City Trees

The City of Surrey (population 520,000) is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, having added almost 1,000 residents each month for the last thirty years. The city is bordered on the south by the United States, by the Fraser River on the north, and by the Pacific Ocean on the southwest side. Surrey's coastal climate is characterized by cool rainy winters, mild sunny summers, and cool autumns—conditions that allow temperate forests to thrive. There are three healthy fish-bearing rivers running through the city, and many creeks that support spawning salmon and trout. Thirty-five percent of Surrey is made up of an agricul- tural reserve that cannot be developed for housing or industry—but which has several nature parks within it. The Surrey park system contains 1,629 ha (4025 acres) of natural areas that include mature deciduous and coniferous forests, old field habitat, marshland, a river mouth sand-spit, and some old-growth forest. Natural area parks are increasing in size every year in Surrey, based on an acquisition target of .8 ha (2.0 acres) for every thousand new residents. Based on this formula, and with additional lands provided through gifts of property to the park system, Surrey has acquired an average of 23 ha (57 acres) of new natural areas in each of the last five years. These new natural area lands are helping to preserve riparian areas and other impor- tant habitat within the city as development occurs. Surrey manages its natural areas within the guidelines set out in the Natural Area Management Plan: Strategic Directions (the Plan). The Plan was developed with sig- nificant citizen input from two urban forest advisory committees and several non-profit groups invested in the preservation of Surrey's natural environment. The Plan is built on the cornerstone management principles of: i) Sustainability; ii) Citizen Access; and iii) Communication amongst Stakeholders The Plan encompasses a number of man- agement themes that include: • Preservation and Protection • Accessibility • Community Participation • Education • Health, Safety, and Liability • Aesthetics • Preservation of Property Values and Economic Development • Cost Effectiveness; and • Biodiversity Conservation To meet the objectives of the Plan, seven distinct strat- egies have been developed and are utilized in carrying out maintenance and development activities within Surrey's extensive natural areas. These strategies are: 1. Vegetation Management – This includes control of invasive species, bi-annual mowing in old-field habitat, under-planting of early seral stage decidu- ous forests with conifers, placing beaver-deterring wrap on significant trees, and opening up sight-lines on trails in key areas through selective pruning. 2. Fauna Management – Wildlife trees are cre- ated and managed, bat and bird boxes installed, amphibian "houses" created, and dogs prohibited in some areas to prevent wildlife harassment. 3. Access and Recreation Management – A hierarchy of trails has been developed to manage pedestrians and bicycles. In some instances, areas are fenced to completely preclude access. Trails vary in design from narrow, low environmental impact trails to wide, gravelled multi-purpose pathways. Boardwalks with interpretive information are present in some areas to assist the physically challenged, includ- ing areas where people in wheelchairs and those with vision problems can get up close to forest ele- ments. Bicycle features are built and maintained in partnership with off-road cycling enthusiasts. 4. Tree Hazard Management – In keeping with pru- dent risk management principles, forest areas 36 CityTREES Providing beaver protection for Surrey's mature and significant trees. Green Timbers Lake in the heart of the City of Surrey, BC.

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