More urgency is needed in expanding Calgary’s tree canopy, a green cover that lags behind other Canadian cities, says an environmental group. Read More
(U of C professor Heather) Addy said the city’s goal of 16 per cent trees coverage over land it owns should be nearly double that, a standard that’s been met or sought by other Canadian centres….
(U of C professor Heather) Addy said the city’s goal of 16 per cent trees coverage over land it owns should be nearly double that, a standard that’s been met or sought by other Canadian centres….
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More urgency is needed in expanding Calgary’s tree canopy, a green cover that lags behind other Canadian cities, says an environmental group.
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While members of the Calgary Climate Hub say they’re supportive of the city’s efforts in adding trees to its leafy inventory, it should be moving faster and in a more even-handed way.
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The city’s northeast and downtown need to catch up to the rest of Calgary in its green numbers, said Heather Addy, a volunteer with the group, who notes the city has set a goal of doubling its canopy from the current 8 per cent coverage of city land by 2060.
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“The northeast has a much lower tree canopy, it’s below 8 per cent — some of those are new communities but some are not,” said Addy, a University of Calgary professor emeritus in bioscience.
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“And the downtown needs more trees — there’s not much for people who work there but also for those who live there and it’s hot during the summer.”
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Calgary canopy falling behind
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In September 2022, Nature Canada released a tree equity report that found Calgary‘s urban canopy covered just 8.25 per cent of the city, based on satellite images as well as 3-D Lidar data. In comparison, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal each boasted more than 20 per cent coverage.
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The study also showed Calgary‘s tree canopy was reduced between 2012 and 2022.
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Last November, the city announced it will receive nearly $61 million from the federal government’s 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program — a 2019 election promise from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to plant an additional two billion trees across Canada within a decade.
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The funding will allow for 930,000 new trees to be planted across Calgary over the next five years, which the city said will help expand its overall urban forest canopy and provide equitable access for all residents.
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Conserving trees on private property
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Richer neighbourhoods have more canopy cover
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Addy said the city’s goal of 16 per cent trees coverage over land it owns should be nearly double that, a standard that’s been met or sought by other Canadian centres and even more trees will be needed to replace those that die from drought or disease.
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Homeowners can help
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But meeting those goals will require the participation of homeowners whose role in adding more trees on their own, private land is crucial, she said.
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“It’s really something for Calgarians to come together on,” said Addy.
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That could be done by the city providing incentives or a bylaw.
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But last Tuesday, council rejected a motion from Ward Coun. Terry Wong for the city to pursue a private tree conservation bylaw. The city will instead adjust its land-use bylaw to incentivize tree conservation