The Regional District of Nanaimo is establishing a new policy to ensure that trees in parks are preserved.
Manager of parks services, Yann Gagnon, presented a draft of the policy to the regional parks and trails select committee on Feb. 2, which endorsed it for recommendation to the RDN board for approval.
The new policy will provide directions on tree removals and suitable replacements in parks and trails to ensure no net loss of trees, management of fire risks in the forested parks and trails, and management of invasive species.
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To implement all of the policy’s goals, Gagnon indicated it will require the allocation of $137,000 annually. It was recommended and passed by the committee the amount be included in the 2022 budget and financial plan.
Gagnon said the funds will be available and allocated to the electoral areas if required.
“Some of these funds will be used to replace some of the trees removed,” said Gagnon. “Now, if no trees are removed then that amount would stay there and be carried forward to the future use as appropriate surplus.”
There is also a recommendation to hire a temporaty full-time natural technician for one year to deal with invasive species mainly in regional district parks and trails that include Himaylayan backberry, Scotch broom, giant hogweed and poison hemlock.
