Image 1: Poster with a background photo looking up at tall leafy trees against the sky. Text reads: ‘Tree Equity Campaign Launch.’ A white arrow points to the right. Calgary Climate Hub logo appears in the top left corner.
Image 2: TREE EQUITY PLEDGE
Trees provide environmental, economic, and social benefits that should be accessible to all Calgarians and, therefore, the Calgary Climate Hub wants to see all mayoral and councillor candidates sign the following Tree Equity Pledge.
Tree Equity Pledge
I support equitable tree planting in Calgary.
I support protection of existing tree canopy in Calgary.
I support community engagement and education on the importance of Calgary’s urban forest.
Pledge Clarification
Equitable tree planting means that council will direct urban forestry to focus planting efforts on neighbourhoods that are twenty or more years old with tree canopy that is still well below the Calgary average of 8%. Urban Forestry will assess tree equity by neighbourhood and develop action plans to achieve 16% tree canopy as stated in the Calgary Climate Strategy.
Protection of the existing tree canopy means that council will improve the existing tree bylaw to extend to private trees, similar to Toronto’s bylaw in which private property trees over 30 centimeters in diameter require removal permits. The permit process will ensure that any trees removed by a developer, property owner, or Calgary Parks must be replaced based on the assessed value of the tree, not simply a one for one replacement.
Community engagement and education means that council will increase Calgary Parks budget for tree planting and maintenance workshops, tree giveaways like the Branching Out program, community forest planting events and nature walks through existing forests and natural areas.
The Hub is calling upon mayoral & councillor candidates to commit to advancing #TreeEquity in Calgary by signing onto the #TreeEquityPledge. Signatories will be shared with our community leading up to the election to showcase tree equity champions to potential voters! #TakeThePledge #yyc #yyccc