Mar.23 2024
Greetings and good news! – In February, the Mayor and entire City Council voted to support funding of the Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy in the 2024–2027 Preliminary Budget. In December, City Council adopted Winnipeg’s first ever Forestry Strategy.
We need to keep the Forestry Strategy top of mind for City Council as the budget can be revised until March 20.
A commitment to funding is needed to grow the forest to protect us from flooding, climate change effects, provide habitat and a host of ecosystem services. The funding to achieve the goals of the strategy cannot be postponed.
Thank you very much to everyone who has already sent a letter of support to the Mayor and Councillors.
We encourage you all to write a letter to show your appreciation to the Mayor and Councillors for approving the Urban Forestry Strategy and supporting its accompanying budget in full. Sending letters is important to keep the funding intact until Council votes on March 20. Between now and the final vote, there are many pressures and revisions to the Preliminary Budget. The sooner letters are sent, the better.
For editable template letter to send, Councillor email addresses and more:
https://ours-winnipeg.weebly. com/save-our-canopy.html
Schedule of budget meetings in March (with Urban Forestry Strategy on the Agenda) where the public can register to speak or send a submission at https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/ dmis/:
1. Monday, March 11 - Standing Policy Committee on Community Services - budget delegations
2. Friday, March 15 - Executive Policy Committee - budget delegations
3. Wednesday, March 20 - Council to consider budget
To register as a delegation to speak in person or on line, or submit written comments for the upcoming Committee meetings, go to online delegation registration form. Additional information at winnipeg.ca/delegations.
Winnipeg Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy, budget request and accompanying reports are found on City Council Agenda page, December 14, Item 5 near the end of the agenda.
https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/ DMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=24329& SectionId=&InitUrl=
City of Winnipeg Budget Page
https://www.winnipeg.ca/city- governance/budget-finance/ multi-year-budget-2024-2027
The Forestry Strategy is a modest plan with a long term target to increase the tree canopy cover from 17% to 24% by 2065, by planting 17,000 trees per year. The strategy can get only off to a good start if the funding is provided as requested in the Parks Department Recommendations for the Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy. Over the years the target will be challenged by drought years, high heat, development choices, infestations and inconsistent funding. It will require attention of us all to keep the budget, protection and enhancement of the urban forest on track.
