Benefits of forests championed at Urban Economy Forum, supporting climate-responsive communities
Newmarket – Two members of York Regional Council, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt and City of Richmond Hill Mayor David West participated in the Urban Economy Forum alongside the International Society of City and Regional Planners to discuss climate-responsive planning for equitable places and communities.
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is home to 55,000 residents who enjoy a densely populated core area with vast northern stretches covered by the York Regional Forest. With 206 square kilometres of green space, 95% of which is protected, Whitchurch-Stouffville is proud to champion climate action initiatives outlined in York Region’s Climate Action Plan and the York Region Forest Management Plan.
Tree canopy created by forests plays a vital role in enhancing urban environments and contributing to the well-being of our communities. Other benefits include:
- Reducing energy use by providing shade around homes and buildings, reducing the need for air conditioning
- Providing habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including birds, pollinators and other insects
- Absorbing millions of cubic metres of stormwater each year through tree roots, helping to reduce floods from storm run-off
- Improving mental and physical health; research has verified simply spending time amongst trees improves overall well-being
The City of Richmond Hill is home to more than 210,000 people and nearly 4,900 businesses. Roughly half the city lies within the Oak Ridges Moraine conservation area, a geological landform vital to the Greater Toronto Area and a point of pride for Richmond Hill residents.
As Richmond Hill continues to grow, it is committed to harnessing the powers of a healthy natural environment, innovative and engaged citizens, as well as collaborating with partners to build a sustainable and resilient city.
Forward-thinking plans such as its Environment Strategy, Community Energy and Emissions Plan and Urban Forest Management Plan guide the city and community’s environmental efforts. Other initiatives in Richmond Hill include:
- Enhancing stormwater and valley land to protect against flooding and erosion and improve water quality
- Integrating climate change adaptation measures, such as rain gardens in city parks
- Growing the urban forest through community planting events, tree preservation and restoration and maintenance programs
- Encouraging sustainable design in new developments through sustainability programs
York Region consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees.
In 2019, York Regional Council endorsed the 20-Year Forest Management Plan, guiding management and forest use activities in the York Regional Forest, including tree planting, sustainable harvesting and maintenance. In 2022, over 100,000 trees and shrubs and 6,000 pollinator plants were planted in York Region. The Region is installing nine pollinator meadows along Regional rights-of-way, creating habitat for butterflies, bees and other insects. The first pollinator meadow was installed in the City of Richmond Hill. In September 2023, York Region commemorated the planting of the two millionth tree, a significant achievement showing long-lasting commitment to the environment.
Regional Council has endorsed several plans and strategies to support the need for climate responsiveness, including the Climate Change Action Plan, Greening Strategy and Integrated Waste Management Master Plan (SM4RT Living Plan).
Quotes
“We are making great strides to adapt and mitigate the harsh effects of climate change here in Stouffville and across York Region. Along with efforts to preserve the York Regional Forest, this past June, Stouffville Council unanimously voted in support of a new bylaw to protect private trees, mature trees and heritage trees. Together, we are creating resilient communities for future generations to enjoy.”
- Mayor Iain Lovatt, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
“I am proud of the environmental stewardship and progress towards sustainability in Richmond Hill and beyond. What excites me the most is many of our environmental initiatives have engaged residents and businesses, so that we can all be part of the solution. I look forward to continuing to work with the community, Regional colleagues and our partners to realize our shared climate goals.”
- Mayor David West, City of Richmond Hill
“We welcome these opportunities to share urban and rural municipality insights on climate-responsiveness. We are addressing climate change to sustain our communities and protect the environment for generations to come. York Regional Council is steadfast in our commitment to climate action and collaboration with all partners to build a more resilient future.”
- Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson, York Region
Key Facts
- York Region’s Greening Strategy contributes to a target of 40% canopy cover by 2051; in 2021, York Region measured canopy cover at 33.4% and woodland cover at 23.6%
- Whitchurch-Stouffville’s canopy cover is 38.9%, the second highest in York Region
- From 2012 to 2022, Richmond Hill’s canopy cover grew from 25% to 30%, thanks to the collective efforts of staff, residents and partners to protect existing trees and plant new trees
- Richmond Hill’s Community Stewardship Program has engaged volunteers for over 20 years to plant more than 200,000 trees and restore 84 acres of land and 22 kilometres of stream
- Every year, trees in York Region store 80,000 tonnes of carbon by absorbing carbon dioxide; this is equivalent to taking 62,000 vehicles off the road
- Mature trees are particularly important to protect; one large tree can store 65 times more carbon and remove 15 times more air pollution annually than one small tree
- Urban forests help Richmond Hill mitigate climate change, removing 28,036 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere; this is equivalent to taking 6,041 vehicles off the road
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Media Contacts
Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications, York Region
@email 437-997-6821
Jen Hess, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
@email 905-640-1900 ext. 2227
Kate Davey, Communications Coordinator, City of Richmond Hill
@email 437-961-1775
