Tree Advocacy Planting Program - All Wards

The Economic Development and Parks Committee recommends:

(1)the adoption of the joint report (September 20, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate, subject to deleting Recommendation No. (2) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"(2)that, upon adoption by City Council of the aforementioned report, City Council forward same to the Budget Advisory Committee for consideration of the funding aspect of the Tree Planting Program during the 2000 Capital Budget deliberations; and"; and

(2)the adoption of the recommendations of the Environmental Task Force embodied in report (September 28, 1999) from the City Clerk, being the expansion of the Tree Advocacy Planting Program to include:

(a)the planting of additional trees in each Ward in the Year 2000; and

(b)the criteria for expanding the Tree Advocacy Planting Program have the flexibility to include major intersections, industrial areas and other locations, as identified by the local Councillor(s) in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate.

The Economic Development Committee reports, for the information of City Council, having:

(i)referred the communication (October 1, 1999) from the Toronto Civic Employees' Union, Local 416, to Councillor Pantalone, Chair of Committee, and the Mayor's office for its consideration in the development of the Tree Planting Program;

(ii)requested that the Tree Advocate:

(a)investigate the possibility of inviting the School Boards to participate in the Tree Planting Program by having children plant trees which would enhance the Program, as well as having the children involved in the Program on a long term basis; and

(b)investigate whether a 'Plant a Tree for the Millennium' program could be established which would encourage residents to request that a tree be planted on the City-owned boulevard in front of their property; and

(iii)requested that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

(a)report back to the Economic Development and Parks Committee on a policy with regard to compensating homeowners that sustain damage to their property, i.e. drains, driveways, etc., caused by the growth of City-owned trees in front of their property, the said report to be in consultation with the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services; and

(b)submit an update, on a regular basis, on sponsorships with the corporate sector and community involvement in the Tree Planting Program.

The Economic Development and Parks Committee submits the following joint report (September 20, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate:

Purpose:

At its meeting held on May 11 and 12, 1999, after recognizing the importance of tree preservation and renewal, Toronto City Council appointed Councillor Joe Pantalone as the City's Tree Advocate. Council adopted a motion acknowledging that the Urban Forest "is a City asset, making the City of Toronto an even more attractive place to live, work and visit, as well as being a proven way of combatting environmental air pollution." Council resolved that the Tree Advocate, supported by the appropriate City Staff, identify as many publicly owned locations as possible for tree planting in the Millennium Year of 2000. Council further directed that the Tree Advocate's report be considered at its meeting to be held on October 26, 27 and 28, 1999.

This report outlines the cooperative work undertaken by Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Works and Emergency Services and the City's Tree Advocate Joe Pantalone. It recommends steps to implement Council's direction to create a Tree Advocacy Planting Program for the Year 2000.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The program outlined in this report is designed as 50:50 fund matching between the City and corporate sponsors or other funding sources. Economic Development, Culture and Tourism is requesting $500,000.00 in their 2000 capital budget, which would be used with matching funds, as they become available, to fund specific planting projects. Support of the Department's capital request, if fully matched through in-kind contributions, partnerships and sponsors, could lead up to $1 million of planting.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)City Council approve, in principle, the Tree Advocacy Planting Program that will achieve the planting of approximately 60,000 trees for the Year 2000 as outlined in this report;

(2)this report be forwarded to the Policy and Finance Committee and that the funding required be considered by the Budget Advisory Committee and Council as part of the 2000 Capital Program; and

(3)the appropriate City officials in collaboration with the Tree Advocate, Councillor Pantalone:

(a)develop a program of community involvement for the tree plantings;

(b)authorize staff to solicit sponsorships and in-kind donations to implement this program as a Millennium project; and

(c)take all necessary actions as may be required to give effect to these recommendations.

Comments:

The Urban Forest is defined as trees and other vegetation within an area of intensive human influence - this refers to the inner city as well as suburban areas. Components of the urban forest are shade trees, street trees, wood lots, natural areas, and open fields in various stages of plant development, wetlands, ravines and riverbanks. In addition to trees, the urban forest includes shrubs, mosses, ferns, grasses, herbs, birds, mammals, fungi, bacteria and other small organisms, as well as soils, water and minerals.

The City of Toronto is a City of trees. Trees dominate our ravines, and many of the City's streets and parks. Including trees in the City's ravines, three million trees line our City's boulevards and beautify our parks. The Urban Forestry section of Parks and Recreation seeks to protect and maintain these trees, which have become an integral element of our neighbourhood and business communities.

The goal of the Urban Forestry section is to manage the urban forest, developing a sustainable ecosystem to provide long term environmental, social and economic benefits. This work draws on traditional elements of forest management and innovative forestry principles.

One important principle of a sustainable urban forest is to ensure that sufficient trees are planted to replenish the urban forest canopy. Constant pressures of construction and reconstruction of buildings and city infrastructure create a difficult environment in which to sustain the urban forest. It is, therefore, extremely important that new tree planting remains a high priority for the overall health and well being of the City. While forestry does not have complete computer records of all trees planted and removed along streets for the entire City, the general experience is that the total number of street trees in the City has remained constant over the last decade. In the former City of Toronto where there were complete computer records, the total number of trees along streets grew by approximately 800 trees over the past ten years. The static tree population is mainly due to the fact that development competes for space with trees and that insufficient funds existed in most areas to do extensive new tree planting.

Value of trees

Trees make our City a better place to live in a variety of distinct yet related ways.

Sustainability and enhancement of the urban forest is paramount to having a healthy City. For residents, trees provide a soft relief to the City's hard textured landscape. They offer privacy screens, protect us from the sun's burning rays, and absorb ozone, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and other harmful pollutants. Trees provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, protect soils from erosion, cool streets in the summer, and protect us from winds in winter.

Trees have clear economic benefits. The three million trees that line the streets and grace the parks and ravines of Toronto contribute indelibly to our City's image, and help to attract investors and tourists. At the same time, to the benefit of the City's homeowners, healthy trees have been shown to add an average of 15 percent to the value of homes. If planted in strategic locations, trees can reduce home heating and cooling requirements, thereby offsetting energy consumption. They play a large role in absorbing rainwater, significantly reducing the cost of storm water management.

The Urban Forest further supports the environment in countless ways. Trees produce the oxygen needed to breathe and reduce carbon dioxide, which might otherwise contribute to global warming. Mature trees can annually sequester up to six kilograms of carbon. Trees reduce storm water runoff, which would otherwise pollute watercourses. It must also be recognized that, over the years, municipally organized tree plantings have served as a catalyst to many other environmental initiatives.

Trees are necessary as resting and feeding places for migratory birds like warblers, and migratory insects such as the monarch butterfly. Trees are essential components of complicated ecosystems, which are still the focus of extensive scientific study. The role of trees in promoting health and a beneficial environment in the City is emerging alongside the recognized importance of trees and their products to modern medicine and healthy human existence.

Past and Present Forestry Initiatives

Forestry staff are currently reviewing the tree planting programs of the seven former municipalities. Trees were planted under various programs that included residential and commercial street tree plantings, ravine and naturalization plantings, park and park development plantings, and numerous tree replacement programs. In some sections of the City, the Forestry sections had a long cooperative history of volunteer tree planting participation. Plantings in ravines and parks had often been accomplished through the enthusiastic participation of volunteers, students, children of all ages, and environment groups. Staff remains very enthusiastic about the popular growth of this aspect of forest management. The City has gained the benefit of greater environmental awareness and increased ecological integrity as a result of these programs. Our staff and volunteers have been invited to share these experiences at colleges, universities and conferences internationally.

In addition to plantings undertaken by Forestry, the Works and Transportation Departments of the former municipalities have a long history of including tree plantings and other vegetative improvements as part of both major and minor capital works projects.

The Environmental Task Force, as part of one of their environmental quick starts, has identified the reinstatement of options to expand the former Metro Council's green space naturalization program for road corridors. Sites identified as projects for the year 2000 tree plantings have been selected from this former initiative as outlined further in this report.

Most recently, City Council at its meeting of September 28, 29, and 30, 1999 will consider support for maintaining our Urban Forest by expressing its intention to clear the Tree Service and Maintenance Backlog. This report is being recommended by the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, the City's Economic Development and Parks Committee, the Budget Advisory Committee, and the Policy and Finance Committee.

Tree Advocacy Initiatives to Date

Since our working committee was founded in mid May, we have met six times to concentrate specifically on Council's resolution to develop a Tree Advocacy Planting Program for the Year 2000. Councillor Joe Pantalone chaired these meetings with the active support of representatives from Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Parks and Recreation Division, and Works and Emergency Services Department, Transportation Services and Technical Services Divisions.

Simply stated, in the year 2000, under the Tree Advocacy Planting Program, 16 sites geographically distributed along major Toronto transportation corridors will be planted with 60,000 trees of varying size.

Our working committee established the following guidelines for this planting:

-the Tree Advocacy Planting Program will be in addition to the normal year to year forestry and parks planting programs;

-highly visual locations for large "mass" planting of trees will be selected to promote urban forest regeneration and attract sponsorship from interested corporations or individuals;

-species chosen for these plantings will be preferably native and definitely noninvasive as well as tolerant of environmental conditions which are unique to each site;

-all sites chosen are to be sufficiently large and set back from the travelled portion of the road so that airborne salt spray will not affect plant material;

-currently vacant or empty sites of ¼ acre or larger will be considered for plantings;

-these locations will be planted on a "one metre centre" that will result in the planting of approximately 4,000 trees per acre with the potential of planting of 60,000 trees in the year 2000;

-a combination of large and small trees will be used on the sites with larger caliper trees used on its periphery giving a strong visual impact;

-staff will prepare a budget for the project which would include initial capital costs, ongoing maintenance costs, including watering and long-term pruning, litter removal costs, and present it within the capital program; and

-volunteers and community organizations will be used to help plant the locations that are accessible and safe to the public.

At the initial meeting of the working committee, Parks staff presented a report entitled "Selection of Naturalization Sites for Metro Toronto Road Corridors". The report reviewed 100 locations across Toronto for developing naturalization planting sites adjacent to major arterial roads. With substantive revisions, we agreed that some sites identified for naturalization would be appropriate locations for the Tree Advocacy Planting Program. Consequently, our program began with a notably quick "start". After reviewing this report and agreeing on the above stated guidelines, Forestry and Works staff arranged visits of the targeted locations to review utility locations and visually confirm suitability for planting.

The following sites meet the criteria as outlined and are being recommended for the Tree Advocacy Planting Program (Appendix "A"):

(1)the open green space at four corners of the Queensway and Kingsway intersection - Ward 19;

(2)Adelaide Street East at Parliament Street by Richmond Street/Don Valley Parkway overpass - Ward 25;

(3)the west slope of Bayview Avenue just north of Rosedale Valley Ravine Road - Ward 23;

(4)the intersection of the Don Valley Parkway and Taylor Creek - Ward 1;

(5)the north west corner of Warden Avenue and St Clair Avenue West - Ward 13;

(6)the north side of Finch Avenue at Highway 27 - Ward 5;

(7)the right of way at Eglinton Avenue West and lslington Avenue - Ward 3;

(8)the right of way at Eglinton Avenue West and Royal York Road - Ward 3;

(9)along Allen Road between Sheppard Avenue and Wilson Avenue - Ward 8;

(10)along Allen Road between Eglinton Avenue and Lawrence Avenue - Ward 22 and Ward 8;

(11)Don Mills Road at Moatfield - Ward 11;

(12)Meadowvale Avenue from Sheppard Avenue to Finch Avenue -Ward 18;

(13)the corner parkette at Eglinton Avenue East and Kingston Road - Ward 13;

(14)Finch Avenue at Kennedy Road - Ward 17;

(15)Bayview Avenue at Pottery Road - Ward ; and

(16)Eglinton Flats, Eglinton Avenue Flankage - Ward 27.

Parks and City Works staff have reviewed the above noted sites for utility clearances and determined they are acceptable from an engineering standpoint. It is our goal to plant trees at these sites in the spring and fall of 2000 as millennium projects for the City. We have established a detailed implementation plan for the year 2000 (Appendix "B").

The tree advocacy initiative is compatible with the comprehensive strategic priorities plan for civic improvement projects prepared by Urban Planning and Development Services. This plan identifies locations, in all four districts, suitable for capital budget projects, which will substantially improve the quality of public spaces and enhance amenities for pedestrians. In most locations, the improvements are concentrated on decorative paving, planting, lighting, street furniture and public art. Quite often the most significant improvement, both visually and functionally, is achieved by extensive tree planting, especially along major suburban arterial roads.

In addition to the above stated 16 sites and as a direct result of our meetings, three mass tree plantings (over 1,000 trees) are being scheduled as a Fall 1999 "kick off" to the Tree Advocate Planting Program. The Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRAC) originally planned these plantings. The sites have been enlarged to include adjacent City owned property. All three plantings will take place between late September and mid October 1999, and in keeping with forestry management principles, the installation will be undertaken with community groups. The selected sites include:

-Milne Hollow Park. This site is adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway. We are attempting to visually screen out the parkway on the south end of the park. This planting is part of a larger ecological effort to restore a number of vegetation communities at this location. The project will consist of planting about 350 trees and shrubs (Ward 11 - North York).

-North Toronto Treatment Plant. This planting would be the first in a series that will attempt to create appropriate habitat in areas around the treatment plant that have been otherwise maintained by traditional methods such as grass cutting. This project will consist of about 400 trees and shrubs (Ward 1 - East York).

-Domtar/Polyresins. This site is adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway and is part of a series of plantings, which will screen the parkway. The planting will consist of about 300 trees and shrubs (Ward 1 East York).

Besides the specific and detailed work of the working committee, Councillor Pantalone contacted the Mayor and City Councillors requesting their advice for the program, locations and community organizations.

To date, the Mayor and 17 Councillors across the City of Toronto have offered suggestions for locations in need of trees and also volunteered the support of local community organizations. Councillor Pantalone has also explored community and funding sources including the Federal Government, Toronto Hydro, Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Trade Unions, Oxford Shopping Centres, and the Boy Scouts.

The appended partnership list (Appendix "C") is representative of the tree-planting partnerships involving the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto prior to 1995. Groups, which worked in partnership with the cities, which make up the new Toronto, as well as more recent partners of the former regional government, would significantly extend this listing. The length of even this limited list is a clear indication of the strong community interest in planting trees and the City's critical role as a catalyst for new plantings. Planting partnerships with some of these groups along with new community groups will be developed to facilitate plantings in appropriate Tree Advocate locations.

The program is well underway and, with the establishment of the Tree Advocacy Plantings, we fully anticipate that the City will continue their commitment to the renewal and sustainability of Toronto's urban forest.

Discussion of Budget, Sponsorship and Funding Options

The Tree Advocacy Planting Program costs are currently estimated to be $50,000.00 per acre. This figure allows for planting a substantial number of trees, 4,047 trees on a metre centre. The cost includes labour, trees, brush blankets and a two-year pruning and watering maintenance program. The maintenance program is essential to the establishment of these trees.

Therefore, funding the first phase of the Tree Advocacy Planting Program requires a gross base amount of $1 million in the year 2000. A capital-funding request for $500,000.00 is being requested in the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department capital budget submission. Efforts to secure sponsors, receive in-kind contributions, and establish partnerships through the private sector and other levels of government are required to match City funding.

Fundraising for the Tree Advocacy Planting Program will take a multi-dimensional approach. City staff will work closely with community organizations and environmental groups in researching and soliciting grants that are available from public and private foundations and provincial and federal government programs. This would include the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, the Canada Trust Environmental Foundation and the Trillium Foundation.

In addition, staff will conduct a comprehensive campaign to solicit support for the program through tax receiptable donations and gifts from Toronto residents and corporations. The winter issue of the "Toronto Fun" Parks and Recreation Guide will include information to promote the program.

Once Council support for the program is received, a corporate sponsorship "Adopt a Forest" campaign will be launched. The campaign will include marketing materials to promote the program, media relations, direct mailing to major corporations and service organizations in the City and appropriate recognition and acknowledgements.

Contact Names:

Mr. Bill Johnston, Councillor Joe Pantalone's Office, 392-4108; Mr. Richard Ubbens, R.P.F., City Forester, 392-1894; Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate, 392-4009; Mr. T.W. Mulligan, Director, Transportation Programming and Policy, 392-8329.

Insert Table/Map No. 1

Appendices "A", "B" and "C"

Year 2000 Proposed Sites

Insert Table/Map No. 2

Appendices "A", "B" and "C"

Potential Planting Sites

Insert Table/Map No. 3

Appendices "A", "B" and "C"

Partnerships

 Insert Table/Map No. 4

Appendices "A", "B" and "C"

Partnerships cont'd

(Communication dated September 28, 1999 addressed to

the Economic Development and Parks Committee from the City Clerk)

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Economic Development and Parks Committee be advised that the Environmental Task Force endorses the Tree Advocacy Planting Program referred to in the joint report dated September 20, 1999 from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate; and

(2)consideration be given to expand the Tree Advocacy Planting Program to include:

(a)the planting of additional trees in each Ward in the Year 2000; and

(b)the criteria for expanding the Tree Advocacy Planting Program have the flexibility to include major intersections, industrial areas and other locations, as identified by the local councillor(s) in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate.

Background:

The Environmental Task Force at its meeting held on September 27, 1999 had before it a memorandum dated September 21, 1999 from Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate, forwarding a copy of a joint report dated September 20, 1999 from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate, requesting that the Environmental Task Force to endorse and support the tree planting project, as outlined in the noted joint report.

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The Economic Development and Parks Committee also had before it the following communications, and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk:

(a)(September 20, 1999) from Mr. Temple W. Harris, President, Toronto Construction Association, advising of the TCA's support for the Tree Advocacy Planting Program and offering assistance of the Association;

(b)(June 21, 1999) from Ms. Victoria Henriques, Secretary, Scout Troop 46, Scouts Canada, thanking Councillor Joe Pantalone, Trinity Niagara, for the invitation to participate in the tree planting millennium project; advising that the Scouts would be available from September 1999; and requesting staff to contact her to organize the details;

(c)(October 1, 1999) from Mr. Placido Lopes, Toronto, Ontario, expressing his full support for the Tree Advocacy Planting Program;

(d)(October 4, 1999) from Mr. Ferg Devins, Director, Corporate Affairs, Molson Canada - Ontario Division, in support of the Tree Advocacy Planting Program;

(e)(October 1, 1999) from Mr. Reginald Lewis, Honorary Colonel, The Royal Regiment of Canada, in support of the Tree Advocacy Planting Program;

(f)(October 3, 1999) from Mr. Michael Izzard, P.Eng., LL.B, and Associates, Toronto, Ontario, in support of the Tree Advocacy Planting Program;

(g)(October 1, 1999) from Mr. Brian Cochrane, President, Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416, in support of the Tree Advocacy Planting Program.

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The following persons appeared before the Economic Development and Parks Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Ms. Janet McKay, Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF);

-Mr. Tony Digiovanni, Landscape Ontario, Horticultural Trades Association; and

-Councillor Joe Pantalone, Tree Advocate.