The City of Medicine Hat's Parks and Outdoor Recreation Department has been working to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan. The Draft Plan is now complete and the City is seeking public input on the draft vision, strategic objectives and recommended actions.

Why does Medicine Hat Need an Urban Forest Management Plan?
Trees are one of Medicine Hat's most valuable assets. They are central to the city's reputation as an "Oasis in the Prairie" and contribute to the community's high quality of life. However, trees in an urban setting require ongoing planning, maintenance and monitoring if they are to be a sustainable and thriving resource for the long term. An Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) is the tool of choice for addressing these issues and challenges in a strategic, systematic and cost-effective way.

Background
In 1990, the City of Medicine Hat was one of the first municipalities in North America to develop and implement an UFMP. Much has changed over the past two decades, including  significant advances in tree-related technologies, Best Management Practices and approaches to urban forest management. The City is now reviewing and updating this plan with an eye to Medicine Hat's future.

About The Plan and Study Timeline
The Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) lays out a vision, guiding principles, strategic objectives, and actions intended to guide the protection and enhancement of the urban forest over the next decade. The UFMP considers current practices here as well as best practices elsewhere, and recommends actions that recognize the community’s values, practical operational issues, and current financial realities.

The emphasis of the UFMP is on the trees that the City manages on its own lands (i.e., boulevards, parks and coulees). However, the plan also outlines activities the community can do to support the well-being and growth of the local urban forest, as well as opportunities for tree protection and planting as part of the development process.

Project Timeline:

• July 2011 - Development of this Plan in consultation with staff, key stakeholders and the community.

• August 2011 - Background review and interviews with City staff and key stakeholders.

• September 2011 - The study was announced and a Preliminary Survey was posted on-line and circulated to key stakeholders for input.

• October 2011 - Draft Plan development.

• November 2011 - Draft Plan consultations (see details below).

• December 2011 - Plan finalization.

Draft Plan Consultations
There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the key elements of the Draft UFMP through November 2011 at:

• An Open House to be held Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 5 pm until 8 pm in the main foyer of City Hall, with a brief presentation scheduled for 7 pm. Parking is available in the City Hall underground parking.

Open House Presentation