THE City of Surrey is launching the first of two rounds of public engagement seeking input to be used in the development of the new Urban Forest Management Strategy. The strategy will guide the future management of all trees on private and public land in Surrey. Residents and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the kind of role the City should play in managing all trees in Surrey. The City is encouraging residents to get involved by taking the survey and visiting the project page to ask questions. Public survey closes June 20.

“We are committed to balancing healthy environments and the City’s need for growth and development,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “Surrey’s urban tree canopy is one of our greatest resources and we are asking for community input to help shape the City’s Urban Forest Management Strategy. When completed, the strategy will help set a clear course for the future management of trees in Surrey. I invite you to take our survey about Surrey’s urban forest and tell us what you think.”

The City of Surrey says it is committed to protecting its urban forest. The new Urban Forest Management Strategy will align with existing policies that protect trees including: Tree Protection Bylaw, No. 16100, Shade Tree Management Plan, Natural Area Management Plan, Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and the Sustainability Charter 2.0.

Staff will be using the input gathered from the first round of consultation to develop a draft version of the Strategy which will be shared with the public during the second round of engagement in the fall.

Take the survey and learn more: surrey.ca/urbanforest.