An elm tree near Senator Buchanan Elementary School in Lethbridge (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Urban Forest Management Plan approved by Lethbridge City Council

May 19, 2021 | 11:27 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an Urban Forest Management plan.

Based on a recommendation from a May 6 meeting of the Civic Works Standing Policy Committee, the guiding principles, strategic goals, objectives and recommended priorities contained in the 2021-2041 Urban Forest Management Plan will start to be implemented.

The plan was developed to help Lethbridge respond to the challenges facing the urban forest today and those to come going forward. Some of these challenges include difficult growing conditions, the need for better tree protection, pests, diseases, invasive species, limited community engagement and climate change.

In a release, the city stated that, “the strategies and actions outlined in this plan will ensure that the important services provided by Lethbridge’s urban forest are sustained and enhanced over time.”

The implementation of the plan in the near term can be accomplished with existing financial resources.

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Parks Manager Dave Ellis said, “the urban forest is a major part of Lethbridge’s green infrastructure.”

“The city’s trees provide valuable economic, health and community and environmental services that help make Lethbridge a healthy, livable and attractive community.”

The City of Lethbridge manages an inventory of about 47,000 trees along streets, in parks and other lands owned by the city, as well as many others in the Oldman River valley.

“Outside of the river valley, the climate and environmental conditions do not support any native trees,” the city stated in its release.

“The fact that all trees in the developed area of the city are planted and would not survive without proper management contributes to the importance of dedicated resources, strategies and policies to preserve and enhance this green infrastructure.”

The City of Lethbridge’s 2021-2041 Urban Forest Management Plan can be viewed here.