Urban Forest Strategy

We Want to Hear From You!

The first round of engagement for the Urban Forest Strategy is now open! Through a community-wide survey we want to better understand your values, perspectives, and interests in the management of our urban forest. The survey is estimated to take 15-20 minutes to complete and will be available online until October 30, 2024. 

If you leave your contact information at the end of the survey, you will be entered to WIN one of three $10 gift cards to the NEST Cafe! All information collected will be kept confidential and used only in a summary of feedback received. 

Project Overview

The Town of View Royal is home to a vibrant urban forest that spans our parks, streets, private yards, and natural areas. The urban forest is a valued community asset, and provides numerous benefits to residents and visitors, such as improving air quality, managing rainwater run-off, offering recreational opportunities, and supporting biodiversity.

Examples of Key Features of View Royal’s Urban Forest 
 
(Click the image to enlarge)

Pressures of urban growth, climate change, and various other forest health concerns (e.g. drought, extreme weather, pests, and disease) now test the resilience of our trees and forests in new and unprecedented ways. To respond to these challenges, the Town of View Royal is creating a Town-wide approach for the long-term protection, management and growth of the urban forest, through the development of an Urban Forest Strategy.

The Urban Forest Strategy (UFS) will:

  • Provide insight into the current condition of View Royal’s urban forest
  • Establish a community-supported vision and goals
  • Provide guidance and strategic actions to grow, manage, and protect the Town’s urban forest

Project Process and Opportunities to Have Your Say

The UFS will be developed over the next several months and include two phases of public engagement where community members will have opportunities to learn about and contribute to the development of the Strategy.

A graphic showing the different phases that will be undertaken to develop the Urban Forest Strategy

The first phase of community engagement, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2024, will be focused on creating a community-supported vision for urban forest management. During the second phase of engagement, the project team will seek public input on a draft Strategy and implementation priorities before finalizing the Urban Forest Strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is an UFS important to the Town? 

A: The Town of View Royal completed a Community Climate Action Strategy recognizing the need to protect View Royal’s urban forest. The creation of an UFS is also identified as a priority in the Town’s Strategic Plan (2023-2026). 

 

Q: How will the UFS improve the preservation and enhancement of our urban forests? 

A: The UFS will aim to provide a modern and practical long-term plan, supported through a series of programs and strategies to achieve and maintain a sustainable and resilient urban forest in View Royal. 

The goal of the Town’s first UFS is to:

  • Understand the history of the urban forest in View Royal
  • Monitor and inventory the tree canopy
  • Understand how climate change, development, and other factors contribute to tree loss in View Royal
  • Develop urban forest guidelines to mitigate tree loss that are specific, measurable, and time-bound
  • Integrate the strategy with other town initiatives
  • Propose changes to related to tree protection bylaws and policies, and develop methods for calculating tree value and carbon sequestration

 

Q: How will the community be engaged? 

A: Public input is an important component of the overall process and will help the project team better understand community values related to the urban forest. Public engagement will begin in the Fall of 2024 and include an online survey and an in-person event. Stay tuned for updates on when and how you can get involved. 

Related Documents