Tree Inventory and Policy

Ongoing Urban Forest work:

The Town of Wolfville and Consultants at Sylveritas Ltd. have recently established a Town wide tree inventory (linked on the right) and are now developing a policy relating to street trees, park trees and related urban forest management. This policy and work plan will provide the Town with direction for new tree plantings, maintenance of the existing trees and guidance to increase the health and distribution of native tree species throughout Wolfville. This policy also addresses invasive species and prioritizes the native trees with companion understory plants where possible.

A DRAFT of the Urban Forest Policy will be made available in the spring of 2025.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid - Staff are training and planning for the future of hemlock dominant locations like Rawding Ravine and the Wolfville Nature Trust lands. These locations are being considered for HWA assessment and treatment.

More HWA info at: https://www.medwaycommunityforest.com/hemlocks

If you have Hemlocks on your property and are concerned about Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, please contact a certified arborist who can recommend treatment options, identification and which preventative steps can be taken to protect your trees.

Reservoir Park - invasive species removal and repopulating with native trees and understory plantings. More Volunteers are always welcome.

Why does Wolfville need a tree inventory and policy?

Urban forests provide ecological, social and economic benefits. By storing carbon, trees help mitigate climate change by preventing some greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. Trees also help with climate change adaptation by improving drainage from storm water runoff, reduce the 'urban heat island' effect by providing shade, and their root systems help prevent erosion. Trees also make us happy, improve well-being and increase property values.

Knowing the types, age, condition and location of trees in Wolfville allows us to create a plan to better manage existing trees and plan for a more sustainable urban forest over time.

The tree inventory and policy will help Wolfville reach Council's targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Wolfville's Climate Action Plan is linked on the right.

Who is Sylveritas Ltd?

Sylveritas Ltd. is a consultancy firm founded in 2014 by Professor Emeritus Peter Duinker (Dalhousie).

From Sylveritas Ltd. website:

"Peter’s research interests are wide-ranging. Over the past 35 years, he has led investigations in forest ecology, environmental assessment, forest planning, forest management, forest policy, climate change, public participation, conflict resolution, public forest values, biodiversity assessment, protected areas management, urban forests, futures studies, and other topics.

In professional practice, Peter has several specialties. He has served as an expert for three federal Environmental Assessment Panels. He has participated in development of forest-management plans, both for timber-producing forests (in ON and AB) and for urban forests (NS and PE). He has facilitated numerous engagement processes and events for resource and environmental stakeholders. Finally, he has chaired or co-chaired a range of boards, committees, and panels associated with forest management and policy. Peter is a regular member of the NS Institute of Agrologists."

Peter and his team have also created the Halifax Tree Project to "support protection, expansion, and sustainable management of urban trees and forests in Halifax by fostering community-based stewardship."

View the Halifax Tree Project website to access many resources, including the Blog Series, Urban Forest Walkabouts, and the Text-a-Tree program.

• Want to plant a tree? Here are some helpful tips.
• Trees die. Learn about the number of reasons why here.
• The downsides of urban trees.
• The value of urban trees.
• Learn all about the various species of trees typically found in Nova Scotian cities and towns here.