City of Surrey wins national recognition as urban forestry leader

Mar 7th, 2007 9:47 AM

City of Surrey wins national recognition as urban forestry leader New funding also announced for storm ravaged B.C. communities (Surrey, British Columbia, March 7, 2007) Today, Tree Canada President Michael Rosen met with Surrey Mayor Dianne L. Watts and representatives from the City of Surrey to present the Green Streets Canada Certificate of Recognition for the Green Timbers Urban Forest and Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP). Mr. Rosen also unveiled new details concerning the B.C. Coast ReLeaf program. “Every so often, a community comes along and demonstrates leadership and enthusiasm for improving their community. Surrey’s dedication to urban forestry is a model for other municipalities across the country,” said Mr. Rosen. Green Streets Canada is the only nationally based municipal forestry program designed to encourage the adoption of innovative practices and policies in municipal forest management. Initiated in 1994, the program has attracted the participation of over 350 municipalities. The Green Timbers Urban Forest is 560 acres of parkland and contains the protected Western Trillium, the rare Rattlesnake Plantain and Coral-root Orchid. In 2006, Tree Canada committed over $30,000 toward its expansion and maintenance. In 2007, in addition to Surrey, Tree Canada is awarding Green Streets funding to Prince George, Kelowna, Langley and Langford. BC Hydro is the lead sponsor of Green Streets Canada in B.C. During the presentation, Mr. Rosen announced details concerning the B.C. Coast ReLeaf program. Effective immediately, municipalities and residents can now apply for funding to replace trees on public lands and in individual yards by visiting www.treecanada.ca/bcreleaf. Residents will be able to apply for coupons and present them to the BC Landscape and Nursery Association's participating members who will discount a portion of the cost of the replacement trees. Mr. Rosen also added that, “The partnership between Tree Canada, Shell Canada and B.C. Transmission Corporation will help deliver ReLeaf more effectively. Their contributions, as well as those of countless individuals across the country, represent a giant step toward restoring the natural beauty of B.C. coastal communities.” Earlier this year, Tree Canada announced Shell's $30,000 contribution to B.C. Coast ReLeaf in addition to a $10,000 donation of caliper trees to Stanley Park. For further information, contact: Jonathan Laderoute (Tree Canada media inquiries only) Environmental Communication Options laderoutej@huffstrategy.com, (416) 972-7401 Darryl McCarron City of Surrey, Manager of Marketing and Communications DLMcCarron@surrey.ca, (604) 598-5785 Tree Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1992. It provides education, technical assistance, resources and financial support through working partnerships to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees. It is a leader in promoting the value of urban forests in Canada (www.treecanada.ca). Surrey is the second largest city in British Columbia, with over 400,000 residents. It is the fastest growing municipality in the province and has over 5,400 acres (22 km²) of passive and active parkland.