Report to: General Committee Report Date: March 2, 2009

SUBJECT: Markham Trees for Tomorrow Program 2008 Status Report

PREPARED BY: Bob Nicholson, Manager Business and Technical Services

Ext. # 4893

Nory Takata, Parks Planner - Operations ext. # 3226

RECOMMENDATION:

1) That the ‘Markham Trees for Tomorrow 2008 Status Report be received and the 2009 Work Plan be endorsed; and,

2) That Council, staff and community leaders continue to promote and actively participate in the program; and further,

3) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Trees for Tomorrow program including accomplishments for 2008 and the proposed work plan for 2009.

BACKGROUND:

In 2007, a cross-commission team was created to develop and implement the four year Markham Trees for Tomorrow Program. An analysis of tree planting data for the preceding 10 year period yielded an average of 7,500 planted per year. This number provided the basis for the Trees for Tomorrow target of 75,000 new trees to be planted from 2007 to 2010 inclusive. Concurrent with the development of the program’s many facets, Town staff met with and consulted a comprehensive list of potential partners and stakeholders to seek input and enlist support for the Trees for Tomorrow Program. Along with receiving widespread support, the Trees for Tomorrow Program was embraced for expressing a vision of a more sustainable, healthy and environmentally responsible community.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

2008 STATUS REPORT:

Stated simply, the Trees for Tomorrow Program has surpassed the tree planting targets set for both 2007 and 2008, as illustrated graphically below.

To date, 56,887 new trees have been planted in Markham over the past two calendar years. More importantly, the program’s success has been achieved through the combined efforts of the Town, non-governmental organizations, volunteers from local community groups, both regional school boards, ratepayers associations, service clubs, local businesses (large and small), public agencies and other levels of government. As emphasized in the initial Trees for Tomorrow Program Report, achieving the program’s objectives requires the collective effort and cooperation of the greater Markham Community and other stakeholders represented by the groups listed above.

The breakdown of annual tree planting numbers in the following graphic reaffirms the value and importance of the collaborative aspect of the program.

Formally approved in April 2008, the Trees for Tomorrow Program planting strategy included greater financial and operational resources to support both Town and Community planting projects as the numbers reflect. Including the successful Trees for Tomorrow ‘kick-off’ event at Milne Park, a series of eight community tree planting special events were conducted as part of the Town planting strategy. With over 800 volunteer participants from across the community, the value of these planting events from the perspective of community building, social marketing and the promotion of environmental stewardship, far exceeds the simple act of planting trees.

2008 TOWN PLANTING HIGHLIGHTS

Thematic Area of Focus – Supplemental Park Plantings

· collaborative project by Operations and Urban Design

· 358 caliper trees (50-60 mm) planted in older ‘existing parks’ and ‘newer parks’ (built within last 7 yrs), approximately 700 additional trees to be planted in 2009 (spring and fall)

· new trees will enhance the tree cover and environmental health of existing parks, with the additional benefit of strengthening design intent of newer parks

Eight Community Tree Planting Special Events

· 800 + volunteers

· technical and operational support from TRCA (for 3 events)

· partnership with Evergreen - four planting events and two Trees for Tomorrow promotions ( Milliken Mills Children’s Festival, Staff Appreciation Day)

· supplemental funding from TD Friends of the Environment Fund and HSBC

· over 2000 native trees planted

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) Backyard Tree Planting Pilot

Project

· partnership between LEAF, York Region and the Town

· the 2008 Pilot Program was a great success (over 160 households participating with 190 trees and 164 shrubs planted) exceeding expected program demand by a factor of four

· the guiding principle of this program is to plant ‘the right tree in the right place’ for residential backyards

· recommendations for appropriate native tree or shrub species are based on an initial site assessment (soil type, light regime, site dimensions and energy conservation impacts) performed by a certified arborist

· cost to homeowners represents 50% of total cost (50% subsidization)

· LEAF’s commitment to public outreach and education amply demonstrated by the two tree maintenance workshops conducted in support of Trees for Tomorrow Program

Enhanced Maintenance Program

· two seasonal staff and two re-fitted Operations vehicles were deployed to water, monitor and provide other required after-care to all newly planted trees, protecting the significant investment in and ensuring the long term survival of new tree stock

· ongoing dialogue between Town and York Region staff, exchanging best practice information to optimize tree health benefits from post planting watering and maintenance routines

2008 COMMUNITY PLANTINGS HIGHLIGHTS

Rouge Park Afforestation / Habitat Restoration Projects

· larger scale tree planting projects conducted by: 10,000 Trees for the Rouge, Friends of the Rouge Watershed, Ontario Streams, Rouge Valley Naturalists and Trees Ontario

· significant contributors to overall tree planting numbers while involving the active inclusion of thousands of Markham volunteers

· Town support (financial and operational) of these projects is leveraged by the additional funding and in-kind support these organizations receive

· Trees for Tomorrow Program has helped to improve communications, coordination of efforts and instill team building between project partners in ways that strengthen the Town’s position as stakeholder in this biologically significant component of Markham’s green infrastructure

Environmental Benefits

Over an 80 year period it is estimated that approximately 36,545 metric tons of carbon dioxide will be removed from the atmosphere by the trees planted in 2007 and 2008 (using simplified carbon calculation methodology from the Tree Canada Foundation). This equates to taking approximately 205 Sport Utility Vehicles (driven 20,000 km/year) off the road over the same period of time. Not included in this calculation are the reduced carbon dioxide emissions due to energy savings that trees contribute in urban settings.

The Town’s participation in an Urban Forest Effects Model study partnership will provide more detailed information on the energy conservation impacts of trees. Estimates of air quality improvements and other environmental services ascribed to trees will be included in the UFORE Report at the conclusion of this study.

Commission Projects

Development Services Commission

In support of the Trees for Tomorrow Program the Development Services Commission continues to work on the following project commitments:

· Revised site plan and Subdivision Standards

· Identify natural protection policy areas for potential tree planting sites

· Review of planting possibilities on TRCA lands

· Tree Planting Policy for Capital Projects

· Long-term tree monitoring protocol

Corporate Services Commission

The Communications & Community Relations department continues to develop and improve the following Trees for Tomorrow Program components:

· Overall communication strategy

· Develop Sponsorship Program

· Special Event Coordination

2009 WORK PLAN

Overview of upcoming events and projects for 2009:

Thematic Areas of Focus

· Gateways and Entrance Features – enhanced plantings using distinctive tree and shrub species, at key entrance points and adjoining streetscape ‘necks’ to beautify and add interest to corner features

· Sapling Plantings – to increase habitat and improve ecological function in selected parks

Community Tree Planting Special Events:

· Spring Plantings - Pomona Mills Park, Grandview Park, Rodick Road and Highway 7, MOEE Pond; Trees for Tomorrow Commemorative Plaque unveiling on Canada Day at Milne Park

· Fall Plantings - dates and sites TBD, including a Teamwork activity planting for Town of Markham staff at 8100 Warden Ave.

· Continue working partnership with Evergreen on community tree planting projects, educational seminars and schoolyard planting programs

LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program

· Expand Backyard Tree Planting Program in partnership with York Region and LEAF

Rouge Park Afforestation / Habitat Rehabilitation Projects

· Continue to support and work with 10,000 Trees for the Rouge, Friends of the Rouge Watershed, Ontario Streams, Trees Ontario, Rouge Park, TRCA and York Region on larger tree planting projects

Outreach and Education

· Continue to provide activities that engage residents, community groups and businesses to support the Trees for Tomorrow Program and other key environmental initiatives

UFORE Study

· Field data collection to commence in June 2009, in partnership with York Region and TRCA

Trees for Tomorrow Fund

The spring 2009 uptake of Trees for Tomorrow Fund applications concluded on February 13. Five applications totalling $127,000 were scheduled for review by the Environmental Issues Committee on March 19. Applications advanced for approval are expected to be before General Committee in April.

Many more enquiries were received in response to the Town’s call for applications, the majority of which could be directed to follow one of three common paths:

· Groups interested in tree planting events will attend an upcoming community tree planting

· Schools with smaller projects will investigate Evergreen’s Learning Grounds Program and MESF

· Contact Evergreen for possible tree planting opportunity (as proposed in Evergreen’s Trees for Tomorrow Fund Application)

‘Tees for Trees’ Business Challenge

In response to Council’s direction to find ways to increase planting on private lands, particularly in commercial and industrial areas, Corporate Communications staff, in partnership with the York Downs Golf and Country Club, have developed the ‘Tees for Trees’ business challenge.

On June 5, 2009, York Downs will host a luncheon for approximately 150 key business leaders and guests to issue a tree planting challenge to other Markham golf courses. At the event, attendees will be introduced to the Trees for Tomorrow Program and encouraged to commit to planting additional trees and other environmental enhancements on private lands.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:

See Appendix A: Status of Capital Accounts

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

The Trees for Tomorrow Program aligns with all of the Town’s strategic priorities, most notably where environmental and sustainability issues arise. By involving Markham residents, the private sector and other stakeholders, the Trees for Tomorrow Program has proved to be a community building exercise in a most inclusive way.

DEPARTMENTS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Office of the CAO – Green Print Office

Corporate Services – Communications & Community Relations

Development Services – Development Engineering, Environmental Planning, Capital

Works, Urban Design

RECOMMENDED

BY: ________________________ ________________________

Paul Ingham Peter Loukes

General Manager, Operations Director, Operations

Brenda Librecz

Commissioner, Community and Fire Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A: Status of Capital Accounts

R:\Year 2009\General\March 30, 2009\Markham Trees for Tomorrow Program 2008 Status Update Report.doc