Whereas the United Nations has declared 2021-2030 the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration” to “Prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide” and calls on everyone; including local governments to act to find viable solutions to mitigate global challenges such as increasing climate change impacts and catastrophic biodiversity losses;
Whereas the UNECE identified urban trees and forests as providing a unique opportunity for policymakers at local levels of government to contribute meaningfully to the goals for the Decade; prompting over 50 mayors, at the inaugural Forum of Mayors in October 2020 to endorse a Declaration which places trees and forests at the heart of the urban agenda for next decade by pledging to adopt policy and take action through the “Trees in Cities Challenge”;
Whereas the City of Brampton 2040 Vision calls for the planting of one million trees by 2040 to grow the urban forest, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and foster the delivery of ecosystem services;
Whereas in February 2020, the City of Brampton Council approved the Brampton One Million Trees Program as a framework for the City and its partners to increase tree planting initiatives and realize the target of one million trees by 2040;
Whereas the Report to Committee of Council, dated November 20, 2019 stipulates that the One Million Trees Program is focused on getting new trees in the ground, and does not look at tree preservation and upkeep; and further that, directions pertaining to the inventorying, operations, maintenance, and monitoring of the urban forest will be addressed in the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan;
Whereas it is acknowledged in the Report to Committee of Council dated November 20, 2019 that the City’s current canopy is just 18% of total land cover and that the existing canopy is under further threat due to invasive species, extreme weather events and drought;
Whereas it is widely acknowledged that in order to benefit from the ecosystems service a healthy urban forest can provide, trees must live to their potential. Further that in order for trees to survive and thrive, thus contributing to a healthy urban forest, cities must invest resources in planning, monitoring and maintenance;
Therefore Be It Resolved that, it is the position of the Environment Advisory Committee that Brampton City Council adopt and support the Urban Forest Management Plan in principle and practice, including the resources to adequately operationalize the plan.