Consultants working on Red Deer's Urban Forest Management Plan say good planning will help the city respond to unpredictable events, like the June windstorm.
 
Alex Satel is with Urban Forest Innovations, a firm bassed in Mississauga, Ont. He says the plan includes a number of measures that will make Red Deer's trees more resilient in the future.

"There's a number of recommendations about improving tree growing environments, planting high quality trees, maintaining those trees from when they're very young to develop good structure. Trees that will be planted in the face of the storm will be planted properly and planted well and good species will be planted in proper spots," Satel says.

Red Deer residents had a chance to weigh in on the city's plan, which is still only in its draft stage, at a consultation meeting last night.

They provided feedback on its vision, guiding principles, objectives and 29 action items. In concert, the plan is aimed at improving, protecting and enhanding the city's urban forest, which includes all the trees in Red Deer -- though the focus is on those trees planted by the city.

One of the action items includes taking an asset management approach to urban forestry, where trees are viewed as part of city infrastructure like roads and sewers. Resources would be directed toward their maintenance, accordingly.

Some others include creating an urban forestry education and stewardship coordinator staff position, increasing pest management, enhancing protection of natural areas on future development lands, and expanding education and engagement programs.

Trees provide a number of benefits to a city. They range from the environmental (reducing air pollution) to the economic (raising property values).

"The fact that the City of Red Deer is engaged in this effort at all is a recognition that its citizens and government are aware of the value of that urban forest," said Satel's colleague Philip Van Wassenaer.