Urban Forest Management Plan – City of North Battleford

Urban Forest Management Plan – City of North Battleford

The City of North Battleford, in partnership with Green Drop, has unveiled its comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) for 2024 to 2040, establishing a 16-year roadmap to protect, manage, and expand the city’s critical tree canopy.

This long-term strategy shifts the perspective on the urban forest, recognizing trees not just for their beauty, but as vital “green infrastructure” that provides essential economic, environmental, and social benefits to the community.

In Summary

Trees are a vital part of North Battleford’s infrastructure. They improve our environment, support the economy, bring social benefits, and help the city adapt to climate change. Our study found that the city’s urban forest is mature but at risk. There are too many elm and ash trees, records are still paper-based, and threats like Dutch elm disease, emerald ash borer, heat, drought, and storms are increasing. The tree canopy covers about 14% of built-up areas — better than many other Prairie cities. Public input showed strong support for focusing on maintenance, creating a modern digital tree inventory, and adding more staff to move from reacting to problems to preventing them.

The plan sets a clear path forward:

• Digitize tree records within 12 months.
• Hire a Tree Foreman to turn plans into real results.
• Use a risk-based system to focus work where it’s most needed.
• Start a regular pruning program to protect and strengthen existing trees.
• Plant new trees each year with diverse, climate-ready species, spaced at least 5 m apart, while avoiding more elm and ash.

The goal is to increase canopy cover to 16% by 2040 in developed areas — a realistic target supported by better bylaws, community involvement, and climate-smart practices like efficient watering and drought-tolerant trees. By following this plan and reporting progress openly, North Battleford can keep people safe, make neighbourhoods more pleasant, and grow a healthier, more resilient urban forest for the future.

Key Pillars of the 2024–2040 Management Plan

The Urban Forestry Management Plan is designed to create a clear vision and actionable framework for sustainable urban forestry, built around the following key objectives:

1. Establishing Baseline Data and Inventory: The plan begins with a comprehensive technical analysis of the existing urban forest. This involves gathering up-to-date data on canopy cover percentage, tree density, composition, and overall health to accurately track progress and set measurable targets.
2. Proactive Risk Management: A major focus is on mitigating critical threats to the forest. This includes developing clear strategies and guidelines for managing tree risks and hazard abatement, particularly against high-risk invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Dutch Elm Disease (DED), which pose a significant threat to the city’s high percentage of Ash and Elm trees.
3. Sustainable Growth and Planting: The plan mandates the creation of detailed short-, medium- and long-term action plans for tree establishment, protection, and healthcare. This includes recommending resilient, native, and drought-tolerant species to ensure the forest can adapt to the effects of climate change. Priority zones for both planting and removal will be identified.
4. Policy and Operational Integration: The UFMP evaluates current maintenance practices, operational procedures, and resources to identify gaps. It is intended to guide City policies and regulations, ensuring that tree protection and planting are integrated seamlessly into planning, development, and engineering projects.
5. Community Engagement and Education: A core goal is to educate residents and Council on the immense value of the urban forest—from sequestering carbon and managing stormwater runoff to enhancing quality of life. The plan seeks to leverage public involvement and community partnerships to support the success of the urban forest initiatives.

In essence, the Green Drop Urban Forestry Management Plan provides North Battleford with a structured, data-driven approach to ensure its urban forest remains healthy, diverse, and resilient for the next two decades, maximizing the benefits of its trees for all residents.

To review the complete plan visit City of North Battleford

To start on your Urban Forestry Management Plan contact us at Green Drop Trees.

Learn about the Green Municipal Fund Grant.