New Westminster, BC – The City of New Westminster has received an award and an honourable mention for its Urban Forest Management Strategy. The Strategy was chosen as the winner of the 2017 Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Natural Systems Planning by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and was also given an honourable mention in the category of Excellence in Policy Planning by the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC).

“Thank you to the CIP and PIBC for recognizing our Urban Forest Management Strategy as an important plan for ensuring the protection of our urban forest,” said Acting Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “Thanks also to City staff involved for your efforts in planning, seeking community input, and recognizing the importance of implementing the plan quickly.”

The Urban Forest Management Strategy addresses the risk of decline in our city’s urban forest as New Westminster continues to densify, providing a detailed roadmap for maintaining this valuable public resource for the future of our community. The plan recognizes the need to protect our urban forest, thereby enhancing urban amenity, air quality, cooling, stormwater, carbon capture, and other benefits that contribute to the city’s livability.

To learn more about the City’s Urban Forest Management Strategy, please visit the City website at www.newwestcity.ca/urbanforest.

-30-

Contact:

Erika Mashig
Parks and Open Space Planner
City of New Westminster
604-527-4530 or