City of Camrose Receives Federal Funding to Develop Urban Forest Master Plan
The City of Camrose is pleased to be part of a nationwide investment in urban forestry announced by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) through the Growing Canada's Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative.
The City, in collaboration with the University of Alberta Augustana Campus, is developing an Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP), a long-term strategy that will guide the management, growth and protection of Camrose's urban forest. This project has been made possible through a $100,000 grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) Growing Canada's Community Canopies initiative. Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities.
An Urban Forest Master Plan is a high-level planning document that establishes priorities and goals for managing trees and treed landscapes throughout the community. The Plan will consider trees on both public and private property and will identify strategies to support a healthy, resilient and sustainable urban forest for future generations.
Trees provide significant environmental, social and economic benefits to our community," said Mayor PJ Stasko. "This project will help us better understand and manage Camrose's urban forest while ensuring it reflects the values and priorities of our residents. We are very grateful for the support of the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in helping to make this possible, and we also thank the University of Alberta Augustana Campus for their collaboration and valuable support throughout this work.
As part of the project, the City will seek input from residents to ensure the Urban Forest Master Plan reflects a broad range of community perspectives. Public engagement opportunities will include a community survey and an interactive mapping activity.
Residents will be invited to share their thoughts on topics such as:
- Satisfaction with current tree management practices
- Areas where additional trees and greenery are desired
- Priorities for Camrose's future tree canopy
- The importance of trees to the community
- Perspectives on future policies and programs that could support the urban forest
"The Urban Forest Master Plan will provide a roadmap for managing one of our community's most valuable assets," said Dr. Greg King, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, University of Alberta. "We want this plan to reflect what matters most to residents of Camrose, and sharing your local knowledge and perspectives will be essential to ensuring we get it right.”
“FCM is proud to support the City of Camrose’s transformative tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”
“Whether they are providing shade on a hot summer day, improving local green spaces, or bringing people together outdoors, trees make our communities better places to live,” said Secretary of State (Nature), the Honourable Nathalie Provost. “Together, we are helping communities expand their green spaces, providing lasting environmental and community benefits. The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community.”
Urban forests provide many benefits to our community, including cleaner air, shade, slowing down stormwater runoff, and providing wildlife habitat. The Urban Forest Master Plan will help guide future decisions about Camrose's tree canopy and ensure it supports meeting the community's needs for decades to come.
Find out more about the development of the Urban Forest Master Plan here.
About FCM's Green Municipal Fund
FCM's Green Municipal Fund (GMF is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.
The Green Municipal Fund's Growing Canada's Community Canopies is a $291-million initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.
