Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Study - Final Report

SUMMARY REPORT

URBAN FOREST BENCHMARKING AND AUDIT STUDY NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA APRIL 2022 COMPLETED BY: PLANIT GEO

This page intentionally left blank

TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... I 1.0 Nanaimo’s Urban Forest ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Importance of Urban Forest Planning ............................................................................................... 3 1.2 Purpose of the 2022 Study .................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Planning Nanaimo’s Urban Forest ..................................................................................................... 4 A. Organizational Structure and Responsibilities .............................................................................................. 4 B. 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy........................................................................................................ 4 C. Status of the Urban Forest Management Strategy’s Supporting Actions .................................. 8 D. Urban Forest Management Strategy Next Steps ......................................................................................... 9 2.0 Urban Forest Study Methodology................................................................................................... 10 A. Research ................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 B. City Staff Consultations ................................................................................................................................................ 10 C. Benchmarking Research .............................................................................................................................................. 11 D. Urban Forest Audit (Gap Analysis) ......................................................................................................................... 11 3.0 Urban Forest Study Findings .............................................................................................................12 A. Research ................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 B. City Staff Consultations ................................................................................................................................................ 15 C. Benchmarking Research ............................................................................................................................................. 21 D. Urban Forest Audit (Gap Analysis) ....................................................................................................................... 28 4.0 Discussion and Recommendations................................................................................................38 A. Overview................................................................................................................................................................................. 38 B. Discussion ............................................................................................................................................................................. 38 C. Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 D. Call to Action ....................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Appendices ...................................................................................................................................................... A Appendix A. 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy Goals and Objectives .................................B Appendix B. Alignment of Existing City Plans ......................................................................................................... H Appendix C. Complete Benchmarking Research Matrix ................................................................................. N

TABLES AND FIGURES TABLES Table 1. Summary of resources reviewed as part of the Study ......................................................................... 12 Table 2. Summary of the shared goals and policies within other City planning efforts and… ... 13 Table 3. Summary of invited staff for the Urban Forest Study survey ......................................................... 15 Table 4. Responses (direct quotations) to the survey question #1 ................................................................. 16 Table 5. Responses to survey question #3 ...................................................................................................................... 18 Table 6. Summary of cities and regions included in the benchmarking research ............................ 21 Table 7. Comparison of city size, population, and distance to Nanaimo, BC ......................................... 21 Table 8. Comparison of urban forestry budgets and proportions ................................................................ 22 Table 9. Comparison of urban forestry statistics ....................................................................................................... 22 Table 10. Comparison of urban forest agencies and responsibilities ......................................................... 23 Table 11. Comparison of management activities ....................................................................................................... 24 Table 12. Comparison and summary of community engagement programs and activities ..... 24 Table 13. Comparison of urban forestry related policies and Bylaws ......................................................... 25 Table 14. Categories for evaluation using the U.S. Forest Service Urban Forest Audit System . 28 Table 15. List of subcategories within the Management Policy and Bylaws category of…........... 28 Table 16. Outcomes of the urban forest audit completed in 2022 for Nanaimo’s Urban… ......... 28 Table 17. Summary of the Vibrant Cities Lab’s assessment of Nanaimo’s urban forest ................. 37 Table 18. Summary of recommended actions ............................................................................................................ 39 Table 19. Summary of the commonalities among City plans and resources relating to the… .... H

FIGURES Figure 1. Responses to survey question #2 ......................................................................................................................17 Figure 2. Responses to survey question #4 .................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 3. Responses to survey question #5 ................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 4. Summary of the 2022 Urban Forest Audit for Nanaimo's Study.............................................. 29

URBAN FOREST STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NANAIMO, BC

│

APRIL 2022

RESOURCES REVIEWED

28 303 86

documents reviewed references to trees policies align with urban forestry

STAFF SURVEYS

20 4

staff invited, 75% participation City departments

60% desire information, resources, benchmarking and goal setting from this study

BENCHMARKING

10 6 The trees and associated vegetation that we live around, including in parks, rights-of-way, boulevards, medians, facility grounds, and greenbelts, are collectively known as the urban forest. Like storm drains and sidewalks, the urban forest is an essential part of city infrastructure and provides meaningful, measurable benefits, like urban heat mitigation, energy savings, climate resilience, and much more.

Urban forests face unprecedented challenges in a warming environment with ever expanding development needs. New and introduced tree pests and diseases threaten the health and longevity of trees, and programs often face uncertainty when it comes to a consistent budget that meets the needs of the trees and the community.

35

cities or regions compared categories (city stats, budget, trees, program, community, policy) attributes evaluated

AUDIT (“GAP ANALYSIS”)

130 53% 53% 87

urban forestry elements ranked level of attainment* of indicators are “moderate” Vibrant Cities Lab’s “gap score”

*Attainment refers to 11 urban forest management category rankings. 53% of indicators as moderate refers to Nanaimo’s status for indicators across a low to optimal spectrum. The Vibrant Cities Lab’s gap score is an assessment and goal-setting tool to identify strengths and areas for improvement. These audits informed Report recommendations.

To identify the challenges and priorities of Nanaimo’s urban forest and to explore opportunities where benefits can be maximized, the Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study of 2022 (“Study”) evaluated the City’s urban forestry program with the goal of supporting human and ecosystem health and well-being. Evaluations and analyses included research deep-dives, City staff surveys, benchmarking research, and auditing systems. The findings from the Study provide the program’s baseline conditions and the guidance for updating the City’s 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy (“UFMS”) and supporting studies.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Study Apr2022

Page | I

URBAN FOREST STUDY

RECOMMENDATIONS TIMING

THEME

RECOMMENDATIONS (CONDENSED) 1. Review Study findings and recommendations

Plan Evaluate Share PreStrategy Update

Budget

2. Establish an urban forestry working group 3. Update status of UFMS modules 4. Share findings of Study 5. Prepare for UFMS update 6. Budget for UFMS update 7. Inventory public trees

Assess

8. Analyze tree benefits and services

Partner

9. Assess citywide urban tree canopy

Engage

10. Communicate assessment findings 11. Collaborate to update the UFMS 12. Gather public input to develop the UFMS

Strategy Update PostStrategy Update

Plan

13. Develop the UFMS scope and framework 14. Complete the UFMS update

Share

15. Communicate UFMS results

Monitor

16. Track, monitor, and adapt implementation

Based on the findings from the urban forest study, recommendations for advancing the City’s urban forestry programs, expanding tree canopy cover, and strengthening community stewardship were developed. Primarily, the recommendations will build the framework for updating the 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy and support implementation to achieve higher levels of service and urban forest sustainability.

Urban trees can play a significant role in making cities resilient to weather and climate extremes, and in protecting human and ecosystem health and safety. To do so, trees must be consciously selected, planted, and managed as the central component of an urban forest where individual trees are maintained as part of a greater system with the purpose of improving the urban environment and enhancing the benefits of that ecosystem. This Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study is an important piece of that larger mission and should be utilized to launch new initiatives, programs, and studies that enhance the urban forest for current and future generations.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Study Apr2022

Page | II

NANAIMO URBAN FOREST SUMMARY REPORT

1.0 NANAIMO’S URBAN FOREST Urbanization creates significant changes in land use and land cover, affecting the structure, pattern, and function of ecosystems. The public is increasingly concerned about how these changes influence daily life and affect the sustainability of “quality of life” for future generations. Improving air quality, alleviating water shortages, cooling urban heat islands, and reducing stormwater runoff are challenges facing the City of Nanaimo. Rapid growth in Nanaimo, with a population of 103 thousand (2021 estimate), is accelerating these problems.

The problems need solutions as the region tries to protect and restore environmental quality while enhancing economic opportunity.

Tree canopy is a valuable component of Nanaimo’s urban ecosystem. Trees in urban settings are important to improving urban life, as well as human physical and emotional well-being.

Research suggests that human beings have an innate affiliation to natural settings, a concept described as biophilia (Kellert and Wilson 1993). Numerous studies link access to living trees, outdoor air, and natural light to increased employee and student productivity, faster hospital recoveries, less crime, and an overall reduction in stress and anxiety. Thus, expanding the urban forest is part of the solution to Nanaimo’s social, environmental, and economic problems— it is integral to enhancing public health programs, increasing land values and local tax bases, providing job training and employment opportunities, reducing costs of city services, increasing public safety, improving air quality, offsetting carbon emissions, managing stormwater runoff, mitigating water shortages, and conserving energy.

Nanaimo is a vibrant city that will continue to grow. As it grows, it should also continue to invest in its tree canopy and urban forest. This is no easy task, given financial constraints and trends toward higher density development that may put space for trees at a premium. The challenge ahead is to better integrate the green infrastructure with the gray infrastructure by preserving existing trees, increasing tree planting, providing adequate space for new trees, and designing plantings to maximize net benefits over the long term, thereby perpetuating a resource that is both functional and sustainable.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 1

The City has a wide variety of native and non-native tree species which help define the character and give texture to many of its neighbourhoods and parks. Much of this variety has come though the influence of various people who have shaped the landscape leaving their impression on Nanaimo. Initially, the Snuneymuxw First Nation, who have occupied the Nanaimo area for thousands of years, performed modest landscape management of the Garry oak ecosystems which once covered large areas of Nanaimo. Some of these meadows still exist in fragments throughout Nanaimo, but the majority of the meadows were lost after European settlement. After European settlement, a wide variety of tree and plant species were imported and planted in Nanaimo. Many of these plantings are still present today (Nanaimo Urban Forest Management Strategy, 2010).

Nanaimo’s landscape has also been shaped by the many invasive species which have been introduced over the years. These invasive species have out-competed many of the native plants that once flourished in Nanaimo, and in areas where these invasive plants have been removed, the native species are slowly returning. Other issues that put Nanaimo’s urban forest at risk include a maturing urban forest that block viewscapes or are at risk of failure. In other parts of the City, the mature trees are seen as the view and are enjoyed by many.

Some street tree choices prove to be poor choices due to safety concerns over sight lines and the damage that has been caused by root systems to sidewalks and roadways. In addition, landscaping choices by both residents and the City have encouraged the spread of a number of invasive species that have become problems on both public and private property.

The City recognizes that the trees and vegetation of private property contribute largely to the overall forest coverage of Nanaimo. It is important, therefore, for the City of Nanaimo to work with the residents of Nanaimo to create a sustainable urban forest by updating management strategies.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 2

1.1 IMPORTANCE OF URBAN FOREST PLANNING In adhering to best management practices as framed by an updated Urban Forest Management Strategy, Nanaimo’s urban forest stands a chance of being a sustainable and resilient resource. This will require an integrated ecosystem management approach. That system is based on the recognition that the urban forest is a resource which should be viewed as a tangible asset which confers broad benefits to all community members of the City of Nanaimo and complements the biodiversity values of the surrounding natural environment.

Urban forests face unprecedented challenges in a warming environment with ever expanding development needs.

The urgency of protecting the urban forest has risen sharply as drought, pests, disease, climate impacts, and limited budgets lead to rapidly rising tree mortality. To address and reverse tree die-off and the loss of ecosystem benefits, Nanaimo needs a robust system of professional management of public trees and improved support of resident engagement in the care and expansion of the urban forest, both public and private.

In order to preserve the urban forest and the myriad benefits conferred, the residents of Nanaimo will need to be vigilant and remain committed to sound environmental standards which will ensure that generations to come will enjoy the same. If Nanaimo is to be a leader and environmental champion, the stewardship of its green infrastructure and the fundamental role played by trees in that ecology is paramount. All community stakeholders should be involved in bringing this to fruition and safeguarding the future of trees in Nanaimo’s neighbourhoods.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE 2022 STUDY The 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy (“UFMS” or “Strategy”) is a crucial planning effort to build a more sustainable resource and a healthy community, among other core urban forest management elements. An update to this Strategy along with supporting studies such as a comprehensive public tree inventory and Citywide urban tree canopy (UTC) assessment will help guide how the City might think about strengthening Bylaws, standards, practices, and procedures; staffing structures and authority; opportunities for sustained and diversified funding; guidance for routine and systematic inventories and assessments; tree maintenance efficiencies and planting/canopy goals and priorities; storm, disaster, and risk management needs; and community outreach, education, and engagement.

To address challenges and priorities, the Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study of 2022 (“Study”) offers an opportunity to evaluate and plan for improving urban forest management toward the goal of supporting human and ecosystem health and well-being. The findings from the Study provide the guidance and initial framework for updating the City’s 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 3

1.3 PLANNING NANAIMO’S URBAN FOREST A. Organizational Structure and Responsibilities Nanaimo’s urban forest resource is a vital asset to the community providing numerous benefits and services relating to human health, the environment, and local economies. The urban forest is managed through a collaborative effort between the Parks and Horticulture Section in the City’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department and the Development Engineering and Environmental Protection Sections in the Development Services Department.

The Horticulture Section is primarily involved with tree risk mitigation, tree planting, tree maintenance, watering, planning, invasive species control, native habitat restoration, public education, and outreach. These duties are primarily overseen by the Urban Forestry Coordinator. Recently, duties such as administration and enforcement of the Tree Management and Protection Bylaw for development projects, plan and permit reviews, tree removal permit administration, development oversight, and aspects of public education and service requests were transferred to Development Services and overseen by the Urban Forester. This enables the Urban Forestry Coordinator to more effectively engage in long-range planning and management of the urban forest.

B. 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy To guide urban forest management in Nanaimo, the City developed the Urban Forest Management Strategy in 2010. The Strategy was developed to fulfill a need for better forest, vegetation, and ecosystem management throughout the City by establishing management directions using guiding principles and policies that are organized around a series of “modules”. The need for an Urban Forest Management Strategy was identified in the City’s Official Community Plan (2008), Urban Forest Study - City Trees and You (2008), and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan (2004).

To develop the Strategy, research and review of management plans from communities in British Columbia and across North America were conducted as well as focus group meetings to define the scope and direction. Also, a public survey was administered during the planning effort to identify relevant issues and concerns.

Based on the research, review, and engagement from the community, a set of modules in the Strategy were designed to identify goals, objectives, and action plans for seven key issue areas: ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Module 1: Education and Outreach Module 2: Parks and Natural Areas Management Module 3: Street/Boulevard Trees and Landscaping Module 4: Site Specific Tree Removal and Replacement Module 5: Property Value - Views and Privacy Module 6: Wildfire Interface Module 7: Planning and Enforcement

Within each module, a series of goals and objectives were developed. The following provides a paraphrased summary of these components (view Appendix A for a detailed summary of the goals and objectives for each module). It is recommended the status of each module’s goals, objectives, and actions be reviewed as part of the Strategy Update.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 4

Module 1: Education and Outreach Goal: To raise public awareness of the benefits, health and maintenance of trees and vegetation in Nanaimo.

Module 1 Objectives/Actions 1) Communication Plan and Outreach Strategy, 2) Inform the Public on the Management and Care of the Urban Forest Module 1 Status: ###

Module 2: Parks and Natural Areas Management Goal: To maintain and expand the forested character of Nanaimo by preserving wildlife habitat, parks and greenway corridors with policies relating to tree retention, replanting and preplanting in newly-developed areas.

Module 2 Objectives/Actions 1) Develop a forest management / natural areas plan for each City park…

2) The City will explore partnership opportunities with Snuneymuxw First Nation in comanaging culturally significant natural landscapes (Garry oak meadow areas) within the City’s parkland.

3) The City will work to enhance forest biodiversity when replacing trees in City parks.

4) Environmentally Sensitive Areas – modification in accordance with Bylaws.

5) Vegetation Buffers Adjacent to Agricultural Lands - On lands adjacent to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), vegetation buffers need to be incorporated into designs for development applications. These buffers should conform to the Agricultural Land Commission’s Landscape Buffer Specifications 6) Climate Change – species, protecting natural landscapes, public awareness.

7) Significant Forests - The City will seek to protect lands that possess significant environmental urban forest for both conservation and recreational value (e.g., wildlife corridors).

8) Greenways - The City will strive to create an interconnected greenway network that includes, but is not limited to, the following current and potential greenways…

Module 2 Status: ###

Module 3: Street / Boulevard Trees and Landscaping Goal: Maintain attractive and visually appealing urban street trees and landscaping along the City of Nanaimo’s boulevards and street network. This is to be done in a cost effective manner that maintains public safety and effectively integrates tree / vegetation management with other City infrastructure and includes public involvement.

Module 3 Objectives/Actions 1) Develop a mechanism to clarify responsibility for the maintenance of the boulevard, street and median trees and vegetation between the City and private landowners.

2) Include restrictions on certain tree species / types in the City of Nanaimo’s Tree Management and Protection Bylaw in order to minimize potential damage to City infrastructure.

3) Create a street landscape plan that identifies vegetation suitable for specific regions of Nanaimo, including urban nodes and corridors for transportation and wildlife.

Module 3 Status: ### Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 5

Module 4: Site Specific Tree Removal and Replacement Goal: To increase the tree canopy coverage in the City of Nanaimo.

Module 4 Objectives/Actions 1) Set realistic and defensible targets to increase the City’s tree canopy.

2) Integrate the City’s tree planting program into the City’s Climate Change Plan by determining the level of carbon sequestration in the City’s urban forest and using these levels as a tool in determining tree removal and replacement.

3) Revise current methods for assessing hazardous trees.

4) Identify the principles for the management of requests of specific tree removal.

5) Provide a regulation for tree replacement and removal.

6) Establish interdepartmental standard operating procedures regarding roles and responsibilities for nuisance tree and hazardous tree management. When removal is necessary, a replanting program is required.

Module 4 Status: ###

Module 5: Property Value: Views and Privacy Goal: To reduce the incidence of pruning, topping and complete removal of trees solely for view purposes.

Module 5 Objectives/Actions 1) Educate the community on the value of having and maintaining healthy trees in the City.

2) Provide education on proper techniques of tree pruning.

3) Reduce the frequency of tree removal solely for the purpose of obtaining a view.

4) Develop an incentive program for planting appropriate trees on private land.

Module 5 Status: ###

Module 6: Wildfire Interface Goal: To reduce the threat of preventable forest fires within the City of Nanaimo while balancing other management considerations.

Module 6 Objectives/Actions 1) Maintain an up-to-date assessment of the wildland / interface risk within the community.

2) Continue to mitigate the interface fire threat by the thoughtful use of community planning tools.

3) Create conditions on existing properties that reduce the impact of potential wildland / interface fires and reduce the loss, damage or injury from wildfire.

4) Ensure an effective emergency response to fires in the interface and forested areas.

Module 6 Status: ###

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 6

Module 7: Planning and Enforcement Goal: To create a tree protection bylaw with a high compliance rate through updated policies, incentives and penalties.

Module 7 Objectives/Actions 1) Complete a revision and update of the current Tree Protection Bylaw (1993).

2) Lower the frequency of bylaw offences.

3) To ensure that the bylaws are being followed.

Module 7 Status: ###

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 7

C. Status of the Urban Forest Management Strategy’s Supporting Actions In addition to the Strategy’s primary goals and objectives, a series of supporting actions were developed to support the modules. The table below provides a framework for evaluating the status of each supporting action to be completed as part of the Strategy Update. View the detailed tables for each module beginning on page 20, “Modules” of the Strategy.

Action Table Summary Short Term (to be completed within five years).

Medium Term (to be completed between five and ten years).

Long Term (to be completed beyond ten years).

Ongoing (to be initiated in the short term with no planned date of completion). # 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-5 1 5-2 5-3 5-4 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6 7-1 7-2 7-3 7-4 7-5 7-6

Other Specific Actions Establish and maintain a regular seasonal feature in the newspaper on the significance of Coastal Douglas fir Zone trees and vegetation.

Meet with the School District to determine the interest level in an education project.

Develop a communication plan aimed at educational institutions, businesses, governments, and citizens promoting urban forestry.

Create a training workshop program.

Develop Forest Management Plans for parks.

Review DPA 9 and incorporate Bill 27 tools in combating Climate Change.

Determine the level of forest fire risk in parks.

Create an interconnected greenway.

Review planting specification lists.

Review section 14 of the Engineering Standards and Specifications.

Create a landscape visionary plan for Nanaimo’s main streets, arterials and gateways.

Create an inventory of all the boulevard trees in Nanaimo using a desktop program.

Working through the Volunteers in Parks Program (VIP), connect with community groups and neighbourhood associations interested in implementing planting and education initiatives.

Review the existing tree planting specifications.

Review planting specifications for new subdivisions.

Work towards no net loss in forest canopy by 2020.

Develop a protocol for assessing nuisance and hazard trees.

Establish requirements for protecting and managing wildlife trees within the Tree Protection Bylaw.

Develop a policy for tree replacement.

Develop an incentive program for tree retention.

Include information about trees and views on the website.

Determine an incentive program.

Make a pamphlet for pruning techniques.

Include a section on views in the Tree Protection Bylaw.

Review the fire smart manual and make guidelines more specific to Nanaimo.

Fireproof high risk parks.

Create a fire smart home and site hazard assessment system.

Develop and implement a fuel management plan for buffer areas.

Create fire management plans for City parks.

Complete fuel reduction plans for parks identified in the Wild Fire Hazard Zone by the City Fire Department.

Develop an incentive program for tree retention.

Revise penalty scheme.

Rewrite the current Bylaw.

Educate the public on Bylaw changes.

Create protocol for monitoring sites.

Tree inventory.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Status ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ##

Page | 8

D. Urban Forest Management Strategy Next Steps The Strategy recognized the need to develop new approaches and sources for financing the modules and programs. It also included an Implementation and Monitoring section that recognizes the Strategy as a “living document” requiring regular review and updates to address new projects and priorities that may arise which will take precedence over the current recommendations. These may arise as a result of changes in climate, population growth, housing styles, current forest management practices, and other circumstances. It is important to note that any amendments to the Strategy must be documented and appended to the Strategy.

The Strategy also established the timeframe for updates to ensure the document remains relevant. As of April 2022, over ten years has passed and the City should consider an update to the Strategy that is informed by new data, changing priorities, public input, and industry standards.

An update to the Urban Forest Management Strategy should utilize the framework provided in this Report to evaluate each module’s goals, objectives, and actions. This will inform changes to existing strategies as well as new strategies that align with the City’s current conditions, resources, and public viewpoints.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 9

2.0 URBAN FOREST STUDY METHODOLOGY In early 2022, urban forestry consultants contracted by the City of Nanaimo conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of resources, data, and feedback to develop the Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study. The process integrated the framework within A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability (James Clark, et al. 1997), the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban Forest Sustainability and Management Audit System (U.S. Forest Service Urban Forestry South, Region 8, SRS-4952, 2017), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Urban and Community Forestry Standard, and the Criteria and Indicators for Strategic Urban Forest Planning and Management (Kenney, et al. 2011).

It was noted, some of the resources utilized place emphasis on urban forest management planning in the United States, therefore, additional research and consultations were conducted using the Canadian Nursery Stock Standards (2017), the State of Canada’s Forests Annual Report (2019), the British Columbia Climate Action Toolkit, the Association of British Columbia Forest Professionals, TreeCanada, and the UBV-Vancouver Urban Natures Lab. Each of these resources were applied to the following processes as part of the Study: A) Research, B) City Staff Consultations, C) Benchmarking Research, D) Urban Forest Audit (Gap Analysis).

A. Research Extensive research was conducted to inform the status of Nanaimo’s urban forest, the City’s readiness for improved management, the benchmarking research, gap analysis, and recommendations in this Report. Research was guided by the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban Forest Audit System’s Discovery Matrix which includes 11 categories and 130 supporting elements relating to the urban forest resource, the programs that manage it, and the community that shapes and benefits from it. Research also entailed the local resources described above such as the Canadian Nursery Stock Standards, interviews, among others.

After initial online research was conducted by the consultants, the City reviewed and provided missing resources. Each resource, whether a plan, manual, guideline, flier, or other was reviewed and cross-examined for any and all of the audit system’s categories and elements.

Information uncovered relating to these elements was documented and indexed for use in the consultant’s evaluation.

B. City Staff Consultations To gather existing workflows, operations, challenges, and shared priorities around urban forest management in Nanaimo, a series of surveys and follow-up consultations were conducted with City staff and stakeholders. An initial list of invited members was developed for City review and input. These members have some type of interaction with trees in the City.

Once the list was finalized, a 5-question survey was prepared in Google Forms and an invitation via email was sent to the selected members by the City’s Urban Forestry Coordinator in partnership with the consultants. The survey was open from January 12, 2022 to January 31, 2022. Within the survey, respondents could select an option requesting to meet to further discuss a response. The consultants coordinated follow-up phone calls with these staff. Once the survey was closed and follow-ups were completed, the results were exported to Microsoft Excel and the responses were summarized and analyzed for use in the Study.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 10

C. Benchmarking Research Using the data and information gathered from research and staff consultations, benchmarking research was completed to establish baseline conditions and metrics that were cross-examined with comparable cities and industry standards/best practices. A recommended list of cities was prepared for review by the Urban Forestry Coordinator. These cities were selected based on location, size, number of public trees, program structure, among other considerations. Once the City list was finalized, the consultants utilized research and a database from Municipal Tree Care and Management in the United States: A 2014 Urban & Community Forestry Census of Tree Activities (Hauer, et al. 2014). This census provides urban forestry data for nearly 670 U.S. communities— one of the most comprehensive studies available for urban forest management.

A total of nine cities in British Columbia, including Nanaimo, were benchmarked. In addition, the regional data from the 2014 Census that is relevant to Nanaimo were utilized by including the Western U.S. Region and the 100,000 – 249,999 Population Group values. A benchmarking research matrix was prepared for the nine cities and the two regional groups and was populated with data for 35 attributes categorized as “City Stats”, “Budget”, “Tree Resource”, “Resource Management”, “Community Framework”, and “Institutional Framework”. After review by the Urban Forestry Coordinator, the consultants refined the matrix and closed any remaining data gaps as feasible.

D. Urban Forest Audit (Gap Analysis) By completing the research, staff consultations, and benchmarking research, the necessary information was gathered to implement the Urban Forest Audit, often referred to as a Gap Analysis. The consultants utilized several frameworks to gather a comprehensive understanding of Nanaimo’s status. These frameworks included the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban Forest Sustainability and Management Audit System, the Criteria and Indicators for Strategic Urban Forest Planning and Management, and Vibrant Cities Lab’s Community Assessment and Goal-Setting Tool. The first iteration of the gap analysis was completed by the consultants and shared with the Urban Forestry Coordinator for review and input. Upon review, a final version of the evaluations was prepared. The following provides an overview of the methodology for each framework.

The Urban Forest Sustainability and Management Audit System (“Urban Forest Audit”) consists of 11 categories and 130 elements relating to urban forest management. Each element within the interactive worksheet were ranked on a 0-2 scale— 0 meaning not practiced, 1 as being in development, and 2 as adopted common practice. After each element was ranked, a total score by category and overall was calculated. This evaluation provides a baseline assessment to inform updates to the Urban Forest Management Strategy as well as necessary changes to programs, Bylaws, standards, and procedures.

The Criteria and Indicators for Strategic Urban Forest Planning and Management (“Criteria and Indicators” or “C&Is”) utilizes and amends the framework first developed by James Clark in A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability (1997). In this framework, criteria relating to the vegetation resource (the trees), the resource management (the programs), the community framework (the people), and the institutional framework (agencies and policies) are listed in a table matrix along with metrics (i.e., indicators) that indicate the level of achievement— Low, Moderate, Good, Optimal. This framework establishes a baseline evaluation and the performance indicators to inform strategies and measure progress.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 11

The Vibrant Cities Lab’s Community Assessment and Goal-Setting Tool (“VCL Assessment”) is an online version of the Urban Forest Audit with a different approach to the categories for evaluation. This version includes nine sections or categories containing a total of 28 elements.

Each element is assigned a current status as well as a future desired level of attainment. The current and goal selections made are then summed to generate a gap score.

3.0 URBAN FOREST STUDY FINDINGS The following provides a summary of findings from the A) Research, B) City Staff Consultations, C) Benchmarking Research, and D) Urban Forest Audit:

A. Research Research Findings A total of 28 unique resources were gathered, reviewed, and indexed for use in the Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study. The table below summarizes the resources.

Table 1. Summary of resources reviewed as part of the Study

Vancouver Island University Nanaimo Campus Master Plan Controlling Invasive Plants: Information and Process Package Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications: Section 14 - Landscape Design Criteria

Official Community Plan, 2008

Bylaw 2021 No. 4500 Zoning

Hospital Area Plan

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Plan

Nanaimo Downtown Plan

Port Drive Waterfront Master Plan

Parks Horticulture Strategy

Downtown Urban Design Plan and Guidelines

Neighbourhood Plans (7)

Urban Forestry Management Strategy

Transportation Master Plan

Corporate Climate Change Plan

Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Strategic Plan

Sandstone Master Plan

Oceanview Master Plan

Nanaimo Financial Plan

Active and Sustainable Transportation Plan

City Website

Municipal Natural Assets Initiative Urban Forest, Beautification & Boulevard Tree Planting Information & Process Package

Bylaw 2013 No. 7126 - Management and Protection of Trees

Community Sustainability Action Plan

Social Media

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Urban Forest Study - City Trees and You

Apr2022

Page | 12

During the research, there were 303 instances where one or more of the 28 resources referred to the 130 elements within the Urban Forest Audit Discovery Matrix. Within the 28 resources, the consultants found a total of 50 goals or sections that aligned or pertained to urban forest management. In addition, a total of 86 objectives, policies, recommendations, priorities, or actions aligned with urban forest management across the 28 resources. This exemplifies the complexity of urban forest management and the impact trees in the City have on City planning efforts. It also demonstrates the opportunity trees and urban forest management provide in meeting shared goals and policies across the City. Appendix B provides a more detailed summary of the related goals, policies, and priorities within the 28 resources.

Table 2. Summary of the shared goals and policies within other City planning efforts and resources

Goal Count

Policy Count

Official Community Plan (2008)

7

28

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Plan (2005)

2

2

Park Horticultural Strategy (2005)

6

3

Strategic Plan (2019-2022)

2

4

Nanaimo Downtown Plan (2002)

9

28

Downtown Design Guidelines (2008)

2

7

Transportation Master Plan (2014)

3

14

Manual of Engineering Standards & Specifications, 2020, 13th Ed.

19

0

TOTAL

50

86

Resource

Community Survey Summary – Urban Forest Study – City Trees and You 2008 As part of the research, the 2008 Urban Forest Study, City Trees and You resource was reviewed. Within the study, a summary of community input describes viewpoints relating to the number, primary concerns, and the management needs of trees in Nanaimo. The following tables and charts provide these viewpoints in perceptions gathered in 2008. Going forward, the City should survey the public and measure changes in these perceptions to inform updates to the Urban Forest Management Strategy.

Perceived Change in Number of Trees (Q4) Response Increased Decreased Stayed the Same Not Sure

Total Sample 8.9% 66.0% 9.8% 14.4%

Q4: Perceived Change in Number of Trees Increased, 8.90%

Stayed the Same, 9.80%

Not Sure, 14.40%

Decreased, 66.00%

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 13

Perceived Concerns About City Trees (Q7) Response Block views Damage from falling branches Effort to clean branches & leaves Effort to water Effort to remove leaves from gutters Risk of forest fire Makes yard too dark Causes moss to grow on roofs

Total Sample 25.0% 35.1% 19.1% 7.4% 24.8% 22.2% 13.9% 25.7%

Q7: Perceived Concerns About Trees 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00%

35.10%

19.10%

24.80%

22.20%

25.00%

25.70%

Block views

Causes moss to grow on roofs

13.90% 7.40%

Effort to Makes yard Effort to Risk of Effort to water too dark clean forest fire remove branches & leaves from leaves gutters

Damage from falling branches

Managing City Trees in Nanaimo (Q10) Response Ensure some trees are retained in new developments Provide hazard tree assessment on private property Provide hazard tree assessment on city property Ensure compliance with tree removal bylaws Protect significant heritage trees Provide consultation on street tree issues Coordinate selection & location of city trees Encourage people to donate trees

Total Sample 74.4% 45.8% 65.6% 58.8% 67.0% 44.6% 46.8% 37.2%

Q10: Managing City Trees in Nanaimo (Types of City Programs) 80.00%

74.40% 65.60%

70.00% 60.00% 44.60%

50.00% 40.00%

67.00%

58.80% 45.80%

46.80%

Provide hazard tree assessment on private property

Coordinate selection & location of city trees

37.20%

30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Encourage Provide people to consultation donate trees on street tree issues

Ensure compliance with tree removal bylaws

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Provide Protect Ensure some hazard tree significant trees are assessment heritage trees retained in on city new property developments

Apr2022

Page | 14

Based on the 2008 survey, most respondents feel the number of trees in the City has declined (66%), feel branches falling and causing damage as the primary concern (35%), and would like to see the City ensure trees are retained in new developments (74%).

B. City Staff Consultations Table 3. Summary of invited staff for the Urban Forest Study survey

Title

Department

Director of Community Development

Development Services

Manager

Development Services

Engineering & Environment

Yes

Urban Forester

Development Services

Engineering & Environment

Yes

Director of Development Development Services Approvals Engineering Development Services Development Technician

Section

Completed?

Yes

Yes Engineering & Environment

No

Environmental Planner

Development Services

Engineering & Environment

No

Environmental Protection Officer

Development Services

Engineering & Environment

Yes

Horticulture Supervisor

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Parks Operations

Yes

Urban Forestry Coordinator

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Parks Operations

Yes

Manager

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Parks Operations

Yes

Recreation Coordinator

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Recreation Services

Yes

Director of Facilities and Parks Operations

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Facilities & Parks Operations

No

Manager of Utilities

Engineering & Public Works Public Works

Yes

General Manager

Engineering & Public Works Administration

Yes

Director of Public Works

Engineering & Public Works

No

Director of Engineering

Engineering & Public Works

Yes

Manager of Water Resources

Engineering & Public Works Public Works

Yes

Manager

Engineering & Public Works Roads and traffic Services

No

Roads Supervisor

Engineering & Public Works Roads and traffic Services

No

Emergency Program Manager

Social & Protective Services

Yes

Emergency Management

A total of 20 staff were invited to participate in the 5-question survey— five from Development Services, five from Parks, Recreation & Culture, seven from Engineering & Public Works, and two from Social & Protective Services.

Of the 20 staff, 15 completed the survey (75%), and two staff were consulted in a follow-up meeting. These staff requesting follow-up meetings were the Urban Forester and the Manager of Utilities. At these meetings, the staff expanded on their responses to the survey.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 15

Table 4. Responses (direct quotations) to the survey question #1

Title

Primary Responsibilities

Programs/Services

Director of Development Approvals

Direct Development approvals

Development approvals

Director, Corporate and Business Development

Oversee strategic projects identified by Council and the senior leadership team

Real Estate, Economic Development, Land Development, Strategic Contracts

Emergency Program Manager

Emergency Management

Emergency Management, Mitigation, Response Recovery Preparedness

Environmental Protection Officer

Environmental protection, development impact assessment, environmental enforcement, regulatory compliance and permitting

Environmental protection. Enforcement of the Management and protection of trees bylaw. Riparian protection

General Manager, Engineering & Public Works

Engineering & Public Works

Administration

Director of Engineering

Manager of Roads and Traffic Services Manager of Utilities Manager of Water Resources

Manager, Roads and Traffic Services, Engineering and Public Works Dept.

Manager

Maintenance of transportation assets within the road right-of-way Utilities

Manager, Water resources

City Water Supply

Manager, Engineering & Environment

Manage staff that are responsible for reviewing engineer design and permitting for developments

Permitting (fill permits, works in city street permits, tree removal permits)

Manager, Parks Operations

Parks Operations

Recreation Coordinator

Environmental Education and Stewardship

Supervisor, Horticulture and Arboriculture

Supervise Horticultural Staff

Urban Forester

Urban Forestry Coordinator

All Parks operations and Management of Urban Forest Directing programming and working with volunteers on stewardship projects Horticultural displays and invasive species

Administration, implementation, and enforcement of the City’s Tree Management and Protection Bylaw and Urban Forestry Management Strategy as they relate to small to large scale development projects and to tree related concerns, requests, and activities of private residents.

1) Review and Comment of higher level plans and of subdivision, development, and building permit applications 2) Review & Issuance of Tree Removal Permits, 3) Oversight of developments during the various stages of construction and / or landscaping, 4) Public Education / Consultation, 5) Enforcement of the Management and Protection of Trees Bylaw, 6) Tree Risk Management, 7) Asset management, and 8) Amendment of Higher Level Plans and Bylaws and Development of Intermediate Requirements.

Urban Forest Management

Risk Mitigation, Tree Planting, Tree Maintenance, Watering, Planning, Invasive Species Control, native habitat restoration, education, and outreach

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 16

Figure 1. Responses to survey question #2

2) How does your work impact or influence the urban forest, individual trees, natural areas, and/or the landscape in Nanaimo?

Advocate for public tree and park improvements

47%

Infrastructure maintenance and repair

60%

Ordinances, Bylaw/Code enforcement

40%

Development permitting, Land use, regulatory considerations

53%

Recreation, community engagement

40%

Vegetation management, landscape maintenance

47%

Capital Improvement Projects, including park creation

47%

Minor park improvement (not CIPS), park maintenance

33%

Legal, procedural

53%

Human health, environmental justice

13%

Data management, IT

20%

Risk management policy, hazard mitigation work, public safety

73%

Request to meet to discuss further

0%

OTHER, please specify, or expand on categories above if so desired: 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

For question #2, the majority of respondents (73%) are involved with risk management policy, hazard mitigation work, and public safety. 60% of respondents are involved with infrastructure maintenance and repair.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 17

Table 5. Responses to survey question #3

3) In the context of your work interfaces with trees in the City or as you see trees managed in the City, what are the top 2 or 3 priorities of operations that this Study needs to examine or emphasize (please type "request to meet to discuss further" if preferred)?

– responses provided below are direct quotations Structural pruning and proactive maintenance practices Realistic approach to tree retention through development and maintenance of existing trees Climate change and ensuring minimal risk for potential landslide/flooding/wildfire or impact that could increase risk for natural disaster (Preparedness planning) 1) Provide benchmark / goals and comparison to other municipalities in order to provide a good business case to Mayor & Council and Upper Management to move ahead on developing a new Urban Forest Strategy.

2) Provide some input as to how those goals might be achieved (e.g., staffing / resource requirements, budgeting, outside assistance from consultants, volunteers etc.).

3) Indicate Tree Bylaw strengths and weaknesses, potential areas of improvement, and how our current bylaw compares with other municipalities.

Inventory / gap analysis and then resourcing to fill gaps Staffing increase, Urban forest baseline data collection, strategic planning Staffing levels, Appropriate plan and corporate (organization wide) goals for 5-10 year success Identifying and mapping trees in particular fruit or nut for public use in relation to food sustainability. Keeping these trees at a manageable size to be able to access fruit or nuts - create policy around what can and can't be done with these trees 1) Clear defining of value trees bring for City-related infrastructure - e.g., natural assets, environmental accounting.

2) Appropriate replacement strategy for street trees and their impacts to safety, corporate liability, asset management (sidewalks, streets, sanitary sewers, storm drains) Asset management around the impact trees can have on the surrounding infrastructure. Tree maintenance, pruning, etc. level of service.

Ensure appropriateness to future conte1t/environment (with consideration to climate change) is paramount in evaluating tree retention or replacement. Apply a flexible approach to tree removal and replacement with appropriate valuation of trees being removed. Continue to incentivize private planting/stewardship, while prioritizing and appropriately resourcing public planting/stewardship.

Tree protection, trees and subdivisions, increasing canopy, riparian protection - meet to discuss Our watershed is privately owned and operated by Mosaic that are in the renewal resource industry and harvest trees No impact on maintenance efforts of adjacent infrastructure (sidewalks, roadways, drainage, etc.).

Visibility for safe use of roadways, trimming to maintain clearances for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure users, cleanup of fallen debris (leaves, etc.)

Responses to question #3 trended towards tree maintenance, preparedness planning, climate change solutions, development regulations, staffing and resources, communications, stewardship, infrastructure damage, tree protection, watershed quality, and canopy increase.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 18

Figure 2. Responses to survey question #4

4) What are the current issues, concerns, challenges, information/resource gaps, or inefficiencies experienced, if any, as it relates to the work described in #2?

Staffing

60%

Budget

67%

Sustainability

40%

Environmental/ecological

27%

Infrastructure conflicts

67%

Inter-departmental pressure points, mediation protocols for inter-departmental priorities

47%

Delineation of departmental responsibility, liability

33%

Bylaws, standards

20%

Protocols, BMPs

27%

Collaboration, partnerships

13%

Regulatory requirements

13%

Preparedness planning (wildfire, drought, invasive insects & pests, storms, disease)

33%

Request to meet to discuss further

7%

OTHER, please specify, or expand on categories above if so desired:

7% 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Most responses to question #4 pertaining to current issues, concerns, and challenges relate to infrastructure conflicts (67%), budget (67%), staffing (60%), and inter-departmental pressure points (47%).

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 19

Figure 3. Responses to survey question #5

5) What results and outcomes of the Study would you like to see to assist and support your work or role as it relates to the trees and related services in Nanaimo?

Information

60%

Resources

60%

Forestry staffing

20%

Forestry equipment and technology

20%

Data

47%

Training

33%

Benchmarking and goal setting

60%

Workflow checklists

33%

Uniform work order management

13%

Community volunteers, events, and engagement

47%

Improved program structure or new programs

20%

Task prioritization

33%

Request to meet to discuss further

7%

OTHER, please specify, or expand on categories above if so desired:

27% 0

2

4

6

8

10

The majority of responses to question #5 regarding desired outcomes of the Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study include information (60%), resources (60%), benchmarking and goal setting (60%), data (47%), and community volunteers, events, and engagement (47%).

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 20

C. Benchmarking Research The following provides a summary of findings from the benchmarking research following the framework of A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability (Clark, et al. 1997). Variations in reported data may exist and more comprehensive research should be conducted when developing the update to the Urban Forest Management Strategy. For a complete listing of the benchmarking research matrix, see Appendix C.

Comparison Cities and Regions and Summary Statistics Table 6. Summary of cities and regions included in the benchmarking research (alphabetized order)

Nanaimo, BC

103,071

Population Density (people per square km) 1,129

Abbotsford, BC

165,138

439

Coquitlam, BC

176,000

1,439

Kelowna, BC

149,596

707

Richmond, BC

223,000

1,729

114,148

1,100

588,490

1,859

2,606,000

22,661

Victoria, BC

390,000

20,000

2014 Census (U.S. Western Region) 2014 Census (U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group)

176 cities

N/A

97 cities

N/A

City

Population

Saanich, BC Surrey, BC Vancouver, BC

Table 7. Comparison of city size, population, and distance to Nanaimo, BC (alphabetized order)

Size Difference (km2)

Population Difference

Distance to Nanaimo (km)

0

0

0

Abbotsford, BC

285

62,067

151

Coquitlam, BC

31

72,929

111

Kelowna, BC

120

46,525

525

Richmond, BC

38

119,929

107

Saanich, BC

12

11,077

108

225

485,419

114

Vancouver, BC

24

2,502,929

81

Victoria, BC

-72

286,929

111

2014 Census (U.S. Western Region)

34 (avg)

N/A

N/A

2014 Census (U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group)

98 (avg)

175,000

N/A

City Nanaimo, BC

Surrey, BC

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 21

Budget Comparisons Table 8. Comparison of urban forestry budgets and proportions (alphabetized order)

Budget per Budget per Public Street Capita Tree (2021) (2021)

2021 Urban Forestry Budget

% of Total City Budget (2021)

$690,000

0.37%

$137.42

$6.69

Abbotsford, BC

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Coquitlam, BC

$2,552,419

0.89%

$368.31

$14.50

Kelowna, BC

$2,585,000

1.03%

$109.00

$17.28

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

$620,000

0.48%

N/A

$5.43

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Vancouver, BC

$1,500,000

0.09%

$10.71

$0.58

Victoria, BC

$2,826,030

1.09%

$75.36

$7.25

U.S. Western Region

$985,160*

N/A

$56.55*

N/A

U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group

$1,996,808*

0.48%

$93.89*

$13.02*

City Nanaimo, BC

Richmond, BC Saanich, BC Surrey, BC

* Adjusted to 2021 Canadian Dollars

Urban Forest Resource Comparisons Table 9. Comparison of urban forestry statistics (alphabetized order)

City

Count of Inventoried Trees

Public Tree Parks & Open Inventory Space Software (Y/N) Hectares

Tree Canopy Cover

Nanaimo, BC

5,021

Yes

1,500 (2008)

28% (2006)

Abbotsford, BC

9,650

No

660

22% (2017)

Coquitlam, BC

6,930

No

N/A

40% (urban)

Kelowna, BC

23,716

Yes

N/A

23% (2019)

Richmond, BC

56,500

No

778

12% (2017)

N/A

No

820

36% (2005)

Surrey, BC

96,000

No

2,934

27% (2013)

Vancouver, BC

140,000

Yes

1,265

22% (2020)

37,500

Yes

254

28% (2019)

U.S. Western Region

21,171 (street)

N/A

258

25-35%

U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group

38,122 (street)

85% Yes

520

25%

Saanich, BC

Victoria, BC

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 22

Management of the Urban Forest Table 10. Comparison of urban forest agencies and responsibilities (alphabetized order)

City

Nanaimo, BC

Abbotsford, BC Coquitlam, BC

Kelowna, BC

Department

Division

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Parks Horticulture Section

Development Services

Parks, Recreation & Culture Parks, Recreation, Culture & Facilities Parks & Recreation

Development Engineering Environmental Protection Urban Forestry Section Parks Planning & Forestry Civic Operations Division

Public Tree Responsibility

City

City City

City

Park Services Richmond, BC Saanich, BC Surrey, BC

Vancouver, BC

Victoria, BC

U.S. Western Region

Parks

Parks

City

Parks

City

Parks

City

Urban Forestry Program

City

Parks

City

N/A

46% City 28% Property Owner 21% Jointly 6% Other

N/A

N/A

Parks, Recreation & Community Services Parks, Recreation & Culture Planning Urban Design Sustainability & Engineering Parks, Recreation & Facilities N/A 32% Streets / Transportation

U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group

28% Public Works 26% Forestry / Urban Forestry

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 23

Urban Forest Management Activities Table 11. Comparison of management activities (alphabetized order)

Public Trees Pruned per Year

Public Tree Pruning Cycle (years)

Nanaimo, BC

200

N/A

250

2010

Abbotsford, BC

N/A

N/A

600

2020

Coquitlam, BC

N/A

N/A

350

N/A

4,000

5.9

450

2011

N/A

N/A

N/A

2019

1,500

N/A

N/A

2010

Surrey, BC

N/A

5.0

5,000

2021

Vancouver, BC

N/A

N/A

15,000

2018

Victoria, BC

2,000

16.0

350

2013

U.S. Western Region

2,813

12.4

356

N/A

U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group

3,897

18.9

634

66% Yes

City

Kelowna, BC Richmond, BC Saanich, BC

Trees Urban Forest Planted per Management Year Plan/Strategy?

Community Framework Table 12. Comparison and summary of community engagement programs and activities (alphabetized order)

City Nanaimo, BC

Public Program, Activity, Resource Tree Voucher Program

Abbotsford, BC

N/A

Coquitlam, BC

Neighbourhood Tree Days Program

Kelowna, BC

NeighbourWoods

Richmond, BC Saanich, BC

N/A Partnership Tree Planting Program

Surrey, BC

Releaf Tree Planting

Vancouver, BC Victoria, BC U.S. Western Region U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group

Tree Vancouver Trees in Cities Challenge 364 volunteers annually 971 hours annually 251 volunteers annually 1,090 hours annually

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 24

Urban Forestry Policies Table 13. Comparison of urban forestry related policies and Bylaws (alphabetized order)

City

Protected Trees

Required Replacement

Securities

1:1 for <30cm 2:1 for 30-80cm 3:1 for >80cm or 100 trees per Ha 0:1 for <20cm 2:1 for 20-30cm 3:1 for >30cm Varies by lot size and number of trees removed

Species, diameter

$300 per replacement

Abbotsford, BC

Diameter

$300 per replacement

Coquitlam, BC

Diameter

$600 per replacement

Kelowna, BC

Diameter

125% of replacement value

2:1

Richmond, BC

Diameter

N/A

1:1 for Single-family 1:1 for other lots

Nanaimo, BC

Saanich, BC

Species, diameter, Significant Tree

$300-$700 per replacement depending on lot $300 or $600 depending on size

2:1 for private 3:1 for city projects

$10,000 per Significant Tree Surrey, BC

Diameter, species

2:1 $5,000 per Specimen Tree

Vancouver, BC

Victoria, BC

Diameter, replacements

$3,000 for other protected trees $500 or $750 depending on size $10,000 for Specimen Trees

1:1

Diameter

$2,500 for Protected Trees

1:1

$1,000 - $2,000 depending on size U.S. Western Region

N/A

N/A

N/A

U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group

N/A

N/A

N/A

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 25

Summary of Benchmarking Findings Table 6 Summary: Nanaimo’s estimated population in 2021 is 103,071 people and of the comparison cities or regions, Saanich has the most similar population size with 114,148 people.

Of the 10 comparison cities or regions, the population density varies but Saanich (1,100/km2) Coquitlam (1,439/km2), and Richmond (1,729/km2) have a similar density as Nanaimo (1,129/km2). For the regional studies, a total of 176 cities comprise the U.S. Western Region and 97 cities for the U.S. Population Group of 100,000 to 249,999 people.

Table 7 Summary: The comparison cities in British Columbia vary in city size (square kilometers) though Saanich is only 12 km2 greater than Nanaimo, and Vancouver and Coquitlam are greater than the size of Nanaimo by 24 and 31 km2, respectively. The population difference of comparison cities to Nanaimo ranges from 11,077 (Saanich) to 2.5 million (Vancouver) and the distance from Nanaimo range from 81 kilometers (Vancouver) to 525 kilometers (Kelowna).

The regional studies have an average size difference of 34 km2 for the U.S. Western Region and 98 km2 for the U.S. Population Group of 100,000 to 249,999 people.

Table 8 Summary: Nanaimo’s budget in 2021 for urban forestry was $690,000, similar to Saanich’s budget of $620,000. Urban forestry budgets range from $620,000 (Saanich) to $2.8 million (Victoria). Nanaimo’s budget makes up 0.37% of the total city budget. Proportions of urban forestry budgets to total city budgets range from 0.09% (Vancouver) to 1.09% (Victoria).

This equates to $137 per public street tree in Nanaimo and the comparison cities range from $11 (Vancouver) to $368 (Coquitlam). Evaluating the budget based on population, Nanaimo has $7 per capita allocated to urban forestry. Budgets per capita for the comparison cities range from $0.58 (Vancouver) to $17 (Kelowna). Compared to the regional studies, the U.S. Western Region had an average 2021 urban forestry budget of $985,160 and the 100,000 to 249,999 Population Group in the U.S. had a budget of $1,996,808. Across these regional studies, the average budget per public street tree is $56 for the Western Region and $94 for the population group. This equates to $13 budgeted per capita for the population group. It should be noted the budget figures for the comparison cities may not represent the entire structure for financing urban forest management and each city may report differently on its budget.

Table 9 Summary: Nanaimo has a total of 5,021 public trees inventoried in an online database.

The count of inventoried trees in the comparison cities ranges from 6,930 (Coquitlam) to 140,000 (Vancouver) trees. Kelowna, Vancouver, and Victoria have an online database or software program for managing their inventoried trees. The U.S. Western Region has an average of 21,171 street trees and the U.S. Population Group of 100,000 to 249,999 people has an average of 38,122 street trees.

Nanaimo has a total of 1,500 hectares of parks and open space as of 2008. For the comparison cities, the hectares of parks and open space ranges from 254 (Victoria) to 2,934 (Surrey) hectares. Nanaimo evaluated its total citywide tree canopy cover in 2006 and found it covers 28% of the City. Tree canopy cover assessments for the comparison cities were done in varying years ranging from 2005 (Saanich) to 2020 (Vancouver) and the percentages range from 12% (Richmond) to 40% (Coquitlam). Methods for doing the canopy assessments may also vary. For the U.S. Western Region, the average canopy cover ranges from 25-35% and the U.S. Population Group’s average canopy cover is 25%.

Table 10 Summary: Nanaimo’s urban forest is managed through the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department and the Development Services Department. Within these departments, Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 26

the Parks Horticulture Section, Development Engineering, and Environmental Protection are involved with urban forestry activities. It is the City’s responsibility to maintain public street trees. For the comparison cities, the majority manage the urban forest through the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Departments or similar. The division or section involved with urban forest management for these comparison cities vary. All comparison cities in the study are responsible for the maintenance of public street trees.

Table 11 Summary: Nanaimo prunes approximately 200 trees and plants 250 trees per year.

Annual tree pruning counts for the comparison cities range from 1,500 (Saanich) to 4,000 (Kelowna). The U.S. Western Region cities average 2,813 trees pruned per year and the U.S. Population Group averages 3,897 trees per year. Only Surrey, Kelowna, and Victoria have established a public tree pruning cycle with 5.0, 5.9, and 16.0 years, respectively. For the U.S. Western Region, the average is 12.4 years and the U.S. Population Group’s average is 18.9 years.

The number of trees planted per year ranges from 350 (Coquitlam and Victoria) to 15,000 (Vancouver). All comparison cities except for Coquitlam were found to have an urban forest management plan or strategy. The year in which they were created range from 2010 (Nanaimo and Saanich) to 2021 (Surrey). In the U.S. Population Group, 66% have a plan or strategy.

Table 12 Summary: Nanaimo has a Tree Voucher Program among other programs and activities to engage and educate the public. Six of the eight comparison cities have a public tree planting program and in the U.S. Western Region, public engagement averages 864 volunteers and 971 hours annually and in the U.S. Population Group, public engagement averages 251 volunteers and 1,090 hours annually.

Table 13 Summary: Nanaimo establishes criteria for protected trees based on species and diameter. All comparison cities use diameter as a criterion for protected trees. Nanaimo has a securities framework in place for replacement trees. The amount is $300 per replacement.

Security amounts for replacement trees for the comparison cities ranges from $300 (Abbotsford), $600 (Coquitlam), 125% of replacement value (Kelowna), and $300-$700 depending on lot (Saanich). In Surrey, the securities vary depending on the type of tree. For example, $300-$600 depending on size, $10,000 for Significant Trees, $5,000 per Specimen Tree, and $3,000 for protected trees. In Nanaimo, the requirement for the number of replacement trees is dependent on the size of the tree removed (1 tree for every tree <30cm removed; 2 trees for every tree 30-80cm removed; and 3 trees for every >80cm tree removed).

Most comparison cities have a 2:1 ratio for planting to trees removed (Kelowna, Surrey, and Saanich for private lots). In Abbotsford, the diameter ranges are lower than Nanaimo’s. For every tree less than 20cm no replacement tree is required but for every tree 20-30cm removed two trees are required and for trees >30cm removed, three trees are required.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 27

D. Urban Forest Audit (Gap Analysis) Urban Forest Audit The primary objectives of the audit are defined by the Urban Forest Audit System authors and adapted by the Study’s urban forestry consultants to engage the full spectrum of the organizations’ management team, provide program direction that increases the level of professionalism in management, conduct a gap analysis of management practices and the health of urban forests, provide strategic direction to improve the health of the urban forest, and optimize management for environmental justice and equitable distribution of resources.

The categories for evaluation are listed in the table below left (Table 15). Each category has a series of subcategories pertaining to the specific category. As an example, the subcategories listed on below right (Table 14) are in the Management Policy and Bylaws category: Table 15. Categories for evaluation using the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban Forest Audit System

1) Management Policy and Bylaws

Table 14. List of subcategories within the Management Policy and Bylaws category of the audit

→

2) Professional Capacity and Training 3) Funding and Accounting 4) Decision and Management Authority 5) Inventories 6) Urban Forest Management Plans 7) Risk Management 8) Disaster Planning 9) Standards and Best Management Practices 10) Community 11) Green Asset Evaluation (Observed Outcomes)

1.01) Climate Change (Sustainability) 1.02) No Net Loss 1.03) Risk Management 1.04) Tree Canopy Goals 1.05) Tree Protection 1.06) Utility 1.07) Human Health 1.08) Wildlife Diversity/Habitat/Protection 1.09) Performance Monitoring 1.10) Private Tree Policies/Bylaws 1.11) Public Tree Policies/Bylaws 1.12) Development Standards 1.13) High-Conservation Value Forests 1.14) Urban Interface (WUI)

Table 16. Outcomes of the urban forest audit completed in 2022 for Nanaimo’s Urban Forest Study

#

Category

1 Management Policy, Bylaws 2 Professional Capacity and Training 3 Funding and Accounting 4 Decision, Management Authority 5 Inventories 6 Urban Forest Management Plans 7 Risk Management 8 Disaster Planning 9 Standards and BMPs*** 10 Community 11 Green Asset Evaluation TOTAL

SOC* (% Achieved) 50% 83% 75% 75% NA NA 58% NA 75% 100% NA 74%

Base** (% Achieved) 33% NA NA 50% 19% 58% 0% 50% 75% NA NA 41%

Overall Rating 17 8 3 5 5 12 11 6 45 17 6 135

Overall (% Achieved) 61% 50% 25% 63% 19% 50% 61% 43% 75% 61% 30% 53%

*Standard of Care (SOC) elements represent the minimum group of urban forestry management “best practices” that a municipality should consider for implementation. SOC refers to the degree of prudence and caution required of an individual who is under a duty of care (i.e., legal obligation of the controlling authority, owner, or manager) to minimize risk. Neither province, regional, nor national minimum management components have been established for SOC but these are interim recommendations for consideration. (NA = not applicable) **Base Practices (BP) elements represent additional urban forest management activities or components that may effectively expand a program beyond the SOC group (see footnote above). These elements are typically precursors to other “non-core” elements in the category. (NA = not applicable) ***Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 28

61%

1) Management Policy and Bylaws

50%

2) Professional Capacity and Training 3) Funding Accounting

25%

4) Decision and Management Authority 5) Inventories

63%

19% 50%

6) Urban Forest Management Plans 7) Risk Management 8) Disaster Planning

61% 43% 75%

9) Standards and Best Practices 10) Community

61%

11) Green Asset Evaluation 30% Figure 4. Summary of the 2022 Urban Forest Audit for Nanaimo's Study

Urban Forest Audit Summary of Findings Based on the evaluation of 11 categories within the audit, Nanaimo scored a 53% out of 100%.

Nanaimo’s strengths according to the audit exist within the Standards and Best Management Practices with a score of 75% followed by Decision and Management Authority (63%), Management Policy and Bylaws (61%), Risk Management (61%), and Community (61%). The lowest ranking categories include Inventories (19%), Funding and Accounting (25%), Green Asset Evaluation (30%), and Disaster Planning (43%) (Figure 4). Across the 130 elements evaluated, 74% of the Standard of Care elements and 41% of the Base Practices are addressed with the City’s current program (Table 16).

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 29

Criteria and Indicators for Strategic Urban Forest Planning and Management The following provides a summary of the status of Nanaimo’s performance indicators for each of the criteria within the Vegetation Resource (the trees), the Resource Management (the programs), the Community Framework (the people), and the Institutional Framework (the agencies and policies). Cells in bold font and a dark shade of blue or gray indicate the current status or performance indicator ranking for the respective criterion.

Vegetation (Urban Forest) Resource – Performance Indicators Low Moderate Good Optimal V1 Fewer than five No species No species No species Tree species species represents more represents more represent more diversity dominate the than 20% of the than 15% of the than 10% of the entire tree entire tree entire tree entire tree population population population population citywide, or citywide citywide citywide unknown V2 1 of 6 DBH ranges 2 of 6 DBH 4 of the 6 DBH 6 of the 6 DBH Diameter match the ranges match the ranges match the ranges match the distribution of McPherson Ideal McPherson Ideal McPherson Ideal McPherson Ideal trees in the Distribution % Distribution % Distribution % Distribution % City (+/- 2%), or (+/- 2%) (+/- 2%) (+/- 2%) unknown V3 Less than 30% of 31 - 60% of trees 61 - 85% of trees Greater than 85% Street and trees rates as rated as good rated as good of trees rated as park tree good health health condition health condition good health health condition, or condition (includes pest unknown and disease) Criteria

V4 Planting and stocking levels

V5 Climate change resiliency

Current State Summary

No planting of street trees.

Abundant vacant planting sites, or unknown

Less than 50% of public trees are of species considered suitable for the City, or unknown 5

Key Objective Establish a diverse and resilient tree population citywide

Provide for uneven aged distribution citywide

Healthy trees live longer, produce greater number of benefits and reduce costs associated with maintenance 10% of 50-75% of 100% of Addition of trees inventoried inventoried inventoried ad value, planting sites are planting sites are planting site are benefits and planted planted planted improved function. Should be based on an inventory of planting sites along, within, or adjacent to street rights-ofway 50%-75% of trees More than 75% of At least 90% of Establish a tree are of species trees are of the population considered species trees are of suitable for the suitable for the considered species City’s urban City suitable for the considered environment City suitable for the and resilient to City climate change 0

0

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

0

Apr2022

Total: 5

Page | 30

Criteria R1 Urban forest management plan

R2 Citywide funding

R3 City urban forestry staffing

R4 Management of publicly and privatelyowned natural areas

Resource Management – Performance Indicators Low Moderate Good Optimal Existing urban Comprehensive Strategic multi- A comprehensive forest plan for publicly tiered plan for urban forest management owned and public and management plan plan limited in managed urban private urban for private and scope and forest resources forest resources public property is implementation are accepted is accepted and accepted and and implemented implemented with implemented with adaptive adaptive management management mechanisms mechanisms Funding for Consistent Consistent Diverse and reactive funding for funding to sustained funding management partial proactive provide for net to maximize urban management increase in forest benefits, City urban forest services, and benefits increased tree canopy cover

No training for urban forestry staff

Certified arborist Certified Multi-disciplinary on staff with arborist and professional team regular professional within the urban professional forester on staff forestry unit development with regular professional development and support No information Publicly- and Ecosystem The ecological about publicly- privately-owned structure and structure and or privatelynatural areas are function in function of all owned natural identified in a publicly- and publicly- and areas generalized privately-owned privately-owned “natural area natural areas is natural areas are survey” or documented documented and similar used in making document management decisions

R5 Urban forest protection policy development and enforcement

No urban forest Policies in place Policies in place protection policy to protect public to protect portion of the public and urban forest private portions of the urban forest with enforcement

Integrated city wide policies that ensure the protection of the urban forest on both public and private land and are consistently enforced and supported Complete Complete Complete inventory inventory of inventory of of the urban forest publicly-owned publicly-owned resource trees trees and sample of privately-owned urban forest

R6 Urban forest inventory public-private

Sample-based or partial inventory of publicly-owned trees

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Key Objective A comprehensive urban forest management plan for private and public property is integrated into plans for sustainability Develop and maintain adequate and consistent funding to implement an urban forest management plan Employ and train adequate professional staff to implement a citywide urban forest management plan Management decisions are based upon a detailed understanding of the ecological structure and function of all publicly- and privately-owned natural areas The benefits derived from the urban forest are ensured by the implementation and enforcement of the urban forest management plan Complete inventory of the urban forest resource to direct its management, included age distribution, species mix, tree condition, and assessment

Page | 31

Criteria R7 Tree planting and establishment on public and private land

R8 High risk tree maintenance

Resource Management – Performance Indicators Low Moderate Good Optimal Tree planting is Tree Tree Tree planting and responsive and establishment is establishment is establishment establishment / directed by directed by program are driven post-planting needs derived needs derived by the UFMP care is ad hoc from a tree from a tree objectives for inventory inventory and is canopy cover, sufficient to equity, species meet canopy diversity, and cover objectives species distribution objectives to ensure urban forest sustainability Highest priority All high priority All high priority Proactive mature removals only removals and removals and tree care (lightning are addressed some most protection, cabling, within 5 years of immediate immediate etc.) is conducted notice pruning is pruning is and risk is greatly addressed addressed reduced and within 2 years of within 2 months minimized after notice of notice storm events

R9 Public tree condition assessment and abatement citywide

The condition of the urban forest is unknown

No citywide Complete public public tree tree condition inventory assessment/ including tree remediation risk information. program.

Request-based/ Request reactive risk based/reactive abatement system program system. Use of work order software

R10 Routine public tree pruning

One-tenth of large trees are pruned on a 5year rotation, or unknown public tree population and cycle / rotation No young tree training

R11 Young public tree maintenance

Key Objective Tree planting and establishment is directed by objective criteria set in an urban forest management plan

Maintain public safety and the longevity of the trees and the reputation of the urban forest program

Inventory of public trees includes detailed tree risk ratings; risk abatement program is in effect eliminating hazards using a work order software

All recognizable hazards of publicly-managed trees are minimized to the greatest extent possible

One-eighth of large trees are pruned on a 5year rotation

One-fifth of One-third of large large trees are trees are pruned on pruned on a 5a 5-year rotation year rotation

Improve tree health, longevity, public safety, and clearance conflicts

One-fifth of small trees are training pruned.

Newly planted trees are training pruned within 10 years of planting

One-third of One-half of small small trees are trees are training training pruned. pruned. Newly Newly planted planted trees are trees are training pruned at 3 training pruned years of planting at 3-4 years of planting

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Improve the structure trees at an early age to reduce future maintenance costs and issues

Page | 32

Criteria R12 Tree pest and disease management

R13 Tree site suitability

R14 Invasive plant species management

R15 Public tree condition assessment and abatement along emergency / evacuation routes R16 Canopy assessment and canopy goals

R17 Tree preservation best practices

Current State Summary

Resource Management – Performance Indicators Low Moderate Good Optimal No pest An inventory of Tree pest and Tree pest and management is public trees disease disease plan is in place identifies management implemented, and susceptibility, plan is susceptibility of reactive developed public urban forest management is reduced conducted Tree species are Guidelines are in Public trees are All trees are planted considered in place for the planted in sites in sites that will planting site selection of with adequate maximize current selection suitable species soil quality and and future benefits. to meet specific quantity, and City implements site criteria. Best growing space alternative solutions practices and to achieve their to tree and industry growth and sidewalk conflicts standards are in form potential. place Private owners are provided science-based standards Recognition of invasive species

Recognition of Invasive invasive species, species are are actively recognized, discouraged and managed, and voluntary control their use is on private and prohibited public lands The condition of No tree Sample-based trees along condition tree inventory emergency assessment/ including evacuation remediation general tree risk routes is program along information unknown emergency along routes. Request emergency/ based/reactive evacuation system routes. Risk abatement is not systematic No canopy High-resolution High-resolution assessment or a canopy canopy low-resolution assessment is assessment and canopy completed but goals are assessment (e.g., no goals are set completed and i-Canopy) is the existing completed but canopy cover no goals are set equals 25-50% of the goal No standards or Standards in Standards and best practices in place but best practices place outdated and are in place and little adherence city forester is and contacted to enforcement oversee site plan 4

10

3

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Key Objective Plan and manage ash trees to reduce sudden widespread mortality Management of urban forest will become more efficient and effective in producing environmental, social, and economic benefits

Invasive plant species management plans are developed and implemented for public and private lands Complete tree inventory which includes detailed tree failure risk ratings; risk abatement program is in effect eliminating hazards along emergency/ evacuation routes

Elimination of invasive plant species that provide less benefit and compete with native vegetation Emergency and evacuation routes will be clear during the on-set of storms and will require minimal clearing of woody debris following a storm event

High-resolution canopy assessment and goals are completed and the existing canopy cover equals 5075% of the goal

Understand canopy cover distribution citywide and set goals to increase canopy

City forester is included in the design, placement, and construction or repair of structures and utilities

Street trees near any excavation, demolition, or construction of any building, structure, or utility are preserved or protected

0

Total: 17

Apr2022

Page | 33

Criteria C1 General awareness of the urban forest as a community resource

C2 Neighborhood cooperation

Community Framework – Performance Indicators Low Moderate Good Optimal Urban forest Urban forest Urban forest Urban forest seen as a seen as acknowledged recognized as vital community important to the as providing to the community’s problem community environmental, environmental, social, and social, and economical economic well services being

Majority of Isolated or Majority of neighborhoods limited neighborhood are unfamiliar number of active Associations or with the urban neighborhood similar form forestry groups partnerships program with city government to support the urban forest

All neighborhoods associations or similar form partnerships with city government to support the urban forest and implement an urban forest management plan

Key Objective The general public understands the importance of the urban forest to the community

At the neighborhood level, citizens understand and cooperate in urban forest management

C3 Citizen, municipal, business, commuter interaction

No interaction among constituencies

Some interaction Informal and/or Formal interaction among general with staff constituencies, cooperation coordination with conflicting goals

All constituencies in the community interact for the benefit from the urban forest

C4 Support by private land holders

Unfamiliar with issues

Educational Clear goals for Landholders materials and tree resources develop advice available by landholders. comprehensive tree to landholders Incentives for management plans protection and (including funding) management of private trees

Private landholders embrace citywide goals and objectives of the urban forest, guided by an urban forest management plan

Current State Summary

1

2

1

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

0

Apr2022

Total: 4

Page | 34

Criteria I1 City public agency cooperation

I2 Design and development industry and other government agency cooperation

Institutional Framework – Performance Indicators Low Moderate Good Optimal Conflicting Urban forest Departments Municipal processes management and/or agencies standards in place among processes are are functioning for implementing departments held in common and the urban forest and or agencies but implementing management plan that are improvement in processes by inconsistent with cooperation consistent with interdepartmental/ the urban forest among an urban forest interagency management departments management processes on all and/or agencies plan on a municipal projects is needed project specific basis

Unfamiliar with Recognition and issues acceptance of issues

I3 No cooperation General Landscape and among cooperation arboriculture segments of the among industry green industry. nurseries, tree cooperation No adherence to care companies, professional etc. standards and ethics

I4 Cooperation within the geographic region

Current State Summary

Government and Government planning and planning agencies operate agencies share independently similar policy vehicles

0

4

Implement Implement design design and construction and objectives that construction exceed urban forest objectives management plan consistent with objectives and an urban forest support citywide management green infrastructure plan

Key Objective Ensure all city departments cooperate with goals and objectives of an urban forest management plan

Design and development industries, and other government agencies embrace citywide urban forest management plan goals and objectives

Specific cooperative arrangements with the city and partners

Shared vision and goals including the use of professional standards and ethics

The landscape and arboriculture industries operate with high professional standards and ethics, and commits to citywide urban forest management plan goals and objectives

Regional planning is in effect

Regional natural resource comprehensive planning is coordinated

Cooperation and interaction among neighboring regional planning agencies and governments to support forest sustainability throughout the region

0

0

Total: 4

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 35

Summary of Nanaimo’s Criteria and Indicator Status The following summarizes the Criteria & Indicators and identifies Nanaimo’s placement on the spectrum.

The Urban Forest Sustainability and Management Spectrum Category

Spectrum Level:

Nanaimo

Low

Moderate

Good

Optimal

Total

The Urban Forest (“Vegetation Resource”)

5

0

0

0

5

Management of the Urban Forest (“Resource Management”)

4

10

3

0

17

Community & the Urban Forest (“Community Framework”)

1

2

1

0

4

Agencies & the Urban Forest (“Institutional Framework”)

0

4

0

0

4

Total

10

16

4

0

30

Using the Criteria and Indicators for Strategic Urban Forest Planning and Management (Kenney, et al. 2011) and the findings from the Study completed in 2022, Nanaimo’s urban forest, its programs, and frameworks for community and agencies ranks as “Moderate”. A total of 16 indicators were recorded as “Moderate” and 10 indicators were recorded as “Low”. Only 4 indicators were recorded as “Good”, and no indicators met the “Optimal” level at the time of the Study. Specific to the urban forest (“Vegetation Resource”), all indicators were recorded as “Low”. For the urban forestry programs (“Resource Management”), 59% were recorded as “Moderate”. The majority of the community (“Community Framework”) indicators were recorded as “Moderate” and for the agencies (“Institutional Framework”), all indicators were recorded as “Moderate”.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 36

Vibrant Cities Lab’s Community Assessment and Goal-Setting Tool A total of nine sections or categories containing a total of 28 elements were evaluated using the Vibrant Cities Lab’s (VCL) Community Assessment and Goal-Setting Tool. Based on the inputs by the urban forestry consultant, Nanaimo has a Gap Score of 87 meaning the City’s current standing is at 24 points of the total 111-point goal.

Table 17. Summary of the Vibrant Cities Lab’s assessment of Nanaimo’s urban forest

SECTION

CURRENT GOAL

DIFFERENCE (absolute)

% TO GOAL

Measure Your Current Tree Canopy and Set Goals

-1

4

5

-25%

Urban Forest Inventory and Assessment

0

8

8

0%

Know What's Happening to Trees in Your Community

2

12

10

17%

Urban Forest Characteristics

1

8

7

13%

Engaging Peers and Residents in Process

2

16

14

13%

Creating Essential, Effective Public/Private Partnerships

4

11

7

36%

Resource Management: Planning

4

12

8

33%

Resource Management: Implementation

8

24

16

33%

Resource Management: Monitoring and Maintenance

4

16

12

25%

FINAL SCORE

TOTAL CURRENT

TOTAL GOAL

SCORE GAP

24

111

87

According to the evaluation, Nanaimo has the most improvement to make in the “Measure Your Current Tree Canopy and Set Goals” category with -25% attainment currently. Following this category is the “Urban Forest Inventory and Assessment” category where Nanaimo is currently at 0% attainment. Addressing “Resource Management: Implementation” may require the greatest amount of effort given 16 points are needed to attain goal level. Of all the categories, Nanaimo is closest to achieving goal level in the “Creating Essential, Effective Public / Private Partnerships” category with 36% attainment to goal level.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 37

4.0 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS A. Overview To identify the baseline conditions of Nanaimo’s urban forest and the opportunities to enhance urban forest management, sustainability, and equity, a systematic evaluation was completed using various industry models and frameworks. As a result, the City can utilize the assessment and findings to support new or existing programs and efforts.

Trees and urban forests provide environmental, ecological, economic, and social benefits to people living in urban and suburban areas. Urban forests and community health are inextricably linked; the better an urban forest, the greater a community’s health. A community that is engaged with its urban forest will responsibly plant, care for, and nurture its trees, while inspiring others to do the same. This energy and shared commitment will in turn support the City’s urban forest management program. A thriving urban forest is only possible through a civic commitment and partnerships shared by all. To responsibly care for and grow an equitable urban forest while maintaining public health and smart development, the City allocated funding to systematically evaluate the current conditions of its urban forest and the programs that manage it.

B. Discussion The City is positioned to strengthen urban forest management with its foundation of policies and Bylaws, existing City plans and studies, levels of service, and a community framework that supports its efforts. The multitude of goals and policies throughout City resources and plans that reference or influence Nanaimo’s urban forest indicates the City’s readiness for improvements to the urban forest that are guided by an updated Urban Forest Management Strategy.

There is community support to enhance urban forest management in the City. In a 2008 study, most of the survey respondents feel the number of trees in the City has declined and the primary concern around trees is the damage from falling branches. From the same study, nearly three quarters of the survey respondents feel the City should place emphasis on ensuring trees are retained in new developments. Respondents also support protecting significant heritage trees, risk tree assessments, and tree Bylaw compliance.

Strengthening urban forestry efforts is also supported by staff involved with trees in the City.

Staff from various City departments shared existing workflows, challenges, and priorities that may be addressed with an updated Strategy. Generally, staff are looking for guidance and strategies relating to tree maintenance, staffing, funding, sustainability, tree canopy expansion, community tree stewardship, and tree Bylaw compliance and enforcement.

The benchmarking research and auditing (gap analysis) tasks uncovered Nanaimo’s current conditions and established metrics to measure progress towards optimal levels of urban forest management. An updated Strategy that lays out recommendations regarding inventories, assessments, funding, program efficiencies, data management, tree species and age diversity, canopy goals, planting priorities and strategies, risk tree management, proactive pruning, pest and disease management, partnerships, community engagement, and internal communications and cooperation will raise Nanaimo’s rankings within the 2022 evaluations and bring the City to a higher level of urban forest management, sustainability, and equity.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 38

C. Recommendations Based on the research, staff interviews, benchmarking, and urban forest evaluations, the following recommendations should be considered.

Table 18. Summary of recommended actions

#

Theme

Recommended Action

Timing

1

2

Plan

Review the findings and recommendations provided in the 2022 Study.

PreReview the Study to fully capture Strategy the current conditions.

Update

Plan

Establish an urban forestry working group to prioritize and implement the Study’s actions.

PreAdjust priorities based on current Strategy conditions and resources.

Update

Review and update the status of the UFMS modules using the 3 Evaluate framework provided in the Study.

4

Share

5

Plan

Key Considerations

PreEvaluating and tracking progress Strategy informs updates to the Strategy.

Update

Summarize the Study’s findings and distribute to City staff, stakeholders, and the community.

Communication is essential to Preestablishing a shared vision and Strategy achieving shared goals. It also Update supports transparency.

Develop a road map for updating the UFMS.

PreLay out the steps and tasks Strategy necessary to update the Strategy.

Update

6

Provide priorities to department managers and boards involved Budget with budget planning. Consider grant sources.

7

Assess

Complete a comprehensive inventory of public street and park trees.

PreAn inventory provides Strategy information to develop the Update updated Strategy.

Assess

Analyze the associated benefits and services provided by the public tree population.

The findings from this analysis Precan be incorporated into Strategy planning and messaging to foster Update support.

8

Use the road map and urban Preforestry working group to Strategy establish priorities, costs, and Update methods for funding.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 39

Table 18 continued

#

9

10

11

Theme

Recommended Action

Timing

Assess

Complete a high-resolution urban tree canopy assessment.

Analysis of the Citywide urban Pretree canopy cover and Strategy opportunities for canopy Update expansion will inform the Strategy update.

Share

Communicate the findings of the public tree inventory and canopy assessment.

Providing a current state of the Preurban forest raises awareness and Strategy builds support for urban forestry Update efforts.

Identify and coordinate with organizations, neighborhood Partner groups, and regional partners that can utilize the canopy data and support an updated UFMS.

Identifying partnerships increases Precapacity and resources to Strategy develop and implement an Update updated Strategy.

Gather viewpoints and Preperceptions from the public and 12 Engage Strategy stakeholders regarding urban Update forest management.

13

14

15

Key Considerations

Using input from the public can help build the case for new studies, programs, funding, and plans.

Plan

Prepare for an update to the UFMS by identifying the scope, project team, budgets, timing, desired outcomes, and process.

The City must plan for a plan in Strategy order to meet the needs of the Update program, the people, and the urban forest.

Plan

Complete the UFMS update.

Integrate Report and UFMS recommendations into the Reimagine Nanaimo process.

Develop a living document that Strategy provides a road map for urban Update forest sustainability, management, and equity.

Communicate the results and next steps of the UFMS update with City departments, stakeholders, and the public.

PostShare the results and next steps Strategy of the Strategy to encourage Update participation and incite action.

Share

Track implementation of the UFMS update and adjust 16 Monitor strategies according to the changing environment and resources.

A long-lasting strategy requires Postadaptive management through Strategy effective monitoring, evaluation, Update and adjustments.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 40

D. Call to Action Urban trees can play a significant role in making cities resilient to weather and climate extremes, and in protecting human and ecosystem health and safety. To do so, trees must be consciously selected, planted, and managed as the central component of an urban forest where individual trees are maintained as part of a greater system with the purpose of improving the urban environment and enhancing the benefits of that ecosystem. Urban forests face unprecedented challenges in a warming environment with ever expanding development needs. This Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study is an important piece of that larger mission and should be utilized to launch new initiatives, programs, and studies that enhance the urban forest for current and future generations. All community stakeholders should be involved in bringing this to fruition and safeguarding the future of trees in Nanaimo’s neighborhoods.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | 41

APPENDICES Appendix A. 2010 Urban Forest Management Strategy Goals and Objectives

B

Appendix B. Alignment of Existing City Plans

H

Appendix C. Complete Benchmarking Research Matrix

N

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | A

APPENDIX A. 2010 URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Module 1: Education and Outreach – Staff and public education and community outreach based on the values and management of the urban forest.

Goal: To raise public awareness of the benefits, health and maintenance of trees and vegetation in Nanaimo.

Objectives 1) Communication Plan and Outreach Strategy, a. Identify target audiences and partners: community groups, Snuneymuxw First Nation, schools, business managers. b. Develop communication “tools” to deliver the message of the importance of tree health within the context of forest ecology. c. Identify the most effective means to deliver the message to residents in Nanaimo. d. Develop a funding strategy to support a public education program. e. Work with School District #68 and organizations such as Evergreen Canada and the International Society of Arboriculture to deliver educational programs in City Schools and throughout the community. f. Establish a means for public feedback to allow for adjustments to the program to maintain effectiveness and relevance.

2) Inform the Public on the Management and Care of the Urban Forest a. Utilize social marketing techniques when communicating components of the Strategy. b. Ensure information about Nanaimo’s urban forest is available on the City’s website. c. Provide information on identifying and managing invasive species for private homeowners and parks volunteers. Coordinate and develop partnerships with similar organizations, such as the Coastal Invasive Plant Committee. d. Expand educational interpretive signs to other public spaces aside from nature parks. e. Establish a training workshop program for contractors, parks volunteers and interested residents on tree and vegetation management (beyond invasive species control).

Module 2: Parks and Natural Areas Management – Natural areas management based on discussions with City staff; including options for preserving intact or recoverable Coastal Douglas fir and Garry oak ecosystems.

Goal: To maintain and expand the forested character of Nanaimo by preserving wildlife habitat, parks and greenway corridors with policies relating to tree retention, replanting and pre-planting in newly-developed areas.

Objectives 1) Develop a forest management / natural areas plan for each City park…

2) The City will explore partnership opportunities with Snuneymuxw First Nation in comanaging culturally significant natural landscapes (Garry oak meadow areas) within the City’s parkland.

3) The City will work to enhance forest biodiversity when replacing trees in City parks.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | B

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

a. Replacement trees and shrubs in natural areas need to include native plantings within the replanted stands. i.

Include native vegetation to all tree planting plans in natural areas. ii.

Arrange trees in natural groupings and clusters characteristic of natural settings. b. Trees and plants to be planted in natural areas will be native to Nanaimo and the CDFmm biogeoclimatic zone. i.

If it is not possible to use native plant material, plant material that is similar in appearance, growth habitat, colour and texture to the native plants in the area and which will not be invasive to the natural environment, will be considered. c. On forested steep slopes, trees strands will be retained that represent a range of ages to provide for natural succession and the long-term sustainability of the forest ecosystem. The minimum size of these stands will be determined at a later date. d. Trees and shrubs will be planted in masses and patterns characteristic of a natural setting and with the intent of encouraging biodiversity while balancing concerns for public safety and fire hazards.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas a. All modifications to trees in recognized environmentally-sensitive areas must be in accordance with the Watercourse Bylaw, the Tree Protection Bylaw, the Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit Area and the Steep Slope Development Permit Area Guidelines where applicable. b. A review of the current ESA development permit area will be carried out to consider if other natural areas need to be included within the development permit area (i.e., significant Coastal Douglas fir sites).

Vegetation Buffers Adjacent to Agricultural Lands a. On lands adjacent to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), vegetation buffers need to be incorporated into designs for development applications. These buffers should conform to the Agricultural Land Commission’s Landscape Buffer Specifications Climate Change a. Review all approved tree and landscaping species lists and make any necessary adjustments in order to fully consider expected climate change impacts. b. Work with Current Planning staff to revise Development Permit Area 9 (Form and Character) to include greater direction on protecting existing natural landscapes on lands to be developed. c. Provide public awareness on the values of trees as natural insulators for buildings which reduce energy consumption. Older trees on site act as carbon sinks and, therefore, have greater value in place in dealing with climate change impacts.

Significant Forests a. The City will seek to protect lands that possess significant environmental urban forest for both conservation and recreational value (e.g., wildlife corridors). b. The City will work to acquire significant urban forest stands, as opposed to individual trees, as part of a rezoning or during the subdivision approval of land.

Greenways a. The City will strive to create an interconnected greenway network that includes, but is not limited to, the following current and potential greenways…

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | C

Module 3: Street / Boulevard Trees and Landscaping – Designing, planting and maintenance of trees and surrounding landscaping.

Goal: Maintain attractive and visually appealing urban street trees and landscaping along the City of Nanaimo’s boulevards and street network. This is to be done in a cost effective manner that maintains public safety and effectively integrates tree / vegetation management with other City infrastructure and includes public involvement.

Objectives 1) Develop a mechanism to clarify responsibility for the maintenance of the boulevard, street and median trees and vegetation between the City and private landowners. a. Identify candidate streets for future tree planting programs. Work with City neighbourhood associations to help identify the sites and generate interest in planting / maintaining street trees. Promote the Volunteers in Parks Program as a mechanism to connect local volunteers with local urban forestry projects. b. Identify and replace old, damaged, or unhealthy trees. Draft a regulation that outlines responsibilities for the development and maintenance of boulevard trees, shrubs and other vegetation.

2) Include restrictions on certain tree species / types in the City of Nanaimo’s Tree Management and Protection Bylaw in order to minimize potential damage to City infrastructure 3) Create a street landscape plan that identifies vegetation suitable for specific regions of Nanaimo, including urban nodes and corridors for transportation and wildlife. a. Identify ways to integrate natural habitat into development design to mimic habitat from wildlife corridors as part of development applications (i.e., landscaping requirements in DPA 9). b. Identify opportunities to incorporate edible landscapes and fruit-bearing trees into the public space through the Volunteers in Parks program. c. Develop a tree management plan for major boulevards / corridors. d. Create an inventory of all boulevard, street and median trees in Nanaimo. e. Remove any invasive species from the tree planting specification list. f. Ensure ongoing maintenance of trees, tree replacement and budgeting.

Module 4: Site Specific Tree Removal and Replacement – Designing, planting, maintenance, and replacement of trees and surrounding landscaping.

Goal: To increase the tree canopy coverage in the City of Nanaimo.

1) Set realistic and defensible targets to increase the City’s tree canopy.

2) Integrate the City’s tree planting program into the City’s Climate Change Plan by determining the level of carbon sequestration in the City’s urban forest and using these levels as a tool in determining tree removal and replacement.

3) Revise current methods for assessing hazardous trees. a. Reduce the presence of hazardous trees in the urban forest landscape. b. Recognize the distinction and value of wildlife and food-bearing trees in natural areas and within the riparian habitat. c. Remove invasive species that may be compounding a hazard tree situation.

4) Identify the principles for the management of requests of specific tree removal. a. Provide a system outlining the health of the tree in relation to the point at which it should be removed Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | D

b. Improve coordination and communication of tree removal from utilities (i.e., BC Hydro). Provide better notice and understanding of the reasons for the removals.

5) Provide a regulation for tree replacement and removal. a. Determine eligibility guidelines for tree removal in this Strategy and in the Tree Protection Bylaw, including: i. size; ii. damage; iii. disease; iv. traffic visibility; v. hydro and power; vi. issues which can be reduced though Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED); and vii. fish, wildlife use and aesthetics. b. Determine an equal replacement ratio according to: i. size: ii. species; and iii. location.

6) Establish interdepartmental standard operating procedures regarding roles and responsibilities for nuisance tree and hazardous tree management. When removal is necessary, a replanting program is required.

Module 5: Property Value: Views and Privacy – Public value of views and privacy and their effect on the trees in the surrounding area.

Goal: To reduce the incidence of pruning, topping and complete removal of trees solely for view purposes.

Objectives 1) Educate the community on the value of having and maintaining healthy trees in the City. a. Have a presentation in an open house on the influence of trees on property value.

2) Provide education on proper techniques of tree pruning. a. Provide educational pieces in both web-based form and print-based form.

3) Reduce the frequency of tree removal solely for the purpose of obtaining a view. a. Add a section preventing tree removal of non-hazardous trees for the purpose of creating a view in the Tree Protection Bylaw.

4) Develop an incentive program for planting appropriate trees on private land. a. Reduce the amount of required parking in exchange for the preservation of existing vegetation or an increase in the tree-save area that goes beyond a required standard. b. Provide credit (based on DBH) for preserving stands of trees (such as heritage trees) to meet landscaping requirements. Consider offering bonus percentages for preserving existing vegetation. The bonus would apply to the total percentage of landscaping required on a site after disturbance.

Module 6: Wild Fire Interface – Wild Fire Interface management based on initial discussions with City staff and others.

Goal: To reduce the threat of preventable forest fires within the City of Nanaimo while balancing other management considerations.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | E

Objectives 1) Maintain an up-to-date assessment of the wildland / interface risk within the community. a. Every two years update the community wildland / interface fire risk map. b. Ensure the wildfire risk is identified by a registered professional forester in new developments in forested areas. c. Provide a fire-smart home and site hazard assessment system for residents in interface areas.

2) Continue to mitigate the interface fire threat by the thoughtful use of community planning tools. a. Review Development Permit Area 9 (Form and Character) and 5 (Steep Slopes) and make adjustments to consider the interface fire threat when addressing sighting, form, exterior design and finish of buildings and structures. Also, establish restrictions on the type and placement of trees and other vegetation. Strive to balance ecological / aesthetic considerations with public safety. b. Ensure the provision for fire-protection characteristics and roads suitable for the safe movement of heavy fire-fighting equipment.

3) Create conditions on existing properties that reduce the impact of potential wildland / interface fires and reduce the loss, damage or injury from wildfire. a. Encourage individual property owners to embrace Fire Smart principles by thinning, pruning and removing trees, branches and deadfall that can fuel a fire, as well as upgrading building materials, such as non-flammable roofing, siding and thermal pane windows. b. Develop and implement a fuel management plan in buffer areas to City parks and adjoining private properties to reduce the hazard in high risk parks. c. Establish partnerships for fuel management strategies around utilities, such as hydro, communication towers, reservoirs and pump stations.

4) Ensure an effective emergency response to fires in the interface and forested areas. a. Maintain Fire Rescue Department resources to provide a rapid response to wildfires. b. Provide and maintain specialized wildland firefighting equipment. c. Ensure that the emergency program maintains an emergency plan for wildfires.

Module 7: Planning and Enforcement – Planning review of development applications for conformance to existing tree Bylaws. Bylaw modifications will help to make the Tree Protection Bylaw protective of a wider span of trees.

Goal: To create a tree protection bylaw with a high compliance rate through updated policies, incentives and penalties.

Objectives 1) Complete a revision and update of the current Tree Protection Bylaw (1993).

2) Lower the frequency of bylaw offences by: a. Increasing penalty fees set in the Tree Protection Bylaw by up to 100 percent. b. Developing a tree removal policy for street, private and natural area trees. c. Increasing the re-planting level of trees that have been removed according to tree significance, species and size.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | F

d. Providing an incentive to those who do comply with the regulations. More effectively promote the use of conservation covenants with private landowners as a protection and incentive tool.

3) To ensure that the bylaws are being followed: a. Frequently check building sites, especially those that have covenanted areas to ensure compliance. b. Maintain community outreach on the role of the bylaw, including how it can and cannot be applied in the community. c. Create a tree inventory and census of each neighbourhood for comparison use.

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | G

APPENDIX B. ALIGNMENT OF EXISTING CITY PLANS As part of the research, potential or existing instances were noted where the urban forest could support goals, policies, and strategies within these resources. The following provides a summary of this alignment. For a full summary, view the “City Plans Commonalities Jan2022” document provided as part of this Study.

Table 19. Summary of the commonalities among City plans and resources relating to the urban forest

Resource

Official Community Plan, 2008 Shared/Relevant Goals: 7 Shared/Relevant Objectives: 28

Relevant Goal, Policy, Strategy, Other Goal One: Manage Urban Growth • Objective: To Protect the Environment Goal Two: Build a More Sustainable Community • 2.1 Urban Nodes Objectives: Focused Urban Growth, Recognize Unique Characteristics of Each Node, Provide Public Places and Spaces, Protect and Enhance the Environment, Reduce Consumption and Promote Conservation • 2.2 Corridors and Commercial Centres Objectives: Provide Public Places and Spaces, Protect the Environment • 2.3 Neighbourhoods Objectives: Maintain the Character and Livability of Existing Neighbourhoods, Maintain the Viability of Existing Older Neighbourhoods, Protect the Environment, Build Community Spirit and Cohesion • 2.4 Industrial Objectives: Protect the Environment • 2.5 Light Industrial Objectives: Protect the Environment • 2.6 Urban Reserve Objectives: Contribute to a Sustainable Community • 2.7 Resource Protection Objectives: Protect Agricultural Resources within the Urban Area, Protect and Preserve Environmentally Sensitive Areas • 2.8 Parks and Open Space Objectives: Provide Adequate Parks and Open Space, Improve Access to Parks and Open Space, Conserve Nanaimo’s Natural and Cultural Heritage, Create Partnerships • 2.10 Resort Centre Objectives: Provide for a Comprehensive Planned Resort Community, Provide for ‘Complete’ Walkable Communities Goal Three: Encourage Social Enrichment • 3.1 Livable Communities Objectives: Develop a Safe Community • 3.3 Schools Objectives: Integrate Educational and Community Needs • 3.4 Food Security Objectives: Develop Sustainable Local Food Systems, Encourage Partnerships for Food Security, Ensure Access to Food • 3.5 Arts, Culture and Recreation Objectives: Encourage Inclusive Community Participation • 3.6 Heritage Objectives: Identify and Protect Heritage Resources, Maintain a Distinct Identity Goal Four: Promote a Thriving Economy • Thriving Economy Objectives: Promote Unique Features that Contribute to the Quality of Life for People and Business Goal Five: Protect and Enhance Our Environment • 5.1 Energy and Emissions Management Objectives: Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | H

• 5.2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Objectives: Protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Provide Opportunities for Nature Appreciation • 5.3 Natural Hazard Areas Objectives: Manage and Regulate Development to Protect Life and Property from Natural and Human-made Hazards • 5.4 Steep Slope Development Objectives: Protect the Natural Character of Hillsides, “Design with Nature” in Steep Slope Development • 5.5 Erosion Control Objectives: Control Erosion in the Development Process, Restore Eroded Areas • 5.6 Urban Forests and Greenways Objectives: Sustain Urban Forests and Treed Areas, Preserve Wildlife Trees, Encourage Tree Planting, Create and Sustain a Greenway “Network” for the Future Goal Six: Improve Mobility and Servicing • 6.2 Walking Objectives: Promote Pedestrian Travel and a Safe Walking Environment • 6.6 Trail Infrastructure Objectives: Develop a Comprehensive Trail System • 6.7 Road Infrastructure Objectives: Develop an Integrated Road, Transit, and Trail Network, Strengthen the Existing Road Infrastructure, Improve the Appearance-Friendliness and Safety of Our Streets, Minimize Vehicle Traffic Impact on Neighbourhoods • 6.8 Stormwater Services Objectives: Provide Flood Protection and Minimize Impacts on the Aquatic Environment, Review and Revise Municipal Stormwater Management • 6.9 Water Services Objectives: Ensure Sustainable Water Supply Goal Seven: Work Towards a Sustainable Nanaimo • 7.1 Neighbourhood and Area Planning Objectives: Support Neighbourhood Planning, Develop Area Plans in Support of Urban Nodes-Corridors-Neighbourhoods, Integrate Neighbourhood and Community Planning Objectives Parks, Recreation and Cultural Plan, 2005 Shared/Relevant Goals: 2 Shared/Relevant Recommendations: 2

Park Horticultural Strategy, 2005 (rev. 2009) Shared/Relevant Goals: 6 Shared/Relevant Priorities: 3

6.11 Urban Forest Master Plan • Recommendations: Complete an Urban Forest Master Plan 6.14.1 Nanaimo Recreation Campus • Recommendations: Provide careful integration of recreational facilities and an open grass campus, environmentally protected areas, trail systems, street trees, streetscape and parking area buffering, stormwater and watershed management…and overall parks and open space aesthetics Goals (paraphrased): • Beautify our community • Continuously assess maintenance practices and standards to remain current with BMPs in all aspects of horticulture work • Plan, provide, and maintain horticultural areas • Be a leader in the latest horticultural practices and trends • Help reduce invasive plant species which include fostering volunteer group relationships • Continue an integrated pest management (IPM) approach Maintenance and Redesign Priorities (paraphrased) • Add trees to Beban Clubhouse • Ensure the right trees are chosen for Beban Park

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | I

• Follow direction of the Urban Forestry Management Strategy for downtown trees

Strategic Plan, 2019-2022 Shared/Relevant Focus Areas: 2 Shared/Relevant Priorities: 4

Nanaimo Downtown Plan, 2002 Shared/Relevant Sections: 9 Shared/Relevant Policies: 28

Environmental Responsibility Key Focus Areas 1. Take a leadership role and focus on our environmental impact and climate change contributions in our decision making and regional participation 2. Ensure our community and transportation planning are multi-modal designed to encourage active and public transportation Livability Key Focus Areas 6. Proactively address social disorder issues, enhance public safety, and advocate for support to ensure our community is a safe place for all people to live, work, play, create and learn 7. Improve opportunities for active transportation in order to encourage a healthy, connected and environmentally responsible community 4.3 Housing and Community Development • Policy 1, Action 6: Improve the residential environment through public improvements to streets, parks and open spaces and convenient connections…

4.4 Transportation Systems • Policy 1, Action 1: Develop a Downtown Transportation Plan that identifies improvements to the present system…

4.4.1 Pedestrian Emphasis • Policy 1, Action 1: Provide amenities for pedestrians throughout the Downtown, by implementing streetscape plans and design guidelines for special pedestrian routes and by encouraging active use of sidewalk space • Policy 1, Action 2: Establish a policy and procedures whereby improvements to the pedestrian environment are incorporated as a significant component in funding and implementing roadway improvements Downtown • Policy 1, Action 3: Encourage continuous weather protection on main pedestrian routes, especially on shopping streets 4.5 Parks, Open Space and Recreation • Policy 1, Action 1: Determine the open space needs for a new and growing population and a mechanism for acquiring lands needed for parks and urban open spaces in those areas of the Downtown where park space needs have been identified…

• Policy 1, Action 2: Encourage the creation of interest and surprise throughout the Downtown using available corners, alleys, rooftops and nooks for innovative open spaces • Policy 2, Action 1: Develop public open space to accommodate uses such as open air markets, street vendors, sidewalk cafes, artwork and exhibits 4.7 Natural Environment • Policy 1, Action 1: Maintain and expand the quality and quantity of natural vegetation and trees in both the public and private domain to improve the ecological health of the Downtown area • Policy 2, Action 1: Continue to employ best stormwater management practices to provide information and advice to landowners and developers

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | J

• Policy 2, Action 2: Initiate further study for additional approaches for dealing with stormwater 4.8 Urban Design • Policy 1, Action 1: Prepare a specific urban design strategy for Downtown to provide guidance for all physical change in Downtown • Policy 1, Action 2: Adopt urban design guidelines to give direction to Downtown development proposals • Policy 1, Action 3: Provide guidelines for the design and integration of new developments, in order to ensure these developments improve the quality of the physical environment in the Downtown • Policy 1, Action 4: Ensure that new developments incorporate human scale design principles in the first two stories of development and that they relate to the street and enhance the pedestrian environment • Policy 1, Action 8: Ensure that new developments allow sun penetration to streets and open spaces • Policy 1, Action 9: Encourage the provision of continuous weather protection, particularly in the commercial core, through the use of canopies and awnings along selected streets • Policy 1, Action 10: Ensure that the siting of new developments maintains and enhances existing views, vistas and visual corridors, and where possible, creates new ones • Policy 2, Action 1: Prepare specific land use, density and form and character regulations and guidelines to accommodate the policies set out in section 4.9 on Character Areas • Policy 2, Action 2: Identify and retain the special topographical features of Downtown Nanaimo and develop urban design guidelines that ensure new development will add emphasis and expression to those features • Policy 3, Action 1: Develop a program of streetscape improvements for the main approach routes to Downtown • Policy 3, Action 2: Strengthen the special identity of each Downtown character area through distinctive designs of streetscape elements such as lighting, street furniture and landscaping • Policy 3, Action 3: Develop streetscape and urban design concepts and implementation strategies for special streets to ensure that they are distinctive and that they help define a sense of place in each of the Downtown neighbourhoods • Policy 3, Action 4: Provide for high quality amenities and the visual interest of the pedestrian - amenities such as trees, landscaping, green spaces…

• Policy 3, Action 6: Encourage activities like sidewalk cafes, open air markets, street vendors and year round programmed events on sidewalks and open spaces in commercial areas 4.9.6 Terminal Parkway • Action 1: Terminal as Greenway 4.9.8 Fitzwilliam Action 2: Streetscape Plan 5.2 Density and Form • Action 2: New Zoning

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | K

Downtown Design Guidelines, 2008 Shared/Relevant Sections: 2 Shared/Relevant Policies: 7

Transportation Master Plan, 2014 Shared/Relevant Sections: 3 Shared/Relevant Policies/Actions: 14

Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications, 2020 No.13 Edition Shared/Relevant Sections: 19

Urban Design Objectives for Downtown Nanaimo 3. Defined and beautiful public spaces for year-round use by everyone 6. Protection and restoration of the urban ecology Urban Design Guidelines • Open Space / Amenities • Landscaping • Streets and Lanes • Walkways and Pathways • Movement and Circulation 3.2 Walking Policies • W1: Focus sidewalk improvements in areas with high pedestrian demand and potential • W3: Ensure supportive urban design features • W3B: Use street trees, landscaping and boulevards to enhance streetscapes and provide a buffer between vehicles and pedestrians • W3C: Provide wider sidewalks in high pedestrian activity areas…

3.5 Major Roads • R3A: Integrate the Future Road Network Improvements Plan into other City policies and processes • R3B: Monitor major road congestion, operations, and safety performance to identify future priority projects • R3C: Include the principles of Complete Streets in future network improvement projects 3.6 Neighbourhood Transportation • N1A: Develop updated traffic calming guidelines outlining a flexible and proactive process for developing neighbourhood traffic calming • N1B: Develop guidelines and requirements for traffic calming in new neighbourhood streets • N1C: Provide public information on traffic calming treatments to increase awareness of the neighbourhood traffic calming process and potential treatments • N2A: Amend City standards for local and neighbourhood collector streets to incorporate elements such as boulevards, street trees, curb extensions, and on-street parking that can make streets nicer places to walk and bicycle • N2B: Require traffic calming treatments within new residential streets as development or redevelopment occurs • N2C: Incorporate complete street design elements into local and neighbourhood street designs • N3D: Develop “Neighbourhood Street Design Guidelines” for the development of future neighbourhood streets and street networks Section 14. Landscape Design Criteria 3) During Pre-Construction Stage 5) During Maintenance Stage 6) At the End of Maintenance Inspection Prior to Bond Release 14.03 Minimum Setbacks for Trees 1) Setbacks for Trees 14.04 Minimum Landscape Area Dimensions and Maximum Grades

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | L

14.05 Plant Material Selection • Part 1 – Trees for Directly Under Hydro Lines • Part 2 – Trees for Beside Hydro Lines • Part 4 – Trees for Available Soil Volumes of 20 CU.M. per Tree+ • Part 5 – Trees for Wide Boulevard or Wide Median Use Only 14.05A Riparian, Restoration Plan Material Size, Spacing, Location 14.06 Street Tree Size, Spacing and Location 14.07 Urban Trees in Pavement 14.07A Structural Soils Composites 14.13 Protection 14.26 Tree, Plant Materials, Riparian and Restoration 14.30 Planting Accessories 14.31 Replacements 14.56 Shipping, Storage and On-site Handling of Plant Materials 14.57 Pre-Planting Inspections 14.59 Tree Planting 14.61 Pruning Landscape Maintenance 14.87 Scope 14.98 Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | M

APPENDIX C. COMPLETE BENCHMARKING RESEARCH MATRIX

City Stats

City/Region Name: Province City Size (sq km) City Size Difference (sq km) City Population (2021 est.)

City Population Difference City Population Density (per sq km) Distance to Study Area (km) City Total Budget (2021)

Coquitlam

Victoria British Columbia 19.5 -71.8 390,000 286,929 20,000 111

$129,784,300

$288,000,000

$260,000,000

$690,000

$620,200

$2,552,419

$2,826,030

$150,000 N/A

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A N/A 0.37% 2.0

N/A N/A 0.48% N/A

N/A N/A 0.89% N/A

N/A N/A 1.09% N/A

Budget per Total Public Tree

N/A

N/A

N/A

$18.84

Budget per Public Street Tree

$137.42

N/A

$368.31

$75.36

Budget per Capita

$6.69

$5.43

$14.50

$7.25

Total Public Trees per Staff Total Street Trees per Staff Has Public Tree Inventory (Yes/No) Has Public Tree Inventory Software (Yes/No)

N/A 2,511 Yes Yes

N/A N/A No No

N/A N/A Yes No

Count of Public Trees (Inventoried)

5,021

N/A

6,930 (2004)

Estimated Total Public Tree Population

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parks and Open Space Area (hectares)

1,500 (2008)

820

Tree Canopy Cover (%)

28% (2006)

36% (2005)

N/A 40% (urban containment boundary)

N/A N/A Yes Yes 37,500 (est., 25% of 150k) 150,000 (park, natural areas, blvds, residential gardens, backyards) 254

Total Value of Public Trees

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Total Urban Forest Value

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

UF Line Item #1 (e.g. planting budget) UF Line Item #2

Budget

Saanich

British Columbia British Columbia 103.8 122.3 12.5 31 114,148 176,000 11,077 72,929 1,100 1,439 108 111

$184,181,252

Urban Forestry Budget (2021)

Tree Resource

Nanaimo British Columbia 91.3 0 103,071 0 1,129 0

UF Line Item #3 UF Line Item #4 UF Line Item #5 Urban Forestry % of Total Budget Number of Urban Forestry Staff (FTE)

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

28% (2019)

Page | N

2014 Census (U.S. Western Region)

2014 Census (U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group)

Surrey

Vancouver

Abbotsford

Kelowna

Richmond

British Columbia 316.5 225.2 588,490 485,419 1,859 114

British Columbia 115.0 23.7 2,606,000 2,502,929 22,661 81

British Columbia 376.5 285.2 165,138 62,067 439 151

British Columbia 211.7 120.4 149,596 46,525 707 525

British Columbia 129.0 37.7 223,000 119,929 1,729 107

$506,010,000

$1,597,000,000

$243,342,000

$252,000,000

$248,419,100

N/A

$1,500,000

N/A

$2,585,000

N/A

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Trees: $1M Biodiversity $0.3M Restoration & Maintenance: $0.3M N/A N/A 0.09% N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A 1.03% N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

$10.71

N/A

$109.00

N/A

N/A N/A N/A 6.3 $49.17 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation) $56.55 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation)

N/A

$0.58

N/A

$17.28

N/A

N/A

N/A N/A Yes No 96,000 (75k street, 21k park, 2016)

N/A N/A Yes Yes

N/A N/A Yes No

N/A N/A Yes Yes

11,781 5,262 N/A N/A

140,000 (street)

9,650 (street)

23,716

N/A N/A Yes No 56,500 (street and park)

N/A N/A 0.48% 11.8 $65.44 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation) $93.89 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation) $13.02 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation) 13,855 8,020 79% 85%

21,171 street trees

38,122 street trees

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

100,000

34,939 public trees

73,723 public trees

2,934

1,265

660

N/A

778

258

520.00

27% (2013)

22% (2020)

22% (2017)

23% (2019)

12% (2017)

25-35%

25%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

USA USA 125.6 189.1 34.3 97.8 N/A 100,000 - 249,000 N/A 175,000 N/A N/A N/A N/A $300,204,496 (CAD, adj. for $482,894,997 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation) 2021 inflation) $985,159.93 (CAD, adj. for $1,996,808 (CAD, adj. for 2021 2021 inflation) inflation) N/A N/A N/A N/A

56,500 trees $83M (Structural $113,376,980.29 (CAD, adj.

Value) for 2021 inflation) $518,670 (ecobens) N/A N/A

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

$135,836,744 (CAD, adj. for 2021 inflation) N/A

Page | O

City/Region Name:

Nanaimo Parks Recreation and Culture

Primary Department Development Services

Saanich

Coquitlam

Parks, Parks, Recreation, Recreation and Culture and Community Facilities Services

Victoria Parks, Recreation and Facilities

Parks and Horticulture Section

Resource Management

Division/Section

Parks Division

Parks Planning and Forestry

Parks

Street (Boulevard) Tree Maintenance Responsibility

City

City

City

City

Public Trees Pruned Per Year Public Tree Pruning Cycle (years) Desired Public Tree Pruning Cycle (years) Trees Planted per Year % of Communities Using Contractors for Tree Pruning

200 N/A 5-7 250 N/A

1,500 N/A 5-7 N/A N/A

N/A N/A 5-7 350 N/A

2,000 16 5-7 350 N/A

Urban Forest Management Strategy

Urban Forest Strategy

N/A

Urban Forest Master Plan

Date of UFMP Certifications: ISA CA/MS

2010 Yes

2010 N/A

N/A N/A

2013 N/A

Community Engagement

Tree Voucher Program

UFMP (Yes/No)

Community Framework

Development Engineering & Environmental Protection

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Partnership Tree Neighbourhood Planting Tree Days Program Program

Apr2022

Trees in Cities Challenge

Page | P

Surrey

Vancouver

Abbotsford

Kelowna

Richmond

2014 Census (U.S. Western Region)

Parks, Recreation and Culture

Planning Urban Design Sustainability & Engineering

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Parks and Recreation

Parks

N/A

32% Streets/Transportation 28% Public Works 26% Forestry/Urban Forestry

Parks

Urban Forestry Program

Urban Forestry Section

Parks

N/A

N/A

Civic Operations Division

2014 Census (U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group)

Park Services 46% City 28% Property Owner 21% Jointly 6% Other 2,813 12.4 4.8 356 N/A

3,897 18.9 4.8 634 71%

N/A

City

City

City

City

City

N/A 5 5-7 5,000 N/A Shade Tree Management Plan

N/A N/A 5-7 15,000 N/A

N/A N/A 5-7 600 N/A

4,000 5.9 5-7 450 N/A

N/A N/A 5-7 N/A N/A

Urban Forest Management Strategy (in progress) 2021 N/A

Urban Forest Strategy

Urban Forest Strategy 2020-2045

Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy

Public Tree Management Strategy 2045

N/A

66%

2018 N/A

2020 N/A

2011 N/A

2019 N/A

N/A N/A

N/A 92% have an ISA CA on staff

Releaf Tree Planting

Tree Vancouver

N/A

NeighbourWoods

N/A

364 volunteers and 971 hours annually

251 volunteers and 1,090 hours annually

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | Q

City/Region Name:

Nanaimo

Saanich

4cm or > for Arbutus, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Yew 15cm or >: Western Yew, Pacific Willow, 30cm for DouglasHooker's Willow, Sitka Willow, Bitter fir, Grand Fir, Big Cherry, Cascara Leaf Maple, Western Red 20cm or >: Western White Pine, Shore Cedar Pine, Trembling Aspen 60cm or > for any other tree 40cm or >: Douglas Maple species Any 50cm or >: Western Hemlock, Arbutus replacement tree 80cm or >: Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, Any Significant Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, Black Tree Cottonwood, Bigleaf Maple Nesting Evidence

Coquitlam

Victoria

20cm or >

30cm or >

Institutional Framework

Institutional Framework

10cm or >: Rocky Mountain Juniper, Garry Oak, Pacific Crabapple, Black Hawthorn, Western Dogwood

Size of Protected Trees

Securities on Replacement Trees

Required Replacement

$300 per replacement tree

<30cm 1:1, 30-80cm 2:1, >80cm 3:1 or a ratio of 100 trees per Ha Whichever is less

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

$300 - $700 per tree depending on lot

2:1 on private 3:1 municipal projects

Apr2022

$600 tree replacement security deposit (90% returned after planting)

Protected Tree Retained: Specimen trees: $10,000 Non-specimen protected tree: $2,500 Replacement Tree: Small spp: $2,000 Large spp: $1,000

Varies by lot size and # of trees removed Ex) 501m2 - 750m2 with 1 tree removed = 2 Class A (lg trees) or 3 Class B (med trees) or 4 Class C (sm trees)

Page | R

1:1

Surrey

Vancouver

30cm or > ESA Nesting Species

30cm or >

Abbotsford

Kelowna

Richmond

2014 Census (U.S. Western Region)

2014 Census (U.S. 100,000-249,999 Population Group)

20cm or >

15cm or >

20cm or >

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Single lot singlefamily: 1:1 Others: 1:1 or more as approved by Director

N/A

N/A

Replacement trees

$300 or $600 per replacement tree (size dependent) Development/ subdivision retained trees: $10,000 per significant tree, $5,000 per specimen quality tree, $3,000 for other protected trees, up to $100,000 or $10,000 per lo

2:1

$500 for < 8cm $750 for 8cm or >

1:1

125% of the value of all replacement $300 per replacement trees and site tree restoration and clean-up measures

<20cm: no requirements 2030cm: 2 trees >30cm: 3 trees

2:1

Nanaimo, BC Urban Forest Benchmarking and Audit Study

Apr2022

Page | S

SUMMARY REPORT

URBAN FOREST BENCHMARKING AND AUDIT STUDY NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA APRIL 2022 COMPLETED BY: PLANIT GEO