New Urban Trees and Naturalization

Naturalization and boulevard/open space trees.

We are developing new tools to support the City Plan goal of planting 2 million new trees and the Urban Forest Asset Management Plan’s forest canopy coverage goal.

Project Update: May 2023

Phase 2 engagement on open space and boulevard trees and naturalization has now closed! A What We Heard report will be released in the coming months. Please watch this space for further updates.

Project Overview

Greener As We Grow - one of The City Plan's Big City Moves - outlines a commitment to protection and conservation of our urban forest while driving climate resilience by planting 2 million new trees as the population grows. This target is part of a larger goal outlined in the Urban Forest Asset Management Plan to reach 20 per cent forest canopy coverage in Edmonton by 2071.

Reaching the goal of planting 2 million new trees will involve naturalization, reclaiming and restoring land and locating viable sites for planting boulevard and open space trees. The City is developing 2 planning tools to support this work.

Naturalization, natural areas and boulevard and open space trees are all important parts of Edmonton’s urban forest

Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping

Using Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping and City data, a spatial analysis of each of the 15 City Planning Districts will identify optimal locations on City-owned property for planting new boulevard and open space trees and naturalization, restoration and reclamation work.
The spatial analysis will include:

Socio-economic factors:

Walking access to green spaces
Current community use
Population data
Urban heat islands

Ecology factors:

Wildlife connectivity and biodiversity
Flood mitigation
Carbon capture

Design and Construction Standards

Existing infrastructure
Design setbacks (clearances)

Stage 1

Completed in 2022

Phase 1 Public Engagement Survey
Research and data analysis
Concept level GIS Mapping development
Naturalization, Restoration, and Reclamation Plan - Draft

In May 2022, Edmontonians took part in a city-wide survey to help us better understand how green spaces are used and the level of support for naturalization and boulevard and open space tree planting. Thank you to everyone who engaged with our online survey. A What We Heard Report summarizing the results is now available.

Stage 2

In Progress through 2023

Public and stakeholder engagement - planned for Spring 2023
Refine GIS Mapping
Refine Naturalization, Restoration, and Reclamation Plan
Recommendations to City Design and Construction Standards
Implementation Fall 2023

Phase 2 Public Engagement planning is underway and opportunities for participation will be shared posted in spring 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping tool and the new Naturalization, Restoration and Reclamation Plan help the City to improve our processes for boulevard and open space tree planting and naturalization?

The Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping (GIEM) tool will take a systematic planning approach to determine where City land is potentially available for naturalization for planting new boulevard and open space trees.

The Naturalization, Restoration and Reclamation Plan (NRRP) will provide an updated and consistent approach to establishing and maintaining naturalized plant communities on highly maintained or degraded land, founded on best practices and similar work from other jurisdictions.

How will the Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping tool and the new Naturalization, Restoration and Reclamation Plan help the City to meet our goal of planting 2 million new urban trees?

The GIEM tool will improve the capacity to identify available City land, including any land use conflicts and existing infrastructure city-wide.

The NRRP will outline the processes and best practices for naturalization, including sites that can be planted with trees and shrubs.

How will these tools support communication and public engagement?

Using these tools for planning will support earlier communication or engagement on proposed naturalization or planting locations, improving public awareness and opportunities to provide feedback that may impact locations and design.

When will the Naturalization, Restoration and Reclamation Plan and the Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping be implemented? Who will use them?

Both tools are currently in development and will be in use to support design and planting beginning in 2024. Both tools will primarily be used by City Operations staff, but will also support city-wide communication on land use as well as public communications.

The GIEM map shows naturalization or boulevard and open space tree planting areas in my neighbourhood. When is this work going to be done?

The areas shown in the GIEM map are potential sites for naturalization or boulevard and open space tree planting over the next 8-10 years, and not all sites will be completed. A number of factors will be considered during operational planning to finalize actual locations and timing.

What kind of trees are planted in naturalized areas?

There are 2 distinct geomorphic areas found in Edmonton:

Tablelands
The River Valley and Ravine System.

The Naturalization, Restoration, and Reclamation Plan will provide guidance in choosing the appropriate species of trees, shrubs, grasses or other plants based on factors such as geographic location, soil and site conditions.

Can citizens provide suggestions for locations to naturalize or to plant boulevard and open space trees?

Yes. When the city receives a suggested location, these requests are reviewed for feasibility. Then, if viable, they will be added to the Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping to be captured in future work plans. Please note, not all suggestions will result in naturalization or planting.

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311
Online	Contact 311 Online
Email	naturalizationandtreeplanting@edmonton.ca

New Urban Trees and Naturalization

Project Update: May 2023

Project Overview

Naturalization, Restoration & Reclamation Plan

Parts of the Urban Forest

Natural Areas

Naturalized Area

Boulevard Trees

Open Space Trees

Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping

Project Stages

Stage 1

Stage 2

Frequently Asked Questions

For More Information

New Urban Trees and Naturalization

Project Update: May 2023

Project Overview

Natural Areas

Naturalized Area

Boulevard Trees

Open Space Trees

Green Infrastructure Expansion Mapping

Stage 1

Stage 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Links

Engaged Edmonton

The City Plan

Naturalization

Trees and Urban Forestry

Related documents

Urban Forest Asset Management Plan

For More Information