District of Sechelt Urban Forest Plan

District of Sechelt Urban Forest Plan 2010
Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of Urban Forests
in the District of Sechelt
Current
Future
Strengths
Good climate for trees.
Local Expertise.
Protection through ordinances (bylaws 484
and 430, tree limbing and cutting policy).
Residents educated, engaged and supportive
(active in creating and maintaining the
Hidden Grove trails).
OCP neighbourhood plans and District of
Sechelt Vision documents prioritize the
protection of natural ecosystem function, the
preservation or creation of wildlife
corridors, and the minimal disruption of
large forested areas. Future development
should follow Conservation Design
principles.
OCP and Parks Master Plan support
continuous Trail development to link
neighbourhoods to downtown, and
waterfront trails (OCP 70).
Formal protection of Chapman Creek Trail
System is a priority (OCP 71).
Unused District Right of Ways provides
space for trail building and wildlife
corridors.
Opportunities
Ecosystem pockets and wildlife corridors are
intact in some areas.
Some remnant stands of old growth trees
that could survive with good management.
Trees can help communities cope with
climate change by providing shade,
windbreaks, and intercept storm water.
Trail connectivity plans support urban
forestry.
Food security objectives can align well with
urban forestry.
District of Sechelt aims to reduce carbon
emissions by 29% below BAU rates by 2031,
and supports the BC Climate Action Charter
to achieve a 33% Provincial reduction in
GHG emissions by 2020.
BC Transmission Corporation guidelines for
compatible use indicate opportunities to
make use of lands under power-lines.
Weaknesses
Urban Forest is unevenly
distributed.
Forestry challenges associated
with Climate Change have not
been adequately addressed.
Urbanization and the expansion
of urban infrastructure (road
widening etc.) with resulting
negative impacts on trees.
Development on flood prone
lands that should be designated
for forest or park space (OCP 27).
Poor pruning and topping of
trees reduces the lifespan of our
urban forests.
Some dedicated parks from
subdivision and development
(Bylaw 430) have been placed on
marginal rocky lands, or
inaccessible areas.
Threats (Challenges)
Pressure to develop on hill
slopes, in water catchment areas,
and clearing for views.
Invasive species spread rapidly
on cleared land.
Wildfires.
Pests and Diseases.
Loss of Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services.
Climate change.
Vandalism and neglect of trees is
costly and unsightly.
November 2010 Page 11