Edmonton’s Urban Forest Receives National Honour

October 18, 2012

Efforts to improve the city’s urban tree canopy received national recognition as Edmonton was awarded the Urban Forestry Award at the national Communities in Bloom Awards on October 13, 2012.

“It is an absolute honour for Edmonton to win the Communities in Bloom Urban Forestry Award,” said Jeannette Wheeler, Principal of Forestry for the City of Edmonton. “To be recognized nationally and internationally for the planning, research, trials and hard work that we do everyday to maintain a vibrant urban forest is truly overwhelming.”  

Applications were submitted from across the country with all 120 Communities in Bloom municipalities eligible for entry. The Urban Forestry award was determined by a committee who reviewed all entries before choosing Edmonton as the leader for urban forest management in Canada.

Criteria for the Urban Forestry award includes a municipality’s plans to involve businesses and the community in tree planting and overall tree care. Edmonton’s application highlighted the City’s relevant bylaws, community events, the Urban Forest Management Plan, and the council-approved Root for Trees initiative that aims to increase Edmonton’s tree canopy by 20%.

This is the first time Edmonton has received the Urban Forestry award although it was a finalist in 2010.

Communities in Bloom (CiB) is a non-profit organization founded on the basis of beautifying towns, cities, and green spaces through environmentally responsible practices, while fostering a sense of pride and involvement in the community. This national program allows participating communities from across Canada to have their hard work and dedication recognized based on different criteria including environmental action, floral displays, heritage conservation and urban forestry.

To find out more about Edmonton’s award winning urban forest practices visit edmonton.ca/trees.

 

For more information:

Jeannette Wheeler

Neighbourhoods, Parks and Community Recreation

Title	Principal of Forestry
Telephone	780-442-0224