Sustainable Guelph Oct 1 2009

Guelph Urban Forest Friends Sustainable Guelph www.guffguelph.ca

Guelph Urban Forest Friends (GUFF) We are a group of citizens advocating for Low Impact Development (LID) and an urban forestry department to maintain and increase the health, integrity and area of Guelph’s tree canopy

Purpose of presentation

To stress the importance of trees in a healthy community

To outline the current development practices that harm trees in our urban environment

To show the benefits of Low Impact Development (LID)

To outline actions for change

The importance of trees for health

Trees improve air quality by removing many harmful substances from the air including:

carbon dioxide

nitrous oxide

sulphur dioxide

ozone

the very damaging particulates

University of Guelph

Air quality affects health costs

The Ontario Government spends over $0.5 billion each year on health costs related to poor air quality

Over 5,000 people die every year in Ontario from conditions associated with poor quality air

Thousands more are hospitalized

From: “The Illness Costs of Air Pollution”, OMA

Trees combat climate change

Trees reduce greenhouse gases by capturing carbon dioxide

Large healthy trees are important for our tree canopy

www.treesontario.ca

Two similar homes. The house on the left has significantly decreased heating & air conditioning costs. Trees reduce energy needs

“ A study in Charlottesville, VA showed that when tree cover dropped by 8% between 1976 – 2000, the amount of run-off increased by 19%” GRCA Forester Virginia Gauley, GRCA Watershed Report Trees enhance river quality

Removal of healthy trees increases run-off. This degrades water resources with pollutants and sediment from roads and rooftops. Trees reduce run-off to river after storms

Trees stabilize the amount of after-storm river flow. “ Our city needs a stable amount of river water for wastewater management” GRCA Watershed Report “Investing in Trees” Trees affect after-storm river volume

Hanlon Creek Business Park, where aquifers of the Paris/Galt moraine are recharged. Guelph water comes from the Paris/Galt moraine. Trees and soil filter rain and snow-melt, which increases ground water for Guelph

Properties with mature trees sell for 10-25% more than those without trees Trees increase property value

Mammals, birds and insects need trees

Some pollinators require specific trees

Trees provide habitat and food

“ Southern Ontario has the strongest UV radiation in Canada. The greatest protection is afforded by trees with dense wide canopies and low foliage.” Shade for Good Health and a Green City, Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition

Trees enhance health by providing shade and UV protection for outdoor activities

reduced sun exposure encourages walking and biking

UV radiation in the early years is a major determinant for skin cancer, increased risk of other cancers and cataracts

UV radiation can also depress the immune system

“ Shade for Good Health and a Green City”, Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition

80% of all UV radiation is accumulated in the first 18 years

Schools grounds and parks are prime settings for Shade Policy Children spend 25% of the school day outdoors “ Shade for Good Health and a Green City”, Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition

Trees reduce stress

Park-like settings increase health and well-being

Royal City Park www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Trees contribute to our heritage value Designated heritage property includes heritage trees

But many current practices are reducing our forest canopy and lowering our resistance to climate stress. This is making our city less sustainable

We need to practice Low Impact Development (LID) to have a sustainable future

Low Impact Development (LID) places roads and pipes outside treed hedgerows, preserving natural benefits of healthy ecosystems. This reduces costs and greenhouse gases, thereby increasing sustainability. Low impact development preserves natural benefits ! Source: LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound. Puget Sound Action Team, Washington State University Pierce County Extension. January 2005. Graphic by AHBL Engineering.

Current development practice BEFORE AFTER Victoria Road: tree branches stripped prior to removal Heritage trees are removed, heritage home remains

An ambient temperature of 26 degrees can increase to 48-55 degrees on paved surfaces. The effects on health are considerable. ( Shade for Good Health and a Green City, Toronto 2007) Current development practice

Interspersing trees in paved areas reduces the ‘heat island’ effect and deterioration of asphalt Parking lot in Munich, Germany, Oct 2007

‘ Places to Grow’ legislation compels Guelph to grow to 165,000 population by 2031 This means thousands of new, infill homes for our city of 115,000 www.guelph.ca

Current infill practice BEFORE AFTER 13 healthy trees were removed from this infill lot, two on city property. LID would have retained some.

Same lot; The new house has increased storm-water run-off, reduced groundwater infiltration and increased energy demand

When roots are cut, trees can starve or topple

Most feeder roots for a tree are in the top foot of soil

Roots are frequently cut close to the tree

Photo: mass.edu/urbantree/hazard

Compaction also damages roots

Trees with damaged roots can die within five years

LID would protect these trees to the drip-line (outer edge of the canopy)

1991 ( Park Naturalization Policy )

tree by-law must be revised "in order to control the number of trees, woodlots & habitat destroyed annually by development"

1994 ( Green Plan )

"Methods for protecting trees from development should be developed“

2003 ( Environmental Action Plan)

recommends tree inventory, updating tree by-law to protect natural features and developing guidelines to protect trees during construction

2005 ( Council resolution)

asks staff to prepare funding request for urban forest study and tree maintenance program

2007 ( Strategic Plan Goal 6.6)

“ A biodiverse city with the highest tree canopy among comparable cities”

Guelph’s policies and intentions

In 2009

Guelph is still losing trees and canopy due to high impact development and no protective tree policy

18 years of inaction on many plans has resulted in the removal of thousands of trees from our canopy

Guelph’s current situation

40% tree canopy is advised for cities to withstand the negative effects of climate change Guelph currently has about 27% tree canopy New plantings take 20-25 years before they add to canopy

Hanlon Creek, headwaters of the Grand River, where development plans to mass-grade hundreds of acres that will result in the loss of moraine features, 1700 mature trees, 33 acres of canopy and 6 acres of wetland Environmental Implementation Report 2009

In June 2009, a local developer leveled over 60 acres of forest that had been identified as a critical linkage between the Hanlon Creek and Mill Creek Hanlon Creek Subwatershed Study,1993