The Editor,
With the flurry of housing and zoning announcements from B.C.’s provincial government this week, the second Tri-Cities Urban Forest Forum could not have come at a better time.
Concerned residents, civic representatives and municipal managers from forestry, parks and planning departments from the Tri-Cities, as well as Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, Burnaby and Surrey, filled the main lecture hall at Coquitlam’s Douglas College on Tuesday evening.
We were there to discuss the question: How do we meet the urgent need for affordable housing while retaining the healthy urban forest we need to manage the effects of climate change?
The question has gained urgency following the announcement of Bill 44 and the new uncertainties it creates for community control over tree retention, parks and natural areas, as well as our capacity to adapt to extreme heat, fires and flooding.
As Tri-City residents ourselves, the forum organizers wholeheartedly support affordable housing, but we also know it takes more than bricks and mortar to create resilient, desirable communities that support human well being.
That is why we invited several expert speakers to share their perspectives, advice and tools to help guide our communities through this transition and to ensure the natural features that make our communities vibrant don’t fall by the wayside in the current panic over housing.
Our first speakers were Erin Gorby and Karin Johnson from the City of Coquitlam who gave an update on the city’s Urban Forest Management Strategy, which is currently in development, and encouraged residents to respond to the City’s Climate Action Plan survey on the Let’s Talk Coquitlam website by Nov. 19: letstalkcoquitlam.ca.
Andréanne Doyon, Director of SFU’s Resource & Environmental Management Planning Program, shared frameworks for considering priorities, tradeoffs, equity and justice in urban planning and encouraged citizen involvement with a frank reminder that it is ultimately our responsibility to create the communities we want through consistent civic engagement.
Isabel Gordon, director of financial services for the District of West Vancouver, explained how accounting for the services provided by forests, parks and waterways — in the same way we account for roads, pipes and rec centers — can help communities hold on to their natural spaces while densifying.
Brian Minter, Order of Canada recipient and prolific source of gardening tips, said community-wide plant care is needed as droughts become more frequent and severe. He recommended a variety of climate-adapted tree species — but cautioned that low-seedling stock and short average lifespan of urban trees (only four to eight years) makes retaining and maintaining the health of existing mature trees more important than ever.
While our speakers shared a wealth of information and our gathering generated many meaningful conversations, the organizers wish we had more time together to discuss these important issues and we are already planning future events. Tuesday’s forum was recorded by Tri-Cities Community TV and will be shared as soon as possible.
The experts at our forum made clear there are no easy answers to how we manage unprecedented regional growth while retaining the trees, plants and natural services that make our communities beautiful and resilient.
They also agreed that informed and engaged citizens can ensure that nature receives due consideration as our community grows and changes.
If you would like to learn more about urban forests and ecosystem services, get in touch with forum sponsors, the Burke Mountain Naturalists ([email protected]), or contact the forum organizers at join our team ([email protected]).
Lori Austin, Burke Mountain Naturalists
Nancy Furness, Wonderous Tree Fellowship
Grayson Barke, Protect Coquitlam’s Urban Forest
Janet Krgovich, Protect Coquitlam’s Urban Forest
Kathleen Wallace-Deering, Protect Coquitlam’s Urban Forest
