Our Urban Forest Strategy [PDF - 1.2 MB] offers a long-term plan to achieve a sustainable urban forest.
Our urban forest includes all trees and their ecosystems within Saanich.
- In parks and private lands.
- On commercial and institutional lands.
- Along highways, roads and trails.
- Throughout open spaces in the community.
The Vision
“The urban forest in Saanich is a highly valued asset comprised of a rich and diverse forest that is widely recognized and appreciated for the contribution that it makes to our community and to our sustainable environment.”
Our Strategies
- Grow the urban forest canopy.
- Amend the Tree Preservation Bylaw [PDF - 116 KB [PDF - 214 KB] – Completed in 2014.
- Develop urban forest guidelines.
- Integrate the strategy with other Saanich and regional initiatives.
- Inventory the urban forest – land cover mapping completed in 2012.
- Develop an urban forest operations program
- Engage the community.
We will implement the Urban Forest Strategy over time through Strategic and Departmental Plans and through the budget review process.