Let's talk trees... again.
A year after its first public engagement survey, which garnered nearly 225 respondents, Port Moody is asking for the public's help once more in the latest phase of the city's 30-year urban forest management plan.
A second and third survey related to the strategy are now live via Engage Port Moody, asking local residents to provide thoughts and opinions on the draft to preserve trees in the community.
Port Moody city staff are also reviewing the tree protection bylaw for Phase 2 activities in looking for potential updates.
Amendments to the draft urban forest management plan following the results of the surveys is set to be presented to city council later this summer.
Currently, 58 per cent of Port Moody trees provide a city-wide canopy cover at 1,500 hectares, while 28 per cent support the urban canopy cover at 255 hectares — excluding parks and industrial lands.
By 2050, staff hope to maintain the city-wide cover while improving to 30 per cent on the urban side.
"Port Moody's trees are integral to the health and well-being of our people, plants and animals, and we're asking our residents to help us develop tools to manage and protect this vital community resource," a statement reads from the City of Port Moody about the surveys.
"Our Trees in Port Moody projects recognize the vital role of trees in our community, and were developed in response to council's declaration of a climate emergency and the city's goal of restoring and strengthening our urban forest."
The city will host an open house at the Civic Centre (100 Newport Dr.) in addition to the surveys.
There, residents can ask questions before filling out the surveys and view information boards with more details on the potential management plan.
The gathering is scheduled for June 1 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Port Moody's urban forest and tree protection surveys have an online deadline of June 25.
Paper copies are also available at city hall during regular business hours and must be returned by June 23.
For more information and to participate in the survey, you're encouraged to visit Engage Port Moody's website.
