GP1.2Manage and restore natural areas through Natural Area Management Plans

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• 2026

  1.2.1 Natural Area Management Plan

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  Description: Develop a template for Natural Area Management Plans that includes management, restoration, monitoring, and asset management considerations. Prepare Natural Area Management Plans for prioritized sites.

  Status: Two sites from the City's natural areas inventory were selected as pilots for Natural Area Management Plans (NAMPs): The Small Swale and Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA).

  Natural Area Management and Conceptual Master Plans for the Small Swale and RSBBAA were prepared and approved by City Council in 2024. Funding was received through the City's Natural Infrastructure Fund to complete a first phase of enhancements at RSBBAA, in alignment with the Management and Master Plan.

  Green Pathways Timeline: Development to start in 2022. Operationalize between 2026-2031.

• 2026

  1.2.3 Tree protection in natural and naturalized areas

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  Description: Identify the need for policy or management plans to manage trees that are outside the scope of the Parks Department’s existing tree inventory (e.g., native and naturalized tree stands, afforestation areas).

  Status: In 2024, a new Tree Protection Bylaw was adopted, including an update to the Trees on City Property Policy (C09-011). Specifications were updated to establish tree protection requirements for civic projects. The bylaw and policy apply to all trees, including natural stands and afforestation areas, on City property; they do not apply to trees on private lands.

  Tree protection in future growth areas may be supported through the development of natural area management plans, policies, or processes.

  Green Pathways Timeline: Development to start in 2022. Operationalize between 2026-2031.

• 2028

  1.2.2 Natural area restoration processes

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  Description: Formalize the process of wetland mitigation through avoidance, minimization, and compensation or replacement during development. Identify and prioritize opportunities to restore existing wetlands.

  Status: A wetland mitigation plan standard and procedure were developed to help define the City's wetland compensation processes.

  Green Pathways Timeline: Development to start in 2022. Operationalize between 2028-31.