The District of West Vancouver is receiving funding from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, to enhance local tree canopy in the community.
The funding will enable the planting of 500 trees of varying species within the District, including in high density areas, and on streets and on slopes where trees are needed to provide shading, and to minimize runoff and erosion during heavy rain by absorbing excess water. This planting program will support the District’s target of 52% tree canopy cover, a part of the 15-year vision of West Vancouver’s Urban Forest Management Plan.
Mayor Mark Sager shares, “West Vancouver is grateful to our Federal Government for their support of our urban forest which is essential to our community’s character, health, and well-being. Healthy trees and resilient forests have helped our community mitigate and adapt to climate change, with benefits of this work including rainwater management, slope stabilization, shading and cooling of our creeks and streets, storing carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and providing habitat for wildlife. By planting healthy trees that are resilient to the changing climate, we will continue to enhance our urban forest to deliver benefits across this beautiful community.”
Improvements to the urban forest will build resiliency against climate change and continue to provide important ecosystem services. West Vancouver is one of three communities receiving funding to improve natural infrastructure while protecting the local environment.
Federal government invests in natural infrastructure enhancements across British Columbia - Canada.ca