Save Our Canopy
Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy
March 2024, City Council voted to fully fund the Urban Forestry Strategy in the 2024-2027 budget.
Winnipeg's first ever Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy approved by Council December 14, 2023
clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=24329&SectionId=&InitUrl=
Risks
March 2024, City Council voted to fully fund the Urban Forestry Strategy in the 2024-2027 budget.
Winnipeg's first ever Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy approved by Council December 14, 2023
clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=24329&SectionId=&InitUrl=
- 20 year plan, reviewed every four years
- Winnipeg's first Urban Forestry Strategy
- asset of over 3 million trees, worth $3 billion, 10 % on boulevards and parks, wild and river trees not inventoried
- Achieve a canopy cover of 24% by 2065, an increase of 7% from current 17%, over 40+ years
- Replace 1 tree for every tree lost - Does not account for years of falling behind. Suggest 2:1 ratio
- Best case scenario - City funds planting of 17,000 trees per year to 2065 to achieve 24% canopy cover
Risks
- Maintaining current budget and management practices will result in reduction of tree canopy
- Winnipeg could lose approximately 25 % of its tree canopy by 2065
- The Urban Forest faces dire threats from disease, insects, development and climate change
- Cost of inaction will lead to higher expenditures and less canopy - more expensive risk mitigation, higher risks to public safety and liability to the City, more frequent tree removals, higher service call rates, and the net loss of ecosystem services values, which have indirect costs for human and environmental health impacts
- If funding to the urban canopy remains status quo, the tree canopy cover will decline from the current 17% to between 9% and 13% by 2065
Personalizing this letter with your own words has the greatest impact. Even if you just have time to send this letter it is helpful with a comment at the top saying your support the requests of this letter.
March 2024 Urban Forestry Template Letter
Subject: Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy - Funding
Dear Mayor Gillingham and Councillor Members,
Thank you Mayor Gillingham and Councillors for committing to funding in full Winnipeg’s first ever Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy in the 2024-2027 Preliminary Budget. It is crucial to have a planning tool such as this to ensure a city wide plan with long term targets to protect, enhance and manage this irreplaceable asset made up of 3 million trees, valued at $3 billion.
A key goal of the Strategy is to increase Winnipeg’s current urban tree canopy from 17% to 24% in 2065 by planting 17,000 trees a year (over 40+ years). To achieve the Strategy goals, budget funding is needed for tree planting, DED programs, asset management, pruning and tree protection, along with accompanying staff to care for the urban forest over the long-term.
To achieve the 24% tree canopy cover goal, the work must begin now. 2024 to 2027 are the first four years of the long-term Strategy. Investment cannot be deferred for planting and maintenance as it takes time for trees to grow to their most effective size. They require regular pruning and maintenance to keep them productive and healthy.
Trees are city assets just like roads, sewers, bridges and buildings. Unlike hard assets, trees appreciate in value and deliver more benefits as they grow and age.
Trees provide cost effective, valued services, as identified in the 2021 State of the Urban Forestry report. They provide a host of benefits that range from:
$4 M - cleaning the air of greater than 274 tonnes of pollutants per year
$3 M - intercept one million m3 of stormwater from entering the sewer system per year
$40 M - current canopy estimated to store greater than 500,000 tonnes of carbon
Extreme climate events in the last number of years indicate that we cannot delay but must act now. Pressure from invasive species, drought years, and development are all challenges to the forest.
Trees are extremely important to us and are credited with providing some of the fundamental needs of society. Rather than just being nice to have, they are a necessity. Trees contribute to environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic prosperity.
Properly managed trees and greenspace yield a healthier, wealthier and more biodiverse community. They are an investment for today and for future generations. This important resource must be managed like any other infrastructure asset with proper planning, secure budgets, and accountability.
In closing, I thank you for your commitment to fund the Urban Forestry Strategy in 2024-2027 budget vote on March 20, 2024, the foundation years of a 44 year plan.
Your Name/Organization
January 2024 Letter
Subject: Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy - Funding
Dear Mayor Gillingham and Councillor Members,
Thank you Mayor Gillingham and Councillors for adopting Winnipeg’s first ever Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy, December 2023. It is crucial to have a planning tool such as this to ensure a city wide plan with long term targets to protect, enhance and manage this irreplaceable asset made up of 3 million trees, valued at $3 billion.
I am writing to ask you to approve in full, the budget needed to implement the Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy as requested by the Parks Department for the 2024-2027 multiyear budget. At present, Winnipeg’s urban forestry program is not adequately resourced to stabilize or increase the tree canopy cover.
A key goal of the Strategy is to increase Winnipeg’s current urban tree canopy from 17% to 24% in 2065 by planting 17,000 trees a year (over 40+ years). To achieve the Strategy goals, budget funding is needed for tree planting, DED programs, asset management, pruning and tree protection, along with accompanying staff to care for the urban forest over the long-term.
For the 24% tree canopy cover goal to be achieved, the work must begin now. 2024 to 2027 are the first four years of the long-term Strategy. Investment cannot be withheld or deferred for planting and maintenance as it takes time for trees to grow to their most effective size. They require regular pruning and maintenance to keep them productive and healthy.
Trees are city assets just like roads, sewers, bridges and buildings. Unlike hard assets, trees appreciate in value and deliver more benefits as they grow and age.
Trees provide cost effective, valued services, as identified in the 2021 State of the Urban Forestry report. They provide a host of benefits that range from:
Extreme climate events in the last number of years indicate that we cannot delay but must act now. Pressure from invasive species, drought years, and development are all challenges to the forest.
The Urban Forestry Strategy provides several outcomes.
Best case scenario:
Status quo scenario:
The Strategy cautions that the cost of inaction to effectively manage the urban forest will undoubtedly lead to more frequent tree removals and less canopy cover, more expensive risk mitigation with climate change impacts, and the net loss of ecosystem services values, which have indirect costs for human and environmental health impacts.
Trees are extremely important to us and are credited with providing some of the fundamental needs of society. Rather than just being nice to have, they are a necessity. Trees contribute to environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic prosperity.
Properly managed trees and greenspace yield a healthier, wealthier and more biodiverse community. They are an investment for today and for future generations. This important resource must be managed like any other infrastructure asset with proper planning, adequate budgets, and accountability.
In closing, I am writing to support the implementation of the Urban Forestry Strategy by asking for it to be fully funded in the 2024 – 2027 multiyear budget that you will vote on this March 2024.
Your Name/Organization
March 2024 Urban Forestry Template Letter
Subject: Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy - Funding
Dear Mayor Gillingham and Councillor Members,
Thank you Mayor Gillingham and Councillors for committing to funding in full Winnipeg’s first ever Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy in the 2024-2027 Preliminary Budget. It is crucial to have a planning tool such as this to ensure a city wide plan with long term targets to protect, enhance and manage this irreplaceable asset made up of 3 million trees, valued at $3 billion.
A key goal of the Strategy is to increase Winnipeg’s current urban tree canopy from 17% to 24% in 2065 by planting 17,000 trees a year (over 40+ years). To achieve the Strategy goals, budget funding is needed for tree planting, DED programs, asset management, pruning and tree protection, along with accompanying staff to care for the urban forest over the long-term.
To achieve the 24% tree canopy cover goal, the work must begin now. 2024 to 2027 are the first four years of the long-term Strategy. Investment cannot be deferred for planting and maintenance as it takes time for trees to grow to their most effective size. They require regular pruning and maintenance to keep them productive and healthy.
Trees are city assets just like roads, sewers, bridges and buildings. Unlike hard assets, trees appreciate in value and deliver more benefits as they grow and age.
Trees provide cost effective, valued services, as identified in the 2021 State of the Urban Forestry report. They provide a host of benefits that range from:
$4 M - cleaning the air of greater than 274 tonnes of pollutants per year
$3 M - intercept one million m3 of stormwater from entering the sewer system per year
$40 M - current canopy estimated to store greater than 500,000 tonnes of carbon
Extreme climate events in the last number of years indicate that we cannot delay but must act now. Pressure from invasive species, drought years, and development are all challenges to the forest.
Trees are extremely important to us and are credited with providing some of the fundamental needs of society. Rather than just being nice to have, they are a necessity. Trees contribute to environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic prosperity.
Properly managed trees and greenspace yield a healthier, wealthier and more biodiverse community. They are an investment for today and for future generations. This important resource must be managed like any other infrastructure asset with proper planning, secure budgets, and accountability.
In closing, I thank you for your commitment to fund the Urban Forestry Strategy in 2024-2027 budget vote on March 20, 2024, the foundation years of a 44 year plan.
Your Name/Organization
January 2024 Letter
Subject: Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy - Funding
Dear Mayor Gillingham and Councillor Members,
Thank you Mayor Gillingham and Councillors for adopting Winnipeg’s first ever Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy, December 2023. It is crucial to have a planning tool such as this to ensure a city wide plan with long term targets to protect, enhance and manage this irreplaceable asset made up of 3 million trees, valued at $3 billion.
I am writing to ask you to approve in full, the budget needed to implement the Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy as requested by the Parks Department for the 2024-2027 multiyear budget. At present, Winnipeg’s urban forestry program is not adequately resourced to stabilize or increase the tree canopy cover.
A key goal of the Strategy is to increase Winnipeg’s current urban tree canopy from 17% to 24% in 2065 by planting 17,000 trees a year (over 40+ years). To achieve the Strategy goals, budget funding is needed for tree planting, DED programs, asset management, pruning and tree protection, along with accompanying staff to care for the urban forest over the long-term.
For the 24% tree canopy cover goal to be achieved, the work must begin now. 2024 to 2027 are the first four years of the long-term Strategy. Investment cannot be withheld or deferred for planting and maintenance as it takes time for trees to grow to their most effective size. They require regular pruning and maintenance to keep them productive and healthy.
Trees are city assets just like roads, sewers, bridges and buildings. Unlike hard assets, trees appreciate in value and deliver more benefits as they grow and age.
Trees provide cost effective, valued services, as identified in the 2021 State of the Urban Forestry report. They provide a host of benefits that range from:
- $4 M - cleaning the air of greater than 274 tonnes of pollutants per year
- $3 M - intercept one million m3 of stormwater from entering the sewer system per year
- $40 M - current canopy estimated to store greater than 500,000 tonnes of carbon
Extreme climate events in the last number of years indicate that we cannot delay but must act now. Pressure from invasive species, drought years, and development are all challenges to the forest.
The Urban Forestry Strategy provides several outcomes.
Best case scenario:
- Increase the urban canopy cover from 17% to 24% by 2065. Will require planting 1,700 trees per year to increase the canopy by 7%.
Status quo scenario:
- If the funding for the urban forest remains status quo the target for 2065 will decline to 13%.
- If today’s planting rates are maintained and there is high elm mortality the canopy cover could drop to 9% by 2065
The Strategy cautions that the cost of inaction to effectively manage the urban forest will undoubtedly lead to more frequent tree removals and less canopy cover, more expensive risk mitigation with climate change impacts, and the net loss of ecosystem services values, which have indirect costs for human and environmental health impacts.
Trees are extremely important to us and are credited with providing some of the fundamental needs of society. Rather than just being nice to have, they are a necessity. Trees contribute to environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic prosperity.
Properly managed trees and greenspace yield a healthier, wealthier and more biodiverse community. They are an investment for today and for future generations. This important resource must be managed like any other infrastructure asset with proper planning, adequate budgets, and accountability.
In closing, I am writing to support the implementation of the Urban Forestry Strategy by asking for it to be fully funded in the 2024 – 2027 multiyear budget that you will vote on this March 2024.
Your Name/Organization
All of City Council will be voting on the budget so you may send letters to the full list
OURS-Winnipeg would appreciate a copy as well.
Different Browsers have different ways of separating list.
List with addresses separated by a common
Mayor Scott Gillingham <[email protected]>, John Orlikow <[email protected]>,Cindy Gilroy <[email protected]>,Brian Mayes <[email protected]>,Markus Chambers <[email protected]>,Matt Allard <[email protected]>,Russ Wyatt <[email protected]>,Jeff Browaty <[email protected]>,Jason Schreyer <[email protected]>,Ross Eadie <[email protected]>,Vivian Santos <[email protected]>,Devi Sharma <[email protected]>,Janice Lukes <[email protected]>,Shawn Dobson <[email protected]>,Sherri Rollins <[email protected]>,Evan Duncan <[email protected]>, OURS-Winnipeg <[email protected]>
List with addresses separated by a semi colon
Mayor Scott Gillingham <[email protected]>; John Orlikow <[email protected]>;Cindy Gilroy <[email protected]>;Brian Mayes <[email protected]>;Markus Chambers <[email protected]>;Matt Allard <[email protected]>;Russ Wyatt <[email protected]>;Jeff Browaty <[email protected]>;Jason Schreyer <[email protected]>;Ross Eadie <[email protected]>;Vivian Santos <[email protected]>;Devi Sharma <[email protected]>;Janice Lukes <[email protected]>;Shawn Dobson <[email protected]>;Sherri Rollins <[email protected]>;Evan Duncan <[email protected]>; OURS-Winnipeg <[email protected]>
Mayor Scott Gillingham [email protected]
Brian Mayes [email protected]
Markus Chambers [email protected]
Matt Allard [email protected]
Russ Wyatt [email protected]
Jeff Browaty [email protected]
Jason Schreyer [email protected]
Ross Eadie [email protected]
Vivian Santos [email protected]
Devi Sharma [email protected]
Janice Lukes [email protected]
Shawn Dobson [email protected]
Sherri Rollins [email protected]
Cindy Gilroy [email protected]
Evan Duncan [email protected]
John Orlikow [email protected]
OURS-Winnipeg [email protected]
Who’s my city councillor? lookup
List of 2022 - 2026 Winnipeg City Council
OURS-Winnipeg would appreciate a copy as well.
Different Browsers have different ways of separating list.
List with addresses separated by a common
Mayor Scott Gillingham <[email protected]>, John Orlikow <[email protected]>,Cindy Gilroy <[email protected]>,Brian Mayes <[email protected]>,Markus Chambers <[email protected]>,Matt Allard <[email protected]>,Russ Wyatt <[email protected]>,Jeff Browaty <[email protected]>,Jason Schreyer <[email protected]>,Ross Eadie <[email protected]>,Vivian Santos <[email protected]>,Devi Sharma <[email protected]>,Janice Lukes <[email protected]>,Shawn Dobson <[email protected]>,Sherri Rollins <[email protected]>,Evan Duncan <[email protected]>, OURS-Winnipeg <[email protected]>
List with addresses separated by a semi colon
Mayor Scott Gillingham <[email protected]>; John Orlikow <[email protected]>;Cindy Gilroy <[email protected]>;Brian Mayes <[email protected]>;Markus Chambers <[email protected]>;Matt Allard <[email protected]>;Russ Wyatt <[email protected]>;Jeff Browaty <[email protected]>;Jason Schreyer <[email protected]>;Ross Eadie <[email protected]>;Vivian Santos <[email protected]>;Devi Sharma <[email protected]>;Janice Lukes <[email protected]>;Shawn Dobson <[email protected]>;Sherri Rollins <[email protected]>;Evan Duncan <[email protected]>; OURS-Winnipeg <[email protected]>
Mayor Scott Gillingham [email protected]
Brian Mayes [email protected]
Markus Chambers [email protected]
Matt Allard [email protected]
Russ Wyatt [email protected]
Jeff Browaty [email protected]
Jason Schreyer [email protected]
Ross Eadie [email protected]
Vivian Santos [email protected]
Devi Sharma [email protected]
Janice Lukes [email protected]
Shawn Dobson [email protected]
Sherri Rollins [email protected]
Cindy Gilroy [email protected]
Evan Duncan [email protected]
John Orlikow [email protected]
OURS-Winnipeg [email protected]
Who’s my city councillor? lookup
List of 2022 - 2026 Winnipeg City Council
The sum total of all trees and associated vegetation, soil, natural processes and cultural elements on public and private land in and around towns, cities and other communities. Source : Glossary, City of Winnipeg Complete Communities 2.0
Save Our Canopy Letter Writing Campaign - Budget 2024
The Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy was approved by City Council on December 14, 2023
The Parks Strategy and associated documents are attached to the City Council Meeting Agenda under the Report of the Community Services Committee, Item 5.
Use this City of Winnipeg to link to access the reports.
clkapps.winnipeg.ca/DMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=24329&SectionId=&InitUrl=
Item 5. Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy
Appendix A - Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy - Public Engagement
Appendix B - Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy
Appendix C - Urban Forest Policy Recommendations Matrix
Appendix D - Accompanying Capital Project Detail Sheets
Appendix E - State of the Urban Forest Report
Appendix F - FTE and Salaries and Benefits Summary
Appendix G - Summary of Incremental Operating and Capital Expenditures.
State of the Urban Forest Report 2021, 43 pages
The Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy was approved by City Council on December 14, 2023
The Parks Strategy and associated documents are attached to the City Council Meeting Agenda under the Report of the Community Services Committee, Item 5.
Use this City of Winnipeg to link to access the reports.
clkapps.winnipeg.ca/DMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=24329&SectionId=&InitUrl=
Item 5. Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy
Appendix A - Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy - Public Engagement
Appendix B - Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy
Appendix C - Urban Forest Policy Recommendations Matrix
Appendix D - Accompanying Capital Project Detail Sheets
Appendix E - State of the Urban Forest Report
Appendix F - FTE and Salaries and Benefits Summary
Appendix G - Summary of Incremental Operating and Capital Expenditures.
- OURS-Winnipeg submission to EPC Dec 5 2023
- OURS-Winnipeg Submission to Council, Dec 14 2023
- WRHA Submission to Council, Dec 14 2023
State of the Urban Forest Report 2021, 43 pages
Join OURS-Winnipeg to ensure Winnipeg City Council places a budget priority on the Urban Forest Strategy for 2024 -2027 multi year
Save Lemay Forest - developer owned 22 acres of high quality forest in St. Norbert savelemayforest.ca/
We support a tree protection by-law for both public and private trees
Housing Accelerator Fund
City Council Meeting December 14, 2023 - Approved Housing Accelerator Fund concessions that will increase density without consideration for protection and increase of trees and greenspace.
We need smart density that does not sacrifice green space and reduce the urban forest. Infill density must be well designed to complement existing neighborhoods.
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAL) - City Council Agenda December 14 2023
- OURS-Winnipeg Presentation to City Council December 14 2023 Agenda Item 2
- OURS-Winnipeg Presentation to Executive Policy Committee November 14 2023 Agenda Item 16
Trees Please response to draft Urban Forestry Strategy June 2022
City of Winnipeg Urban Forest Document Library
Multi-year Budget 2021 Update
2021 City of Winnipeg Urban Forest Enhancement Budget remains flat from previous year and is not forecast to increase.
Service gaps remain
- For every three trees removed only one is replaced
- Tree pruning cycle is one in every 30 years. Industry standard is 1 in 7 years
- Still no funding for EAB (emerald ash borer) program.
- $11.7 M was identified in 2018 report (p.17) for urban forest enhancement project and need has grown since then.
- $3 M was received from Federal Disaster Relief providing $1 M / year for each of three years for the urban forest
In 2020, only 19% of public trees cut down were re-planted. 14,500 public trees remain un-replaced and the backlog is growing at a rate of about 2000 per year”. (State of the Urban Forest Report, 2021, City of Winnipeg).
Service gaps remain
- For every three trees removed only one is replaced
- Tree pruning cycle is one in every 30 years. Industry standard is 1 in 7 years
- Still no funding for EAB (emerald ash borer) program.
- $11.7 M was identified in 2018 report (p.17) for urban forest enhancement project and need has grown since then.
- $3 M was received from Federal Disaster Relief providing $1 M / year for each of three years for the urban forest
In 2020, only 19% of public trees cut down were re-planted. 14,500 public trees remain un-replaced and the backlog is growing at a rate of about 2000 per year”. (State of the Urban Forest Report, 2021, City of Winnipeg).
It is concerning that more trees are being lost than replaced
The City of Winnipeg’s iconic tree canopy is in crisis due to disease, climate change, development and chronic under-funding. October 2019’s unprecedented storm displayed the challenges extreme weather can place on the urban forest and the need for its stable funding and care. The city’s forestry budget has not allowed for adequate disease management(p. 17 ), planting (p. 148), or pruning, ( well below industry best practices, p. 149). As a result, we are losing our canopy.
- 2019 had highest number of trees infected with Dutch elm disease since the City began tracking
- 9,500 American elm trees marked for removal in 2019 and 1,500 ash trees
- by July 2020 about 5,300 of Winnipeg's 225,000 American elms were marked for removal
- 1,400 replacement trees planted 2019
- a one-for-one replacement would be ideal
Park planning, tree planting and tree pruning and removal (except DED) are "NOT REQUIRED" services - City of Winnipeg
The designation of "NOT REQUIRED" puts the urban canopy at a disadvantage in City budgeting and planning.
The urban tree canopy is an essential and valuable part of urban life
Protecting the health of urban forest requires long-term planning for resilience as well as short-term crisis management.
Our cities are much better off when they have healthy, thriving forest canopies.
Our cities are much better off when they have healthy, thriving forest canopies.
2020 Budget presentations - $7.6M shortfall for urban forest
View 2020 Budget presentations and Parks and Open Space Capitol Budget This forestry budget did not allow for adequate disease management(p. 17), planting (p. 148), or pruning, (we fall well below industry best practices, p. 149). As a result, we are losing our canopy.
The Budget Presentation (Nov 16/19) for Public Works Department (Parks & Open Spaces Division) did not address the $7.61 million shortfall of the 2019 Urban Forest Enhancement Program for tree pruning and maintenance .
