Urban Forest Management Plan
An urban forest is made up of every tree in our city, including in our yards, streets, ravines and parks! This plan will help care for and protect every tree in Vaughan.
The City of Vaughan is seeking your input to help develop its first Urban Forest Management Plan. The plan will include:
- information on the current state of Vaughan’s urban forest.
- a long-term vision to manage the urban forest.
- goals, recommendations and targets to achieve the vision.
- a financial analysis to guide implementation.
As part of this plan, the City is also developing a Woodland Management Strategy to guide the management of all City-owned woodlands. The term woodland describes groupings of trees growing under natural forest conditions.
Your input is an essential part of developing the Urban Forest Management Plan. Throughout 2023, you will be invited to have your say to help the City understand shared values, goals and objectives that will inform the vision, recommendations and priorities for managing the urban forest in Vaughan.
Background
Vaughan’s urban forest includes all the trees, vegetation, soils and ecosystem components within the City’s municipal boundary. It includes all trees growing in Vaughan, including City-owned street trees, park trees, natural woodlands and trees on private land in urban and rural areas. Basically, if a tree has roots anywhere in our city, you can bet it will be cared for through the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Trees are an important resource. They are integral to the city's character and enhance the quality of life for our community. They provide oxygen; improve mental and physical health; provide shelter for insects, birds and other animals; provide shade and food for humans and animals, like fruits and nuts. They also cool the air, save water, reduce noise pollution, capture stormwater runoff and beautify the community.
Get Involved
Read the Phase 1 engagement summary
Two rounds of public engagement are planned to help inform the development of the Urban Forest Management Plan. Phase 1 occurred from March to April 2023, and was designed to help inform the vision, principles and goals of this plan. We heard from nearly 500 survey respondents whose feedback will help inform the development of the final plan. Read the Phase 1 engagement summary (PDF).
Attend an in-person open house
Join City staff on Thursday, June 8 anytime from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Woodbridge Room 242 at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr. W.) to learn more about the current state of our urban forest and the framework of the Urban Forest Management Plan. Registration is encouraged.
Participate in a guided nature walk
Speak directly with the project team during a nature walk on Saturday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at Sugar Baker Bush Woodlot (91 Thornhill Woods Dr.). Staff will speak about the pressures woodland management is facing in Vaughan and the framework of the Urban Forest Management Plan. Registration is encouraged.
Coming soon: more opportunities to have your say!
The City’s first-ever State of the Urban Forest report and framework of the Urban Forest Management Plan will be posted online in early June. You will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Urban Forest Management Plan through a short survey. We’re looking for input on which goals and strategies you hope to see prioritized in the final plan. Check back soon for more details!
Project Updates
In Phase 1, residents were invited to provide input on tree care and management to help the City understand shared values, goals and objectives that will inform the vision and recommendations for Vaughan’s first-ever Urban Forest Management Plan.
The following engagement opportunities were available in Phase 1:
- Virtual open house – COMPLETED (April 3, 2023)
- Online survey – COMPLETED (March 21 to April 28, 2023)
- Map Vaughan’s trees – COMPLETED (March 21 to April 28, 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Answer
The City manages the health, removal and replacement of approximately 130,000 public trees and regulates countless more on private property. The City is developing its first Urban Forest Management Plan to identify the current state of Vaughan’s trees and create a long-term vision to manage them.
The Urban Forest Management Plan will also include tailored strategies and actions to address specific pressures on Vaughan’s urban forest, including those related to urban development, climate change and extreme weather, invasive pests and asset management.
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Answer
As part of this plan, the City is also developing a Woodland Management Strategy to guide the management of all City-owned woodlands.
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Answer
The term woodland describes groupings of trees growing under natural forest conditions.
Trees in woodlands represent a part of the urban forest, along with other trees such as street trees, open-grown park trees and open-grown trees on private property. As large, natural features, even a single woodland can span across several properties.