Why is the City of Edmonton looking for sites to naturalize or plant trees?

    • Edmonton is growing and we need to be Greener as we Grow. Making Edmonton greener will protect our health, environment and quality of life. 

    • Greener As We Grow - one of The City Plan's Big City Moves - outlines a commitment to protection and conservation of our urban forest while driving climate resilience by planting two million new trees as the population grows to two million people. This target is part of a larger goal outlined in the Urban Forest Asset Management Plan to reach 20 per cent forest canopy coverage in Edmonton by 2071.

    • To reach these ambitious goals, the City of Edmonton will be using a combination of naturalization and boulevard and open space tree planting.

    What is the Naturalization, Restoration and Reclamation Plan (NRRP)?

    • The NRRP is a long-term plan the City of Edmonton is developing to guide our approach to urban naturalization, restoration and reclamation. 

    • It will replace the previous 1994 Naturalization Master Plan. 

    • The new plan will: 

      • Determine where naturalization will best help meet urban forest canopy and tree planting goals for the next eight years 

      • Update processes and criteria for site selection, planning, budgeting and implementation, including species suited to Edmonton’s climate, geography, soils and ecology

      • Update processes and best practices for ongoing monitoring and maintenance

      • Enhance community involvement and stewardship

    What is the Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping Tool?

    The Green Infrastructure Mapping Expansion tool is a GIS map the City is developing to identify potential new sites for naturalization and boulevard and open space tree planting.

    How will my feedback be used?

    • Your feedback will contribute to the development of the NRRP and the Green Infrastructure Mapping Expansion tool will help us determine where to plant. 

    • Insights shared will also help improve the City’s communications and education work around naturalization and planting boulevard and open space trees.

    I don’t see my neighbourhood in the Story Map - does that mean no planting or naturalization is planned?

    • The locations shown in the Mapping Tour section of the Story Map are meant to provide examples of the types of areas where naturalization and/or tree planting could occur. 

    • They are located in districts that have been identified as a priority for planting in the next eight years but, just because a district isn’t identified in the Story Map, does not mean naturalization and/or tree planting won’t occur there. 

    Will the City be doing any future engagement on proposed naturalization sites with neighbourhoods directly?

    • Prior to completing any naturalization or planting trees in a neighbourhood, the City is committed to notifying the neighbourhood and, depending on the complexity of the site, may also conduct public engagement. 

    • At a high level, factors that could result in neighbourhood engagement  include: 

      • The proposed naturalization and/or tree planting site in in close proximity to homes or businesses 

      • There are a lack of other open green spaces in the area

      • The size of the proposed site is large (more than 3000 m2 - about the size of two NHL rinks)

      • There has been increasing resident involvement or inquiries