Branch Out: Events & Educational Materials

Urban Forestry & Park Ecology

Urban forestry is the sustained planning, planting, protection, maintenance, and care of trees, forests, greenspace and related resources in and around cities and communities for economic, environmental, social, and public health benefits for people. The definition includes retaining trees and forest cover as urban populations expand into surrounding rural areas and restoring critical parts of the urban environment after construction. Expansion at the urban/rural interface raises environmental and public health safety concerns, as well as opportunities to create educational and environmental links between urban people and nature. In addition, urban and community forestry includes the development of citizen involvement and support for investments in long-term on-going tree planting, protection, and care programs.

The ability to preserve, sustain, and regenerate our urban forest over time depends on actions taken by multiple Township departments, community, residents, organizations, businesses.

Tree Protection Bylaw FAQs

Community Approach

The responsibility for sustaining the urban forest ultimately involves individual and neighborhood actions as well as governmental actions. Because the majority of trees exist on private land, community engagement and cooperation is vital in the protection of trees.

Ecological Approach

Trees are not merely units to be accounted for, but are inherently part of a natural ecology. Collectively, trees are an essential element for human and ecological health due to the environmental and social functions and services they provide. Click here to learn more.


EDUCATIONAL PRINT MATERIALS:

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Esquimalt is a green community that respects, values, cares for and protects its urban forest, a thriving and sustainable mix of tree and understory species. The urban forest is composed of a variety of treed environments, including natural areas, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, parks and boulevards.

For more information contact:
Robbie Young
Tel: 250-412-8501