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Report To: Joint General Government and Planning and Development Committees
Date of Meeting: January 7, 2019
Report Number: PSD -004-19 Resolution: JC -025-19
File Number: PLN 17.1.6 By-law Number:
Report Subject: Environmental Stewardship, 2018 Annual Report
Recommendation:
1. That Report PSD -004-19 be received for information.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD -004-19
Report Overview
Page 2
Council provides annual funding for an ongoing Environmental Stewardship Program. The
program encourages citizens and groups to carry out initiatives that improve municipal lands,
such as valleylands and other natural areas. Since 2011, this program has also included the
replanting of trees along country roads. The benefits of the program go beyond the monetary
value of the projects as they include increased tree canopy, wildlife habitat, climate change
mitigation, community beautification, local history preservation and community engagement
through volunteerism. In 2018, 865 saplings were planted along rural roads and the invasive
species eradication project continued.
1. Background
1.1 Beginning in 2002, Council has provided annual funding for an ongoing environmental
stewardship program. When approving projects for funding, Staff review projects to
ensure general public benefit, matching in-kind contributions (labour and/or materials),
and how a project meets the long-term objectives of the Municipality.
1.2 The purpose of this report is to inform Council of how the funds were used in 2018.
2. 2017 Stewardship Projects
Trees for Rural Roads
2.1 Clarington initiated the Trees for Rural Roads (TRR) program in partnership with Central
Lake Ontario Region Conservation Authority (CLOCA) and Ganaraska Region
Conservation Authority (GRCA). The goal of the program is to plant trees along country
roads for the benefit of the environment and local communities. Increasing tree canopy
cover improves wildlife habitat, enhances environmental services including carbon
sequestration and cooling of roadways. Trees are offered free of charge to rural residents
to be planted on private property adjacent to municipal roadways. Participants have their
choice of native tree species including: sugar and red maples, white pine, white spruce,
white birch, and red and white oak.
2.2 The TRR program is announced through articles in local newspapers, the Planning E -
update and the Municipal website. Applications were received by the March 31 deadline,
and in late April, 865 saplings were distributed to 59 property owners and planted
throughout Clarington (Attachment 1 — Map of the roadways planted to date).
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD -004-19
Page 3
2.3 Applications are reviewed by the applicable Conservation Authority to ensure that
planting locations support the intent of the project, do not conflict with infrastructure, and
trees have an appropriate separation from each other and from the road.
2.4 Since 2013 the program has received partial funding through Maple Leaves Forever
(MLF), a registered charity that advocates and supports the planting of native Canadian
maples across the rural and urban landscape of southern Ontario. Native maples were
subsidized at a rate of one third of the purchase price of the planting stock.
Figure 1, 2 and 3: Helpers Load up
2.5 A feedback survey of TRR participants is undertaken in order to help improve the
program for future years. Participants who responded indicated that they were pleased
with the program, planting information and pickup location. Overall the response and
satisfaction of rural residents with this program and its goals is very positive. In August
overall survival rate appeared to be in the 70 to 75% range, which is lower than previous
years and most likely due to the lack of precipitation during the summer months, sugar
maples suffered the greatest loss. It has been suggested the planting information be
provided in advance of pick-up to assist with preparation.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD -004-19 Page 4
2.6 To assist with understanding the impact of the Trees for Rural Roads program an
analysis by EcoBusiness Network (formerly Durham Sustainability) was undertaken to
quantify the carbon sequestration provided by the trees. This analysis was part of our
contribution to the Climate Change inventory for Durham Region. For the years 2012-
2017, 4193 trees were plants along rural roadways providing an estimated 165 tonnes of
diverted carbon dioxide equivalents. Attachment 2 is the full analysis.
Invasive Species Workshop and Eradication
2.7 For the second phase, Environmental Stewardship funds assisted CLOCA and Friends of
the Farewell with the Invasive Species eradication project. The focus of the eradication is
phragmites within the valleylands of the Farewell Creek.
2.8 An existing online stormwater detention pond, located in the Black, Harmony, Farewell
Creek watershed was targeted as a pilot project for management of the invasive species,
Common Reed (Phragmites australis australis). This invasive perennial grass is having
an impact on meadow and wetland habitats across the province and is easily spread
through construction activities, wind and water. The size of the population of phragmites
at this site was deemed appropriate for a pilot project. A Memorandum of Understanding
was developed between the Municipality of Clarington and Central Lake Ontario
Conservation to manage this population through a partnership with Courtice Eco Projects.
CLOCA staff collected native seed of non-invasive species from the site in 2016 and
students from Courtice Secondary School grew these native plants in their green house
with modest success.
2.9 The site was revisited in spring 2018 to determine the need for follow up herbicide
applications based on sprouting from the phragmites colony. A second treatment was not
recommended due to wet conditions throughout the spring months. CLOCA staff
completed baseline monitoring at the two sites to quantify success of the 2016 herbicide
application. CLOCA staff worked with volunteers spading the phragmites and planting.
Spading involves the use of a spade and cutting the plant stem below the soil level to
reduce vigor in the overall root structure. CLOCA staff noted a greater diversity of native
species present on the east side of George Reynolds with seven native species observed
and one native species (jewelweed) on the west side of George Reynolds. It is
recommended that follow up treatment and monitoring continue in 2019.
2.10 Both sites were combined as the Courtice Phragmites Management Site under the
Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PSMF). The PSMF is a Great Lakes
basin collaboration to monitor outcomes of managed phragmites stands in the US and
Canada to improve our understanding about management techniques for site specific
conditions throughout the basin. Monitoring under this program was completed and
entered into the PSMF database.
2.11 Funding of $3,000 were granted by TD Friends of the Environment to develop a
restoration plan and cover the costs of planting native wet meadow plants. The
Municipality contributed $1000 funding toward costs associated with this project.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD -004-19
Page 5
Figure 4: Spading Figure 5: Planting
3. Concurrence
Not applicable.
4. Conclusion
4.1 The Environmental Stewardship Program in Clarington is an initiative that has been well
received in the community. Since 2002 over $140,000 has been invested in numerous
projects; however, the value of the in-kind contributions multiplies the benefits many
times over. The benefits go well beyond the monetary value of the projects to include
increased tree canopy cover and wildlife habitat, climate change mitigation, community
beautification, local history preservation, and community engagement through
volunteerism.
4.2 Clarington "led the way" with the TRR program and continues to with the invasive species
eradication project. Both programs have been adopted by other local municipalities.
4.3 Additional programs for the renewal of urban street trees are necessary to address the
adverse effects of the Emerald Ash Borer (another invasive species), canopy damage
from severe storms and climate change. Commitment to the Urban Forestry Strategy is
necessary to address these issues.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD -004-19
Page 6
Submitted by. Reviewed by:
Faye Langmaid, RPP, FCSLA Andrew C. Allison, B.Comm, LL.B
Acting Director of Planning Services CAO
Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, 905-623-3379 ext. 2407 or
flangmaid(c)_clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 — Trees for Rural Roads Map of Plantings for 2012 — 2018
Attachment 2 — An Impact Evaluation of the Trees for Rural Roads Program in the Municipality
of Clarington
FL/nl
Attachment 1 to
Report PSD -004-19
An Impact Evaluation of the Trees for Rural
Roads Program in the Municipality of
Clarington
Prepared by EcoBusiness Network for the Municipality of Clarington
March 16th, 2018
Abstract
The urgency posed by global warming has motivated scientists and the public alike to preserve and restore our
environment. The Trees for Rural Roads project initiated by the Municipality of Clarington has resulted in the
planting of 4143 trees to date, however, the environmental impact of the project has yet to be quantified. Using
data collected and analyzed by the United States Department of Agriculture, growth rates and accumulated
biomass were calculated for all trees planted through TRR. Approximately 165 tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalents KOM have been diverted by TRR since 2012. Thorough data extrapolation, it was estimated that by
2027 TRR will divert 4090 tCO2e, which is equivalent to the annual emissions from 340 individuals in Ontario. The
exponential growth model of carbon sequestration demonstrated by TRR highlights the importance of the project's
continuation.
Introduction
In Canada, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activity continue to exhaust the absorbing capacity of
carbon sinks. Extractive activity, transportation, and electricity generation contribute significantly to over 700
million tonnes of carbon dioxide produced each year by the nation'. A portion of these emissions is sequestered
by natural carbon sinks such as forests, but the majority remain in the atmosphere. Although cloud coverage
naturally generates the greenhouse effect and is necessary for our survival, elevated levels of GHG emissions
amplify the effect to a degree that threatens global climate stability. GHGs produced by human activity include a
variety of gases that are capable of absorbing and emitting infrared radiation, with carbon dioxide being the most
significant contributor to the greenhouse effectz. This realization has led to the implementation of carbon
accounting and emissions caps in an attempt to grasp control over our rapidly changing climate.
Natural carbon sinks exist in our environment and are active in reducing the impact of GHGs. Atmospheric carbon
dioxide is taken up by trees during photosynthesis, where it is fed into cellular cycles that propagate plant growth.
Carbon is used in the formation of plant fibres and nutrients, therefore, the rate of carbon dioxide uptake by a
plant may be estimated by determining the overall carbon content of the organism. Methods for estimating
carbon storage are well established' and are contingent on determining the biomass of productive plants.
Standard protocol to estimate biomass involves modelling relationships between physical characteristics such as
diameter, height, and wood density'. When physical sampling of these measurements cannot be achieved,
sequestration rates can be estimated based on allometric modelling of growth from the age of planting.
The increasing concern about global climate change has inspired action from scientists as well as the public. One
example of such mobilization is the Trees for Rural Roads (TRR) initiative in the Municipality of Clarington. The
focus of this program is to restore the green landscape on rural roads in a partnership with local growers, who
provide the trees for planting. Over the years, trees in this region have been lost through removal, old age, disease,
insects, and weather. The project, which began in 2012, has coordinated the planting of 4143 trees of eight
different species (Figure 1).
Trees for Rural Roads Planting History
1000 ■ Silver Maple
■ White Spruce
■ Red Maple
■ White Pine
750 ■ White Oak
■ Red Oak
■ White Birch
N ■ Hard Maple
2 500
`m
E
Z 250
0
2012 2013 2D14 2015 2016 2017
Year of Planting
Figure 1. Quantities of tree species planted annually by TRR. Estimated survival of saplings was 90% from 2012-
2015, 80% in 2016, and 95% in 2017. In total, 4143 trees were planted.
Objective of Study
The development in landscape as a result of TRR is monitored annually by project coordinators, but the direct
environmental impact of the project has yet to be quantified. Allometric modelling was used to estimate the
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents KOM absorbed by trees planted from 2012 -present. Allometric equations
were selected from The United States Department of Agriculture's Urban Tree Database, which contains species -
and location -specific allometric equations to model relationships between tree diameter, height, and biomass,
based on tree age 4. From these data, projections were made to evaluate the long-term impact of TRR, should the
project continue.
Calculating Tree Biomass and COze
Investigators from the United States Department of Agriculture compiled tree measurement data from a 14 -year-
long study conducted in several cities across the United States. From these data, 365 equations were developed to
model the growth of 171 species of trees in urban centres. Due to a lack of such cohesive and statistically powerful
studies conducted in Canada, data from the Northeastern sampling zone (the most similar to southeastern Ontario
in terms of climate conditions) were used to approximate growth rates of tree species planted by TRR. From these
data, trunk diameter at 1.5 meters from the ground (dbh) was calculated for each species during each year of
growth, for use in a species-specific allometric equation to model the above -ground biomass of each tree
(Supplementary Table 1). The starting dbh of each sapling was assumed to be 2.54cm (1 inch), which is the typical
dbh at planting for most trees. The accumulation of mass over the lifetime of each tree was compiled and used to
estimate the total increase in biomass observed in the trees planted by TRR. The known carbon compositions of
angiospermic and coniferous trees were used to estimate the mass of carbon contained in each trees from which
COze quantities were calculated (Appendix A).
Results
Impact of TRR from 2012 -Present
To date, approximately 165 tCO2e have been diverted by TRR, when considering the estimated survival of planted
trees (Figure 2). Red and hard maple trees have contributed the most to total sequestration (53.9 tCO2e and 38.9
tCO2e, respectively). This may be attributed to higher planting rates and rapid growth rates of the two species.
Red oak, white oak, and white spruce trees diverted modest amounts of CO2e (19.7 tCO2e, 15.1 tCO2e, and 19.6
tCO2e, respectively), while white birch, white pine, and silver maple contributed the smallest amount of work (9.7
tCO2e, 3.6 tCO2e, and 4.9 tCO2e, respectively). Low rates of sequestration observed in white birch trees is likely due
to their slow rate of growth. Meanwhile, planting of silver maple trees did not commence until 2014, limiting their
CO2 -diversion potential.
Mass of CO2e Diverted Per Species Since 2012
Total CO2e Diverted: 165 tonnes
Silver Maple
3.0%
White Spruce
Hard Maple
11.9%
23.5%
White Birch
5.9%
Red Maple '
32.596
19.7
Red Oak
11.9%
White Rine
White Oak
2.2% — —
9.1%
Figure 2. Percentage of total diverted CO2e attributed to each tree species planted by TRR since 2012. Total mass
Of CO2e diverted since commencement of the program is 165 tonnes. Chart legend indicates tree species and their
respective contribution, in percentage, to the collective sequestration of CO2e. Slice label represents the estimated
mass of CO2e sequestered by each species, in tonnes. CO2e was calculated based on estimated annual survival rate,
not the actual number of trees planted (Appendix A).
Projected Impact of TRR
In 2015, the province of Ontario generated 166 million tCO2e', at a rate of 12 tCO2e/person (based on population
of 13,789,600 in 2015)6. Calculations were determined using the average number of trees that survived annually
between 2012-2017. It was estimated that 4,090 tCO2e will be diverted by 2027 (Figure 3). Thus, TRR could
conceivably sequester the annual emissions of approximately 340 individuals by 2027. The exponential growth
pattern of sequestration potential (y = 115e0 228x, R2 = 0.986) suggests that longevity is critical to the project's
impact.
Projected Annual Diversion of CO2e
1000
750
a)
C
G
d
r
v 500
os
t=
CD
O
m
0 250
U
0
ti� ry ti ry�ry ry�N ryoN �qti ry0N ryoN �Qti
Year
Figure 3. The projected annual diversion of CO2e as a result of trees planted by TRR from 2018-2027. Green bars
represent the estimated cumulative mass of CO2e that would be diverted each year by all tree species, with bar
labels indicating the quantities in tonnes. The number of trees planted each year was estimated using an average
of the number of trees that survived annually from 2012 to 2017. Trend line is indicated in purple (y = 115e° 228x, R2
= 0.986).
Conclusions
The value of TRR is realized by the 165 tCO2e that have been diverted by the trees planted between 2012 and
2017. As these existing trees continue to age and more plants are added each year, the restoration of rural road
foliage in Clarington will enhance the region and benefit residents and wildlife in the area by reducing atmospheric
CO2 levels. By 2027, TRR will divert an estimated 4090 tCO2e, which is equivalent to the emissions generated by
340 individuals in Ontario over the course of a year.
Future Directions
Due to a lack of biometric data from the population of trees under investigation, all calculations are based on
growth models from data collected in the northeast United States. Growth conditions are similar to those found in
southeastern Ontario, however, differences in adjacent infrastructure, foliage, and population density, may
influence growth. Future investigations should aim to measure dbh for a sample of each species from each year of
planting, in order to determine biomass accumulation with greater accuracy.
Appendix A
Biomass Sample Calculation
The following calculation was conducted for each species included in TRR.
Species: Sugar Maple (A. Saccharum)
Growth Coefficients: a = 2.17085, b = 0.85396
Equation predicting dbh in cm from tree age in years': dbh = a + b(age)
Supplementary Table 1. Estimated dbh of A. Saccharum for Each Year of Growth
FAge (years) dbh (cm)
0 (at planting) 2.54
1 3.02481
2
3.87877
3
4.73273
4
5.58669
5
6.44065
6
7.29461
Supplementary Table 2. Total Accumulation of Biomass and CO2e for A. Saccharum for Each Year of Growth
*Based on the aIlometric equation for volume for A. Saccharum, Volume in m3 =0.0002835 x dbhz.sios°' and wood density is equal to 560kg/m3.
**Based on the approximation of below ground biomass constituting 28% of above ground biomass°.
***Based on 48.8% carbon content in angiosperms and the ratio of molar mass of CO2 (44.018/mol) and carbon (12.0107g/mol) = 3.66.
Age 0
Age 1
Age 2
Age 3
Age 4
Age 5
Age 6
*Above ground biomass (kg):
1.4
2.0
3.6
5.8
8.5
11.7
15.7
**Above and below ground biomass (kg):
,Annual addition of biomass (kg):
***Carbon Mass (g):
Mass CO2 diverted (kg):
1.8
2.6
4.7
7.4
10.8
15.0
20.0
1.8
2.0
3.6
5.8
8.5
11.7
15.7
854.7
999.7
1775.9
2812.6
4126.4
5732.1
7642.8
3.1
3.7
6.5
10.3
15.1
21.0
28.0
*Based on the aIlometric equation for volume for A. Saccharum, Volume in m3 =0.0002835 x dbhz.sios°' and wood density is equal to 560kg/m3.
**Based on the approximation of below ground biomass constituting 28% of above ground biomass°.
***Based on 48.8% carbon content in angiosperms and the ratio of molar mass of CO2 (44.018/mol) and carbon (12.0107g/mol) = 3.66.
Supplementary Table 3. Total CO2e Diverted by A. Saccharum Planted from 2012-2017.
Planting Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
# Surviving Trees
185
198
241
37
219
157
COZe Diverted (kg) in 2012
677.7
0
0
0
0
0
COZe Diverted (kg) in 2013
1203.9
725.3
0
0
0
0
COZe Diverted (kg) in 2014
1906.6
1288.5
882.8
0
0
0
COZe Diverted (kg) in 2015
2797.2
2040.6
1568.3
135.5
0
0
COZe Diverted (kg) in 2016
3885.6
2993.8
2483.7
240.8
802.2
0
COZe Diverted (kg) in 2017
5180.9
4158.7
3643.9
381.3
1425.1
575.1
Total COZe (tonnes) Diverted to Date: 39.0
Citations
1. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Greenhouse Gas
Emissions. (2017). Available at: www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/default.asp?fang=En&n=FBF8455E-1.
(Accessed: 15`" March 2018).
2. Government of Canada. Causes of climate change. (2009). Available at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/causes.htm1. (Accessed:
15th March 2018)
3. Chojnacky, D. C., Heath, L. S. & Jenkins, J. C. Updated generalized biomass equations for North American tree
species. For. Int. J. For. Res. 87, 129-151 (2014).
4. McPherson, E. G., Doorn, N. S. van & Peper, P. J. Urban tree database and allometric equations. Gen Tech Rep
PSW-GTR-253 Albany CA US Dep. Agric. For. Serv. Pac. Southwest Res. Stn. 86 P 253, (2016).
5. Thomas, S. C. & Martin, A. R. Carbon Content of Tree Tissues: A Synthesis. Forests 3, 332-352 (2012).
6. Government of Canada. Population by year, by province and territory (Number). (2017). Available at:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/101/cst01/demo02a-eng.htm. (Accessed: 15th March
2018)