Maple Ridge, B.C., July 24, 2024 – Maple Ridge City Council has adopted the City’s first-ever Urban Forest Management Strategy, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to preserving and enhancing the city's diverse urban forest.
The Urban Forest Management Strategy (UFMS) outlines comprehensive measures to sustainably manage and expand Maple Ridge's vital green spaces and tree canopy in the context of urban development and climate challenges.
“Our urban forest is an important part of Maple Ridge's identity and vital to the well-being of our community, especially as our climate continues to change,” said Mayor Ruimy. “I am proud of the work that has gone into developing this strategy and thank everyone who took the time to provide their input. This strategy represents the City's commitment to protect and expand our urban tree canopy and includes tangible actions that will benefit current and future generations.”
Urban Forest Management Strategy Sets a 20-year Vision
The new strategy sets a 20-year vision with clear, actionable goals to manage and protect the urban forest. The vision is that Maple Ridge boasts a thriving, resilient, and climate-adapted urban forest that is essential to community health and well-being, provides high-value recreational opportunities, supports ecological health and biodiversity, offers cost-effective climate solutions, and improves livability for all residents.
Key components of the strategy include:
Strategic Goals: The UFMS commits to the following four goals that focus on protecting and expanding the urban forest; integrating and adapting the strategy; managing and sustaining the urban forest; and engaging and fostering collaborative partnerships with external groups.
Action Plan: Detailed in a 20-year action plan, the strategy includes 58 actionable items to achieve a target of 40% tree canopy coverage in urban areas by 2045.
Tree Canopy Target: Tree canopy is defined as the area occupied by a tree’s leaves and branches when viewed from above. The UFMS targets to protect and expand the city's urban green spaces by increasing the tree canopy in urban areas from 38% to 40% by 2045.
Strategic Alignment: Aligned with the Council Strategic Plan 2023-2026, the UFMS supports the City's commitment to mitigating climate impacts and enhancing the health of our natural environment.
Initiated in 2023 to deliver on the City’s strategic priority of Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship, the development of the Urban Forest Management Strategy (UFMS) included extensive research, two phases of community engagement, and collaboration with key interest holders. Input from residents, advisory committees, and City staff contributed to creating a strategy that reflects the community's values.
Maple Ridge’s Urban Forest
Maple Ridge’s urban forest is a network of natural and urban trees and landscapes that includes a wide variety of forests and ecosystems, including boulevards, parks, private properties, and natural woodlands. This natural heritage enhances the city’s appearance and plays a crucial role in mitigating climate impacts, supporting biodiversity, and promoting community well-being.
Maple Ridge’s urban forest faces increasing challenges, such as intensifying urban heat islands, prolonged droughts, emerging pests and invasive species, and growing space constraints due to urban densification.
Community Engagement
Over the past year, Maple Ridge engaged extensively with residents through two rounds of community engagement, gathering valuable feedback to shape the strategy. Nearly 1,000 participants contributed insights through surveys, open houses, and virtual forums, underscoring the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
For more information on the community engagement process and results that contributed to developing the Urban Forest Management Strategy, visit Engage.MapleRidge.ca/UFMS
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Media Contact:
Chad Neufeld
Manager of Parks Planning & Development
City of Maple Ridge
T 604 467 7338 E CNeufeld@MapleRidge.ca