The District of Sechelt has recently adopted an urban forest plan to guide forest policy and planning in Sechelt for the next 50 to 100 years.
The plan makes recommendations around managing invasive species in the urban forest, dealing with diseased trees and maintaining a healthy forest bio-diversity. There are also parts of the plan that make recommendations to address threats to the community infrastructure from forest fires to tree-related hazards.
According to the executive summary of the plan, Sechelt's urban forest is defined as the total collection of trees, soils and associated plants growing within district municipal boundaries, in parks and yards, along roadways and paths, including both public and private lands.
"Our vision is to retain and improve upon the vast, beautiful and diverse urban forest that Sechelt already has. In addition, this plan will help us promote retention and development of Sechelt's forest area ecosystem, through public education and environment conservation," said Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster in a press release.
The 56-page plan identifies the current state of Sechelt's urban forests and its tree canopy. The plan shows that 59 per cent of the total area of Sechelt has tree canopy and that canopy coverage in Sechelt ranges from a high of 72 per cent in the Sandy Hook and Tuwanek areas to a low of 34 per cent in the downtown village neighbourhood.
"Trees are integral to the health of our community, economy and ecosystem," Inkster wrote. "The majority of this plan focuses on planning for actions that the District can take to achieve our long-term goals of maintaining and enhancing Sechelt's treed areas and addressing challenges such as climate change and water shortages. Having our urban forest plan in place means that Sechelt has a resource to guide development in a way that ensures trees can continue to thrive in our community and benefit our residents."
A complete copy of the urban forest plan is available on-line at the District website at www.sechelt.ca.
