LATE DISTRIBUTION
   FOR COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 10, 1996
                                                                                                                                                                                                       P2
                                 POLICY REPORT
                           DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING

                                           Date: September 4, 1996
                                           Dept. File No.  MvH

   TO:       Vancouver City Council

   FROM:     Director of Land Use & Development

   SUBJECT:  Update on Tree Voucher Program of the
             Green Streets Canada Application


   INFORMATION

        The Director of Land Use & Development submits this report for
        Council s INFORMATION.

   COUNCIL POLICY

   On April 29, 1996, Council approved an increase in the City s
   contribution to the Tree Voucher Program, from $20,000 to $25,000, to
   compensate for a shortfall in grant funding from Green Streets Canada. 
   Previously, on September 26, 1995, Council had endorsed, by resolution,
   the application to Green Streets Canada for matching funds to enhance
   Vancouver s existing tree planting programs, foster community
   involvement and increase public awareness of the benefit of trees.

   The importance of tree planting and awareness were highlighted through
   the Clouds of Change report [Section 28(b)] and similar principles
   presented in the Urban Landscape Task Force report were adopted by
   Council on November 3, 1992.  These principles were further affirmed in
   the Greenways Implementation report adopted by Council on July 18, 1995. 
   Most recently, Council revised the Private Property Tree By-law on
   August 1, 1996 to protect significant trees that do not need to be
   removed on all private property, building on earlier policy that
   required tree replacement associated with development applications. 


   PURPOSE

   This report provides an update on the implementation process for the
   Tree Voucher Program component of Green Streets Canada.  It also
   acknowledges the recent, and valuable, addition of two community
   partners: SUCCESS and MOSAIC, who will help in printing, translation and
   outreach to the city s diverse cultural communities.

   BACKGROUND

   Following the resolution by Council in September 1995 to approve the
   City s Green Streets Canada Application, the City submitted a variety of
   projects for consideration.

   On December 18, 1995, the City received word that Green Streets Canada
   had awarded the City $30,000: $25,000 for the Tree Voucher Program,
   $3,000 for the Shade the Children Program and $2,000 for the Remnant
   Woodland Program.  On April 29, 1996, the City increased its
   contribution to the Tree Voucher Program by $5,000 to fill the shortfall
   in Green Streets Canada funding.

   DISCUSSION

   The Tree Voucher Program, launched on September 3rd, is a pilot project
   that targets the planting of 3,000 trees on private properties
   throughout the city.  The program is a cost-sharing partnership between
   the public, British Columbia Nursery Trades Association, the Green
   Streets Canada Program of the Tree Canada Foundation and the City of
   Vancouver.  The program s total cost is approximately $120,000 to
   provide 3,000 trees to Vancouver residents.

   Recently, SUCCESS (United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society)
   and MOSAIC (Multilingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant
   Communities) have joined the Tree Voucher Program as community partners
   helping in the printing of promotional material, translation of the
   materials into five languages, and special outreach to the cultural
   communities of Vancouver.

   Ten community centres across the city are selling $l0 vouchers, which
   can be exchanged for a tree valued at $40 at the participating
   nurseries.  The Community Centres include Britannia, Dunbar, Hastings,
   Kensington, Killarney, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, Oakridge/Marpole,
   Renfrew and Sunset.  Tree Voucher participants must be 18 years of age
   and a resident of Vancouver.  Quantities are limited to one Tree Voucher
   per family.  Tree Vouchers are being sold only at the community centres
   from September 3rd to 21st and participants have to redeem the vouchers
   at one of the eight participating nurseries before December 1, 1996. 
   (See Appendix A for detailed information.)
   Finally, the City hopes to build this pilot program into a long-term
   project.  Preliminary conversations are already underway with SUCCESS to
   partner with them and Green Streets Canada on a broader 3-year program.
   A report back on the success of the Tree Voucher Program, along with the
   Shade the Children Program and the Remnant Woodlands Program, as well as
   future proposals, is targeted for early in the new year.

   ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

   The Tree Voucher Program is encouraging environmental awareness,
   education and partnerships throughout the city.

   FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

   SUCCESS and MOSAIC, joining as recent community partners to the Tree
   Voucher Program, have added funding and/or in-kind contributions for
   printing, translation and outreach that encourage a broader
   participation in the program.

   CONCLUSION

   The Tree Voucher Program is an important component of the overall Tree
   Management Program in Vancouver.  It brings together important partners,
   especially the recent addition of SUCCESS and MOSAIC, to help reach out
   to the citizens of Vancouver.  It provides a critical awareness of the
   importance of trees on private property and their far-reaching
   environmental benefits.  Hopefully, the Tree Voucher Program is the seed
   for an ongoing program that will continually enhance Vancouver s
   outstanding natural heritage.


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