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REPORT TO: DEBBIE COMIS, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

FROM: JOHN DIGGINS, MANAGER OF OPERATIONS

SUBJECT: G7 - MOUNT ARROWSMITH BIOSPHERE REGION TREE-PLANTING PROJECT

PURPOSE: To provide Council with a listing of potential lands totalling 1 hectare in size which could accommodate the planting of 1000 trees in support of the G7 MABR Tree Planting Project Initiative.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

At the open meeting on February 5, 2018, Council resolved to provide land totalling one hectare in size to accommodate the planting of 1000 trees by May15, 2018. The following report is presented in accordance with direction provided by Council.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. THAT the report from the Manager of Operations dated February 15, 2018, entitled "Canada G7 - Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve Tree-Planting Project" be received.

2. THAT staff be authorized to support the Canada G7 MABR Tree Planting Project by partnering with Vancouver Island University (VIU), the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), Island Timberlands, Timber West, and the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region to plant 1000 trees within Top Bridge Park.

BACKGROUND

Below is an overview of the Canada G7 tree-planting project discussed at the MABR Roundtable meeting on February 2, 2018. This information was provided by Ashley Van Acken, B.Sc, Interim Coordinator, of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region.

"Canada will be hosting the 44th G7 Summit in this year and the organizational goals are as follows:

• Investing in growth that works for everyone • Preparing for jobs of the future • Advancing and women's empowerment • Working together on climate change, oceans and clean energy • Building a more peaceful and secure world

To help offset the carbon emissions produced by the seven contributing nations, plus the to attend the event, the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region's (MABR) goal is to plant 1000 trees on public lands (1 hectare) before May 15, 2018. This will be added to by the 17 biosphere reserves Located throughout Canada with an end target of planting 100,000 trees (with the vast majority to be planted in Quebec) prior to the G7 Summit held in June 2018.

The MABR requires the following to be successful in participating in this National project.

1. Project Coordinator- Someone to coordinate the project on behalf of the MABR.

2. Municipal Partner - The municipal partner must have approximately 1 hectare of publically available land on which 1000 trees would be planted. Ideally the trees are planted and left in perpetuity, but the minimum length of time they must be left standing is 50 years.

3. Forestry Partner(s) - The forestry partner must provide the 1000 trees and equipment for the planting day. They will also be responsible for follow up surveys to ensure there is an 85% survival rate (if it is lower, trees must be replanted the following year(s)). Approximately $3000.00 is available for these partners from CBRA if needed to assist with seedlings, supplies, and surveying.

4. Youth Participants - The Forestry partner and Project Coordinator must conduct a 45- minute presentation to a class, or assembly of youth (approximately 20-25) who will plant the trees on the day chosen.

At the last MABR Roundtable held at the Parksville Civic Centre on February 2nd, 2018 the following was discussed:

• Graham Sakaki {MABRRI Research & Community Engagement Coordinator) will be the Project Coordinator and the main contact between the MABR and CBRA. • Island Timberlands & TimberWest have agreed to support support the project as the Forestry Partners. • Considering Indigenous youth from Qualicum and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations as participants to be engaged and educated to plant the trees. • To help ensure the best survival rates consider planting these trees as early as possible (late Feb/early Mar).

The critical step is to secure a Municipal partner. MABR determined to first approach the City of Parksville council and staff to determine if Ermineskin Park could be the host site. OPTIONS

1. Authorize staff to support the Canada G7 Summit MABR Tree Planting Project by partnering with Vancouver Island University {VIU), the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), Island Timberlands, Timber West, and the Mount Arrowsmith Biosp here Region to plant 1000 trees within Top Bridge Park.

2. Provide alternative direction to staff.

ANALYSIS

City staff were requested by Council to provide a list of potential lands which could facilitate the planting of 1000 trees. There are specific criteria identified by the G7 2018 project for participating in the project.

To participate in the initiative, the City of Parksville must agree to the following conditions:

• Dedicate a planting site; • Follow potential maintenance recommendations that will be submitted to the city one year after planting by the participating forest agency. • Complete regular inspections to ensure the plantings develop without interference. • Hire a professional to conduct regular follow up inspections, and implement, if necessa ry, any measures that may be recommended. • Undertake any harvesting (removals) if necessa ry and seek out sustainable uses for the wood when removed. (This will require so me form of tracking capability.) • Replace any trees that may deteriorate or die off over the first three years. • Communication protocols. • Respect this agreement for at least 50 years.

Staff has identified the conditions in the agreement as a concern. As defined, the project would appear to add to the current workloads of staff in both the short and long term.

City staff met with Graham Sakaki (MABRRI Resea rch & Community Engagement Coordinator) on February 20, 2018, to further understand the agreement and the initiative. The following items were discussed at the meeting.

• Potential for relaxation in the contract requirements to participate in the initiative • Planting location requirements

It was made clear to the City by MABRRI that the contract is viewed as more ceremonial in nature than considered a binding agreement. Nevertheless the "contract" has been amended by the G7 coordinating agency which relaxed the requirement to follow prescribed maintenance programs, harvesting requirements, and replacement of trees over the initial 3 year period. However it is still expected the trees will be kept in place for at least 50 years. Additionally, the MABRRI representative identified interest from the VIU forestry students to further manage the care and replacement of the trees planted by this initiative. City staff understands, VIU will coordinate yearly planting inspections to ensure the trees develop without interference, ascertain their health and replace plantings as necessary. VIU forestry students will undertake this task until it is deemed the plantings have developed to a point where their survival is certain.

Location requirements for the plantings were also discussed. City staff were informed the site needed to be easily accessible to the public and the planters and should be mostly cleared. Bare land would be cons idered ideal conditions for this project. The City of Parksville manages just over 155 hectares of Parkland. Yet, incredibly, there is very little parkland available which is considered as suitable for the planting requirements.

Initial discussions by Council identified the Erminskin Lands as a potential site for planting. However, with the information provided by MABRRI and additional investigations as described below the Ermiskin lands would appear not be an appropriate site. A second location which could satisfy the conditions is the area adjacent to the newly constructed service road for the new Englishman river water intake, from the Intake to the reservoir road within Top Bridge Park.

Both locations were surveyed on February 26, 2018, by representatives of the City of Parksville, VIU, MABRRI, MABR and Island Timberlands. The survey produced the following results:

• Ermineskin Park - Although the park is large, and will likely be well used in the future there were multiple concerns to proceeding with work at this location. They are as follows below:

o This is a very wet location; the most suitable tree to plant would be Sitka Spruce. Unfortunately, the forest companies have no stock this year. o The existing dense underbrush and deciduous trees, the presence of a wetland, as well as evidence of illega l dumping make the site somewhat unsafe for youth during the planting. o The uncertainty of connectivity (pathways, way-finding, well access) makes it hard to determine the future need for planting at this location. More time to consult with the community and studying movement throughout the site will help determine where and when to plant trees in the future. o Survival surveys and maintenance requirements of the project make this location a less preferred location. o There are already many conifer trees in the understory meaning planting would be spread over an extremely large area. Thus the accuracy for management of the new trees planted would make ensuring the requirements of the project more difficult (i.e. it is difficult to do surviva l surveys in a mixed canopy environment).

• Top Bridge Park - Adjacent to the roadway for the newly developed water intake is a much better location for the proposed project. Th e benefits are as follows: o The forest companies have a large supply of Douglas Fir trees which would be ideal in the open and dry area (they require sunlight and well drained soils) o The slope, and recent turning of soil and till make the location an ideal spot for youth to learn to plant trees in a safe and accessible environment. o Being adjacent to a well-maintained road provides easy accessibility and management for the project. o The area is perfect for planting every 2.5 meters, meaning that performing survival surveys will be easier in the coming years, as well as re-planting as needed. The area is likely in need of immediate planting to help prevent the establishment of invasive species, so this could be a financial benefit to the City of Parksville. It was recommended by the forestry company that we plant grass seed the day of the tree planting to help prevent further establishment of Scotch broom.

In conclusion, it is the recommendation of VIU, MABRRI, Island Timberlands, Timber West, and the MABR that Top Bridge be the site of the G7 Summit Tree Planting project, and planting commence in March 2018 to ensure the best possible survival rates for the project.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

There is no identifiable financial impact with participating with the project at this time.

STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLICATIONS

Maintain or Enhance Quality of Life - The planting of trees enhances Parksvilles urban forest and therefore the quality of life for citizens.

Renewal and Maintenance of Infrastructure - The tree planting project will re-establish the area requiring tree removals to facilitate the service road construction.

Maintain or Enhance Levels of Service - No identifiable impact

Maintain or Reduce Actual Property Tax Burden - No identifiable impact

Environmentally Sustainable and Economic Development - the G72018 project provided the following benefits: Social (education), Environmental (trees), Economic (Value of wood and forests) and associative (Canadian Network and UNESCO)

Respectfully submitted, JO:

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER COMMENTS:

DEBBIE COMIS Chief Administrative Officer