Vancouver’s new urban forest strategy faces challenges, academic says [Video]

Vancouver councillors have approved an updated plan for growing the city’s urban forest, but a forestry professor says there are challenges ahead.

The city’s goal is to increase its canopy cover – how much of the city is covered by leaves and branches when seen from above – from about 25 per cent of the city to 30 per cent by 2050, according to the updated urban forest strategy.

The plan sets a target to plant about 165,000 new trees over the next 25 years, and encourages residents to plant trees in their own backyards.

And while the plan has drawn praise from one expert, both city councillors and staff have acknowledged there will be difficulties in meeting the goals set out in the report.

Stephen Sheppard, …