Urban Forest Management Plan

Thank You For Your Contributions!

The second phase of engagement on the HRM's Urban Forest Management Plan has now ended. The UFMP project team is now in the process of compiling the findings from the summer 2025 engagement period, as well as undertaking revision to the UFMP in consideration of the feedback received. Stay tuned for an update later this year concerning next steps in the UFMP's development.

Public Engagement Summaries are Now Available

The first phase of public engagement in support of the UFMP occurred between February and May 2024. Public engagement summaries detailing the outcomes and findings from the first round of engagement are now available and includes:

• an Indigenous engagement summary
• an African Canadian/Nova Scotian summary
• an Acadian and Francophone Engagement summary
• a broad, regional community and stakeholder engagement summary

Additional summaries detailing phase one outcomes from targeted engagements with other communities will be made available later this summer.

The Draft Urban Forest Management Plan is Now Available

The draft Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) is now live! The UFMP maps a coordinated path forward for the sustainable management of the municipality's urban forest over upcoming decades. A 25-year horizon enables long-term forest planning while a regular 10-year review period supports adaptive management.

Planning for sustainable urban forest management enables cities to:

• identify and prioritize issues for urban forest management in consultation with the community
• enhance equity in access to ecosystem services provided by urban forests and improve public health and well-being by targeting interventions that reduce heat vulnerability and increase access to nature for under-served populations
• expand and connect tree canopy and green spaces to provide critical habitat for wildlife, support urban biodiversity and provide opportunities for residents to connect with nature
• allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that tree planting and maintenance efforts are directed towards areas with the greatest need and potential impact
• guide strategic planning and policy development in urban forestry to create more resilient, biodiverse and inclusive urban environments

The urban forest includes all trees, forests, green space, soils and ecosystems located within the municipality’s boundary, including trees and forests within the rural areas. The urban forest occurs on public and private yards, from urban to rural or forested landscapes. Trees are an important community asset because they provide many environmental, social, and economic benefits. Some of these benefits include cooling air temperatures, cleaning air, offering high-quality recreational opportunities and providing habitat to support biodiversity.

The municipality is updating the 2013 Urban Forest Master Plan to adapt urban forest management to changing conditions and wants to involve community members in the process. A particular focus will be placed on working with previously under-represented community groups including Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, newcomers, people with disabilities and the francophone community.

Work to update the plan began in the fall 2023 and is expected to be completed in the fall 2024.