Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of CityPlans, in consultation with the
General Manager of Engineering Services and
General Manager of Parks & Recreation

SUBJECT:

Vancouver Tree Trust 1999 Tree Voucher Program

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On July 11, 1998, Council approved the formation of the Vancouver Tree Trust using existing staff support and external donations to encourage the retention of trees.

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Vancouver Tree Trust's 1999 Tree Voucher Program is planned as part of a one day special event called "City of Vancouver TreeFest 99" scheduled for October 2, 1999. The 1999 Tree Voucher Program will be the centrepiece of TreeFest 99. The Tree Voucher Program builds on the widespread success of the 1996/1997 program that sold 3,000 vouchers to Vancouver residents for tree planting on private property. This report seeks Council's approval for the 1999 Tree Voucher Program and provides Council with an update on the Tree Trust.

BACKGROUND

The success and community support for the 1996/1997 Tree Voucher Program prompted staff to examine future program funding possibilities. As a result of the Tree Voucher Program, Vancouver residents planted 3,000 trees on private property throughout the city. Last year Council approved the formation of the Vancouver Tree Trust to support programs like the Tree Voucher Program subject to using external funding and existing staff resources.

Through donations to the Tree Trust, community members and corporate sponsors can take part in promoting the welfare of the city's urban forest, focusing on projects that would not normally be funded. Possible additional programs beyond the Tree Voucher Program include Tree Stewardship that focuses on tree retention and relocation; a Right Tree-Right Place booklet that provides information about tree planting and care; and Tree Walks that educate residents about trees in their neighbourhood. Each of these initiatives depends on external funding and requires Council's approval as funding is secured.

DISCUSSION

Two organizations have provided grants to the Vancouver Tree Trust. They are the Tree Trust's first "Gold Leaf" partners.

· BC Hydro has committed $10,000 to the Tree Trust. Initially BC Hydro proposed to fund the "Right Tree - Right Place" Booklet. Following discussion with staff, BC Hydro agreed to support the Tree Voucher Program, as this strategy would best serve the sponsors and City's interests and resources. The associated promotion and TreeFest 99 event gives BC Hydro the opportunity to actively participate in the Tree Trust program. BC Hydro will be encouraged to distribute their "Planting Near Power Lines" booklet at the TreeFest 99 event which will be further supported by the City's tree-related literature.

· Staff also made an application and received a grant of $10,000 from Canada Trust's Friends of the Environment Foundation [CTFEF] to support the Tree Voucher Program.

The Vancouver Tree Trust will therefore focus on the Tree Voucher Program in 1999 as part of a "City of Vancouver TreeFest 99" special event scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd. The core of the program will be the sale of 1,000 specimen trees, suitable for planting in Vamcpiver, at a reduced price (limit one per family) as part of a day of tree-related events and activities. The event will complement Arbor Week that will follow in mid-October. Nat Bailey Stadium Parking Lot/Hillcrest Park is the preferred location as it is central, easily identifiable and practical for parking and tree pick-up. The sales will be on a first come, first serve basis. Staff will formalize a contingency plan for selling the residual trees in case the 1,000 trees are not sold in one day.

A number of other activities will complement this "Green Theme" such as tree planting, pruning and care demonstrations. Associations such as "Green Links" of Douglas College, Forest Education BC, "Mainly for the Birds", BC Federation of Naturalists and the Evergreen Foundation will be invited to support the program. BC Hydro and Canada Trust, key sponsors of the Tree Voucher Program this year, will be recognized. Food and other concessions will add to the festive atmosphere. Participants can either drop in to pick up a tree or stay for the day with their family or friends and enjoy a variety of activities.

ADMINISTRATION AND STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

Park Board and Planning's Landscape Review and Tree By-law staff will form the overall coordinating body for the TreeFest 99 event. The Riley Park Community Association will also be sourced for support, as well as the Master Gardeners from Van Dusen Gardens, to help sell the trees and coordinate activities. Considering the number of people expected, a traffic management plan will be coordinated with Engineering Services. Other volunteers will be sourced on an as-needed basis as the program is refined.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The Tree Trust's Tree Voucher Program will have a total $35,000 to contribute to TreeFest 99. The existing funds consist of $20,000 contributed by BC Hydro and the CTFEF. Additional funding of $15,000 will be contributed by Vancouver residents through the purchase of 1,000 trees at $15 per tree including applicable taxes.

The Tree Voucher Program will contribute $5,000 of these funds to promotion, including printing and distribution of small posters and local newspaper notices. The City will also complement this print promotion with press releases and Internet postings. Additional
promotion will be sources by free advertising through Rogers Cable, stories/features in local newspapers, community associations and other organizations. As with the previous Tree

Voucher Program, libraries and community centres will be a basis to get the word out. It is anticipated that BC Hydro, Forest Education BC, and Canada Trust will also spread the word through their network in Vancouver. As with the previous Tree Voucher Program, SUCCESS and MOSAIC will be contacted to use their expertise and skills to reach out to Vancouver's multicultural community.

The balance of the funds ($30,000) will go toward the purchase of trees. The Park Board will coordinate the bidding and purchase of trees with the idea that 25% will be unusual trees, if possible. These trees will help draw additional attention and interest to TreeFest 99 as witnessed at the past Van Dusen Gardens unusual plant sales. The City will assemble a list of trees for Vancouver that will help support "Our Right Tree-Right Place Theme" in tree planting. These trees will form the basis for the trees for sale, with supportive information supplied at the event.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

The sale of 1,000 trees to Vancouver residents and the educational benefits associated with the TreeFest 99 event will help improve neighbourhood character and contribute to the City's overall environmental quality.

CONCLUSION

This report recommends that the 1999 Tree Voucher Program and funding be approved as part of the City of Vancouver's TreeFest 99 event.

A reduction in staffing in the Tree and Landscape Group has resulted in fewer staff resources to promote Tree Trust activities. Nevertheless, staff believe that a focus of 1999 activities on the TreeFest event will provide public profile to the City's efforts to retain and enhance trees in Vancouver.

Further Tree Trust Programs will depend on staff resources and external financial support and will be reported to Council before proceeding.

* * * * *

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver