill.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the well-being of our community.
Joe DiPaola
Regional Councillor, Richmond Hill