Item - 2016.PE14.2

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council adopt "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy", Attachment 1 to the report (October 4, 2016) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to develop a Tree Planting Strategy based on the recommendations included in the report "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy" and report back in the third quarter of 2017.

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to form an Urban Forest Working Group with key stakeholders to develop a Tree Planting Strategy and raise necessary funds to implement the recommendations in this report.

4.  City Council adopt the following policy with respect to the receipt of replacement tree planting funds collected under the Street Tree and Private Tree By-laws (City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 813, Articles II and III):

a.  That all replacement tree planting funds collected be contributed to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) at the end of every fiscal year to ensure actual revenues collected are available  to expand the tree canopy and facilitate long term planning;

b.  As part of the annual operating budget cycle, Parks, Forestry and Recreation estimate the replacement funds collected as current revenue to be received, and an equivalent expenditure in the form of a contribution to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) be included as part of the Operating Budget; and

c.  That the future expenditures for the Tree Planting Strategy be included as part of future Operating Budgets and funded by withdrawals from the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220).

5.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to transfer the 2016 final year end cumulative balances of replacement tree planting funds held in the deferred accounts 220239, 220288, 220289, 220290, 220291 to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) and discontinue their use once the appropriate alternative budgetary mechanisms are established.

The purpose of this report is to advise City Council of the recommendations made by a consultant team (Beacon Environmental Ltd. and Urban Forest Innovations Inc.) in response to direction provided by City Council through the approved 2015 Operating Budget which included $0.050 million to help direct future investment in tree planting.

The consultants were retained to facilitate stakeholder workshops and prepare recommended actions to direct the development of a tree planting strategy that will help achieve the City's tree canopy target of 40 per cent through partnerships and engagement of private landowners. The recommended actions are outlined in a report titled 'Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy'. The report describes 16 actions focusing on programs and services to increase tree planting and stewardship on private property.

The City of Toronto has adopted the goal of increasing the city's current tree canopy cover, estimated at 26.6 - 28 per cent, to 40 per cent. Sustaining and Expanding the Urban Forest: Toronto's Strategic Forest Management Plan outlines the City's strategy for achieving this goal. Key findings identified in this plan are that more than half of Toronto's land area lies in private ownership and that successful implementation of the plan, including the goal of achieving 40 per cent tree canopy cover, can only be achieved through private-public partnerships.

The consultant's report supports the City's urban forest management vision and goals with particular regard to working with external stakeholders and private landowners to expand Toronto's urban forest. The recommended actions, developed through public input and stakeholder feedback, are organized in the report under the following categories: private tree establishment; promotion, partnership and outreach; planning and management; and resources and leadership. These recommendations include the establishment of new private-public partnership programs, prioritization tools, funding mechanisms and process improvements.