Tuesday November 14, 2023 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The City of Langford has launched its public engagement initiatives related to the creation of its first Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP).
“The UFMP will identify the community’s 25-year vision and values in managing its urban forest,” said the city in a news release on November 1.
Open house & survey:
Langford residents are invited to attend an Open House on November 15, 5-8 pm, at City Hall, 877 Goldstream Avenue, 3rd Floor.
Until November 27, 2023, residents are also encouraged to visit LetsChatLangford.ca to complete the Urban Forest Management Plan survey and provide input on the creation of the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan.
Urban trees & their maintenance:
The plan is a way to set out the objectives by which to guide the City in addressing the range of challenges now facing urban trees and their maintenance.
Like many communities on Vancouver Island, Langford interfaces with natural tree lines. Within the city some old trees stand tall while in other areas new landscaping plans have been rolled out as housing development marches forward.
Langford’s urban forest consists of all trees, forested areas, plants, soils, and ecosystem components located within the city boundary.
Many types of trees make up the urban forest, including public street trees, park (i.e. ornamental) and woodland trees, as well as the trees on private land in both urban and rural landscapes.
Importance of trees:
Langford’s trees are an important community asset, and the City is developing its first UFMP in recognition of this value.
The presence of trees in human communities contributes to emotional and mental well-being in addition to the important impacts of urban landscape (visual, canopy in sun, cooling during heat) and the contribution of trees to collecting carbon from the atmosphere.
On the west coast in particular we hope to enjoy continued availability of natural landscapes, fresh air, and the many cultural and community benefits of trees.
The urban forest is essential to Langford’s character, biodiversity, climate resilience, health and well-being. The UFMP will help ensure the community maximizes the benefits supported by the urban forest, providing a framework and specific recommendations designed to achieve fair balance between the diversity of interests held in urban forest management.
Today the federal government also put out a statement about protection of the natural environment in BC, including: “Ensure our cities and towns help nature, through pilot projects in support of the National Program for Ecological Corridors.”
Community-led vision:
The UFMP will contain tailored actions the City will seek to implement in achieving the community-led vision for its urban forest.
That will include baseline information on the current state of Langford’s urban forest, a long-term vision for the City’s urban forest, program goals, recommendations, targets, operational plans, policies and specifications to support the Plan’s implementation.
Protection and management:
“Langford Council recognizes the significance of Langford’s urban forest and wishes to formalize its protection and management through the creation of the City’s first Urban Forest Management Plan,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson.
“This Plan will provide guidance to City staff and Council during future decision-making related to development, infrastructure improvements, and parks planning. I encourage all Langford residents to participate in the public engagement initiatives taking place over the coming months as the UFMP is developed to ensure the Plan truly reflects the needs of the greater community,” said Goodmanson this week.
Public input:
Langford residents are invited to attend an Open House on November 15, 5-8 pm, at City Hall, 877 Goldstream Avenue, 3rd Floor.
Until November 27, 2023, residents are also encouraged to visit LetsChatLangford.ca to complete the Urban Forest Management Plan survey and provide input on the creation of the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan.
- The online survey takes about 20 to 25 minutes to complete.
- The survey will aim to a broad profile of demographics and approximate place of residence, without revealing personal identity.
- The public can makes submissions through an online mapping tool. Using digital pins, participants can indicate places in Langford where they value the urban forest or places where improvement could be made.
Public engagement objectives for this project are to:
- Inform the public about the status of the urban forest, the many benefits the urban forest gives to the community, and the current challenges and opportunities for urban forest management.
- Involve the community in developing a long-term vision for the urban forest and goals for its management.
- Consult the community to find opportunities to preserve and protect, grow, and improve the health of the urban forest.
Phases:
The development of the UFMP is occurring over several phases, including two phases of public engagement.
- The first phase will seek community input and insights to inform the vision and strategic directions for the draft Plan.
- The second phase, targeted for spring 2024, will collect feedback on the drafted Plan.
Inclusive approach:
Overall, the 2022-2026 City of Langford council aims to “create a vibrant, thriving, inclusive and climate resilient community by making informed decisions for current and future generations including residents, businesses, and visitors”. Public input is part of that.
This fall there was input on the council’s draft strategic plan, which enjoyed vigorous input and debate including at the October 23, 2023 City of Langford council meeting.
The growing municipality is facing “a diverse and complex set of crises so immense that they require the entire community to define a shared set of goals and to continually come together to address these crises”.
Council is taking new directions on progressive issues and aiming to build upon legacy projects of the previous council.
The 2022-2026 council is headed by Mayor Scott Goodmanson, with Councillors Kimberley Guiry, Colby Harder, Mark Morley, Lillian Szpak, Mary Wagner, and Keith Yacucha.
===== RELATED:
Federal $500 million for protection & conservation of BC biodiversity, habitats & species at risk (November 3, 2023)
Langford council gets blast about strategic plan public input (October 23, 2023)
Langford strategic plan open house draws steady crowd (October 5, 2023)
Langford accepting public input on the city’s first strategic plan (October 2, 2023)