Environmental Plans & Strategies

Urban Forest Strategy

Engage Hamilton

Draft Urban Forest Strategy

For the past two years, the City has been working with stakeholders, residents, and other City staff to prepare an Urban Forest Strategy for Hamilton.

Two draft reports are available for review: Urban Forest Strategy and Technical Report

Visit engage.hamilton.ca

What is the urban forest? Hamilton’s urban forest includes all of the publicly and privately-owned trees and supporting vegetation in the urban area. The urban forest includes more than Hamilton’s natural areas. Individual trees and groups of trees along streets, in backyards, parks, and commercial areas in Hamilton’s urban boundary are also part of the urban forest.

About the Hamilton Urban Forest Strategy

A plan to ensure the long-term health of Hamilton’s urban forest.

The Urban Forest Strategy (UFS) guide the protection, care and planting of the City’s trees and forests on public and privately-owned land in the urban area. A bold strategy for Hamilton’s urban forest is also needed to help the City meet its urban forestry goals as set out in the Urban Hamilton Official Plan.

The Urban Forest Strategy will include:

A sample inventory of trees within the urban area to describe the condition of Hamilton’s urban forest
A community-developed vision for the desired future state of the urban forest
Background research on existing policies, by-laws, programs, partnerships, and activities within Hamilton
Identifying challenges and opportunities for improving the urban forest
Recommended actions including programs, policies, and partnerships
Recommended monitoring and indicators to determine if the UFS is meeting its vision

Committee and Reports

Timeline

Public Consultation

Planning Committee - December 8, 2020

Staff Report - City of Hamilton Draft Urban Forest Strategy (PED 20173) Appendix A - Draft City of Hamilton Urban Forest Strategy Appendix B - Urban Forest Strategy Draft Themes and Actions Appendix C - Draft City of Hamilton Urban Forest Strategy Technical Report

Planning Committee - February 14, 2017

Staff Report - Hamilton Urban Forest Strategy Work Plan (PED02229(g)) Appendix A - Urban Forest Strategy Draft Work Plan

Phase 1 (Jan to Dec 2018)
- Background Information Review
- Data Collection and Analysis
Phase 2 (May 2018 to Dec 2019)
- Public Engagement Activities
Phase 3 (Jan 2019 to Oct 2020)
- Draft Report Preparation
Phase 4 (Fall/Winter 2020-2021)
- Draft Report Review & Public Engagement
- Final Report & Council Approval

Timeline graphic outlining the four phases of the project

Virtual Public Meeting

Held February 9, 2021
Presented the Draft Urban Forest Strategy Report.

Visit engage.hamilton.ca/urban-forest-strategy to view the Q&A summary from this meeting.

Public Workshops

Held June 5,19 and 24, 2019
Received feedback on the draft vision statement, goals and actions. Presentation(PDF, 1.33 MB)

City Staff Workshop and External Stakeholders Workshop

Held May 17, 2019
Afternoon session was an Internal staff workshop to review the draft goals and actions. The evening session was for external stakeholders, to review the draft goals and actions. Presentation(PDF, 1.66 MB)

Public Open House

Held May 29, 2018
Introduced the project and invited input on the community's vision for managing the urban forest.
Presentation Panels(PDF, 1.45 MB) | Open House Summary(PDF, 19.52 KB)

City Staff Workshop

Held May 17, 2018
An internal staff working seminar.
City Staff Summary(PDF, 1.63 MB)

External Stakeholders Workshop

Held May 17, 2018
Provided context/objectives of the Hamilton Urban Forest Strategy and offered engagement activities.
Presentation(PDF, 1.02 MB) | Workshop Summary(PDF, 1.39 MB)

Date modified

August 16, 2022