Urban Forest Management Plan

The Town of Collingwood’s Urban Forest Management Plan aims to reduce the impact of stormwater on drainage infrastructure caused by excessive water runoff, flooding and erosion due to climate change. The Urban Forest Management Plan will review the current urban forest and determine how to increase green infrastructure to reduce the amount of runoff entering sewers during rain events. The 2012 Town of Collingwood Tree Canopy Study calculated the Town's tree canopy at 28.23%, a decrease in the urban forest canopy of 0.63% from 2008. Since 2012 there have been 11 draft plans approved for subdivision developments that have and will result in further loss of tree canopy. As well, invasive insects like the Emerald Ash borer, present a further threat to the urban forest. Of the approximately 6,600 street and park trees in the Town, 14% are ash trees. Evidence of the Emerald Ash borer is present in Collingwood; however, the effects will not be seen for two to three years. The goals of the plan include: • Developing a vision for the urban forest.• Conducting an inventory and assessment of the status of the urban forest. • Updating the Tree Canopy Study. • Developing a strategic plan with goals. • Defining objectives and actions based on the information gathered. • Producing an implementation plan with dates and responsibilities.• Developing a monitoring plan with a matrix to check effectiveness and revise the plan as needed.Once completed, actions resulting from the plan such as planting trees in parking lots will assist with the rainwater management system by decreasing the flow into the stormwater ponds and will filter the water entering the stormwater systems. In addition, increasing green infrastructure will reduce soil erosion at the source instead of sediment washing away into creeks and rivers.