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Home My WebLink AboutPSD-004-16 Clarington Planning Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. Report To: Planning and Development Committee Date of Meeting: January 11, 2016 Report Number: PSD-004-16 ersok File Number: PLN 17.1.6 By-law Number: Report Subject: Environmental Stewardship, 2015 Annual Report Recommendation: 1. That Report PSD-004-16 be received for information. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-004-16 Page 2 Report Overview Council has provided annual funding for an ongoing environmental stewardship program. The environmental stewardship program encourages private citizens and groups to carry out initiatives that improve municipal lands, such as valleylands and other natural areas. Since 2011, this program has expanded to restore tree-lined country roads. The benefits of the program go beyond the monetary value of the projects as they include increased tree canopy cover and wildlife habitat, climate change mitigation, community beautification, local history preservation, and community engagement through volunteerism. In 2015, 307 saplings were planted along rural roads. In addition, the Municipality and Durham Region collaborated on a tree planting at Old Scugog Road adjacent to Regional Road 57. 1 . Background Since 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, the municipal contribution is being matched by in-kind contributions (labour and/or materials), and that the project meets the long-term objectives of the Municipality. The purpose of this report is to inform Council of how the funds have been used in 2015. 1.1. Trees for Rural Roads In 2011, the Municipality of Clarington initiated the Trees for Rural Roads (TRR) program in partnership with Central Lake Ontario Region Conservation Authority and Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority. The goal of the program is to restore trees along country roads for the benefit of the environment, local communities and recreate the historical landscape or tree-lined roadways. Trees are offered free of charge to rural residents to be planted on private property adjacent to the 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. Based on the initial success of the TRR program in 2012 it has offered annually. 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 over 300 saplings were distributed and planted throughout Clarington (Attachment 1 — Map of the roadways planted to date). Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-004-16 Page 4 Clarington has "lead the way" with the TRR program which is being adopted by other local municipalities, such as Port Hope and Hamilton Township. Additional programs for the renewal of urban street trees is necessary to address the adverse effects of the Emerald Ash Borer, canopy damage from severe storms and climate change. In the 2016 budget a request for additional funds has been included as we are looking forward to the 150th anniversary of Canada in 2017. We would like to commemorate that milestone with a community initiative that would see the planting of a 150 maple trees as a grove on municipal lands. 4. Strategic Plan Application The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan to entrance our unique natural environment and promote resident engagement in our community. Pn Submitted by: Reviewed 1 _ David . Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu, Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, 905-623-3379 ext. 2407 or flangmaid@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 —Trees for Rural Roads Map of Plantings for 2012 - 2015 List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision is on file in the Planning Services Department. DJC/FL/sg Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-004-16 Page 3 Since 2013 the program has received funding from Maple Leaves Forever, 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. Y H i L Y During the summers, a feedback survey of TRR participants is undertaken. Feedback received helps improve the program for future years. Participants were very positive about the TRR and its goal. Overall survival rate this year appears to be in the 80% range on average with the silver maples being more susceptible to die off this year. All 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 is very high. 1.2. Old Scuqoq and Regional Road 57 Late in 2013 we were contacted by residents on the cul-de-sac where Old Scugog runs parallel to Regional Road 57. Some street tree planting had occurred when the subdivision was built (circa 2000); however, the realignment and road work on Regional Road 57 plus the development of the Northglen subdivision provided impetus for the residents to request additional planting. The Region infilled with a number of spruce trees on their property and the Municipality provided funding for the installation of 6 maples on our road right of way. These plantings are in a location that when the road is shifted to the east they will not be impacted. 2. Concurrence Not applicable. 3. Conclusion There has been good response to the Environmental Stewardship Program in Clarington. Since 2002 over $70,000.00 has been invested in numerous projects; however, the value of the in-kind contributions is much more. The benefits of the program 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. * Ly--LA! _ `_7- - �� c.-read Y _ �,r, =1� "``I, , ! r ' Trees for Rural Roads 2012-2015 "- �i/8 OII n s( 4Gan -'-f�=�� ILL— I - CII�'C � { IN r 1�- ��• j T-:1T . 45 �- I h= Ff s �_ � O --- - 1 .14 -_ Ip I 1 �1-, LI l s, �h'�S�t� - — - �,� IT _, _ s -+ - I Iq Lq r I � - - I I =1 i w I �y I I _ r I ch S Ir i Lake Ontario r „ 3.5 Kilometres T �- --