Langford approves new plan to manage the city’s urban forest areas

Langford’s city council has approved a final version of the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) which will guide City staff in their vision for these areas for many years to come. 

This UFMP details what the current extent and condition of Langford’s urban forest are and establishes a strategic framework to meet the vision, target, and goals for Langford’s urban forest over the next 25 years.

This plan includes 14 strategies, 65 actions, 16 priority actions and seven quick start actions which Langford will implement to meet the aspirations of this plan.

These goals will lead to:

• A balance between enhancing Langford’s urban forest areas and urban growth
• Ensure every resident has equitable access to urban forest
• Maintain healthy urban forests that can withstand the impacts of climate change

This plan will guide the City’s efforts at ensuring long-term sustainability of the urban forests within their rapidly expanding and densifying communities. 

To achieve their goals, the City says they will employ evidence-based forest management practices and embrace community partnerships. 

In the city council meeting that saw the UFMP approved, the city council also approved one of the quick start actions to get started on this plan. 

The first action will see the City hire for the position of an arborist. They will then subsequently implement a new Tree Protection Bylaw. 

This Tree Protection Bylaw has already received first, second and third readings and will replace an interim bylaw that has been in place for the past two years. 

The bylaw is designed and structured to utilize best practices, address gaps in the administration of the interim bylaw and incorporate community priorities based on public feedback campaigns. 

The City of Langford encourages residents to visit Let’s Chat Langford to review the plan.