It's time for tree-lovers and community members to tell the city what the future of Burnaby forests should look like.
The city is preparing a city-wide strategy to provide "clear direction for the future management of the city's trees."
The new urban forest management strategy will deal with all trees throughout the city, including in parks and natural areas, city streets and privately-owned lands.
"Burnaby's trees are under stress from a growing population and warming climate," says the city's website.
"Extreme heat and heavy rain events threaten our ecosystems, and rising temperatures also increase the risk of new invasive pests and diseases spreading to Burnaby. The demand for new housing and community amenities and facilities in our growing city also adds pressure on undeveloped areas currently covered by trees."
The Urban Forest Management Strategy is intended to ensure Burnaby's urban forest is "more healthy, resilient and beautiful than it is today" and will outline a plan to achieve Metro Vancouver's goal of 40 per cent canopy cover (the portion of the city covered by trees when viewed from the air).
Burnaby's canopy cover as of 2022 is 32 per cent.
The public can share their thoughts in an online survey, which closes Sunday, April 7, or by attending an open house. (Guests are asked to RSVP to [email protected] with the open house date for planning purposes.)
For more information, see the city's urban forest webpage.
Open houses on Burnaby's urban forest
- Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Christine Sinclair Community Centre
- Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bonsor Recreation Complex (Active Studio)
- Thursday, March 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. online via Zoom
55+ information sessions (drop-ins welcome)
- Wednesday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cameron Seniors Centre (Maple Room)
- Monday, March 25, 2 to 4 p.m. at Edmonds Seniors Centre (Arts Room)
- Tuesday, March 26, noon to 2 p.m. at Bonsor Recreation Complex (Seniors Lounge)
- Wednesday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon at Confederation Seniors Centre (Program Room 3)
Free urban forest-themed nature walks (some require reservation)
- Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. to noon – Central Park
- Sunday, March 17, 10 a.m. to noon – Byrne Creek Ravine Park
- Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. to noon – Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
