Update: November 5, 2015
City of Toronto working on a Tree Planting Strategy
The City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division, in consultation with Toronto Water, Transportation Services, City Planning and Economic Development and Culture, will develop a Tree Planting Strategy to inspire action to reach the City’s target of 40 per cent tree canopy cover over the next 30 to 40 years. The development of the strategy will also involve consultation with residents, the public, internal and external stakeholders and community partners.
Toronto currently has 26.6 per to 28 per cent tree canopy cover, representing 10.2 million trees. About 40 per cent of these trees are on City lands, with the remaining 60 per cent on private lands. The City will work with community stakeholders to develop a planting strategy that focuses on increasing tree planting and stewardship on private lands.
“I am committed to strengthening our tree canopy. Toronto’s urban forest enhances the quality of life for all of us,” said Mayor John Tory. “These consultations and strategy will give us a long-term plan to expand our tree canopy throughout the city.”
“The City is committed to stewardship of our urban forest on both public and private lands,” said Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Ward 38 Scarborough Centre), Toronto’s Tree Advocate. “A Tree Planting Strategy will help to protect, maintain and expand this vital green infrastructure.”
“Trees provide important environmental, social, and economic benefits to our city,” said Councillor Michelle Berardinetti (Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee. “I encourage everyone to provide input into the development of this strategy and help us meet our tree canopy goals.”
The public is invited to provide input through an online survey at http://bit.ly/1GIWkLr or by attending one of the upcoming public meetings:
- Monday, November 16, Scarborough Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 150 Borough Dr., 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 17, Etobicoke Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 399 The West Mall, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Monday, November 30, Toronto City Hall, Committee Room 2, 100 Queen St. W., 6:30 to 9 p.m.
More information about the Tree Planting Strategy is available at http://ow.ly/UibNp.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms
Media contact: Ray Vendrig, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, 416-392-5378, rvendri@toronto.ca
A Tree Planting Strategy web page and on-line survey will be posted in advance of the public meetings. For more information, please contact the undersigned.
Connie Pinto
Parks Planner, PFR
416-392-2054
cpinto@toronto.ca