Urban Forestry Study

The implementation of the Urban Forestry Cover Study was approved at Ajax Town Council on June 23, 2008 - the initial step in the Town’s Urban Forestry Strategy. The study contract was awarded to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

This is a key corporate initiative that supports the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions throughout the Town. Ajax's urban forest plays a vital role in the Town’s overall urban health. This study will provide the Town with crucial information on how to build up the local urban forest, and most importantly, how to sustain it.

An urban forest is defined as the sum of all woody and associated vegetation in and around dense human settlements. This study will produce a profile of the Town’s current urban forest, also known as the tree canopy cover.

The study began in late July 2008. Both privately and municipally owned trees, including those on streets, in parks, and trees growing on commercial or private property, are included in the study.

Through a GPS mapping program, 200 plots were randomly selected across Ajax. Each plot has a radius of about 11 metres. Each day, TRCA forestry technicians arrive at a plot at approximately 7 a.m. By observing the plot, the forestry technicians classify tree species, and measure the tree height and crown width. Each tree survey takes about an hour and is an unobtrusive process without any disturbance to the property.

The Town has sent letters to private property owners located within the study areas, informing them about the program and requesting their permission to enter their property in order to conduct the study. The study will be completed by the fall of this year.

When TRCA establishes its findings, they will advise the Town on how our urban forest is functioning in its present state, how it can be built upon, and how it can be maintained in order to sustain it.

The Town will hold a public open house in November 2008 to report its findings, and gain resident’s insight and ideas about the proposed Urban Forestry Strategy. The final draft of the strategy will go to Council in December.

For more information on the study program, visit www.ufore.org. If you have any further questions or require any additional information, please contact:

Garry Durnan
Supervisor, Operations & Environmental Services, Town of Ajax
905-619-2529, ext. 4208
garry.durnan@townofajax.com

Meaghan Eastwood
Urban Forestry Technician, Toronto Region Conservation Authority
416-661-6600, ext. 5734
meastwood@trca.on.ca

Plot Maps by Ward

• Ward 1
• Ward 2 
• Ward 3
• Ward 4