Urban Forests

Urban forests are increasingly under threat in British Columbia and around the world

Urban forests are coming down in spite of concerns about hot and dry weather and the urban heat island effect. We need forests to create rain, clean the air and absorb pollution and yet urban forests are coming down anyway.

City councils don’t understand the importance of trees

City councils are often beholden to developers and are not held responsible for their decisions negatively impacting trees, forests and wildlife.

Photo: Adrien Olichon/Pexels

Tree Protection Bylaws and Urban Forest Strategies

Metro Vancouver has a tool kit that municipalities are supposed to follow about increasing tree canopy. Despite this many Lower Mainland councils seem to do what they please. One dramatic example is the lengths that the Vancouver Park Board has gone to deforest Stanley Park, cutting the larger living trees while leaving the thinner less marketable ones. They maintain that it’s to combat the hemlock looper moth but that doesn’t explain why they are cutting down healthy, living trees.

Unfortunately Bill 44, the BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 will likely negatively impact tree protections and significantly reduce urban forests throughout British Columbia. The Narwhal article, New Housing Rules in B.C. trigger fears of ‘catastrophic’ loss of urban trees addresses the harms of Bill 44 relating to the ability to protect trees and to protect local autonomy. “Critics say the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach removes local autonomy and threatens urban forests, including Greater Victoria’s endangered Garry oak ecosystem.” Adam Olsen, a BC Green Party MLA, says that the BC NDP government failed to consult the public about Bill 44 ‘in any way.’

How do we protect urban forests in the face of development pressures and now Bill 44? Below are links to municipal tree bylaws and local efforts to protect trees. One hopes that Bill 44 can be challenged on the basis that it removes municipal autonomy.

Municipalities in BC

Aldergrove

Please see Langley

District of North Vancouver

District of North Vancouver Tree Protection Bylaw

Langley

Langley Township Tree Protection Bylaw

Langley Township Community Forest Management Strategy

Lantzville

Lantzville finally adopted a tree protection by-law in 2022 – the Lantzville Tree Protection Bylaw but still allowed a developer to clear a massive chunk of land off the main Lantzville Road.

Metro Vancouver

CBC News Metro Vancouver tree canopy in decline amid push for new housing | April 2024

2020 Regional Tree Canopy Cover and Impervious Surface in Metro Vancouver | March 2024

Nanaimo

“Urban forests are a valuable component to our environment and Nanaimo is fortunate to enjoy one that is rich in diversity. As this is a time of year for preparing our yards and gardens for the growing season ahead, residents should be aware of the Tree Bylaw and ensure they are complying with it.”. Patrick McIntosh, Urban Forestry Coordinator, City of Nanaimo

Nanaimo Tree Protection Bylaw

Nanaimo Urban Forestry