The Town of Lincoln is undertaking an Urban Forest Management Review as part of a collective effort to improve the health of the Town’s trees and increase Lincoln’s tree cover. This will be achieved through the implementation of proven best policies and practices, allowing the entire Lincoln community to benefit from the economic, environmental, and health-related advantages of a healthy urban forest.
As part of this initiative, the Town of Lincoln is launching a series of activities this fall. From community tree plantings to a tree hunt and giveaway, there are many ways to get involved in safeguarding and growing Lincoln’s tree canopy. For more information on these activities and how you can participate, visit Lincoln.ca/RootedinLincoln.
A Council Motion in September 2023 has initiated the process to strike a working group. Some of the goals include developing a tree procedures and standards manual related to current tree-related policies, identifying ways to integrate urban forest management with the Town’s Climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, and sharing the knowledge of the impacts of climate change on urban forest management with community members for the betterment of our urban forest.
New Penalty System for Unauthorized Tree Removals
We all have a role to play in protecting and maintaining trees well into the future. To help with this, the Town has created a new, more effective penalty system for unauthorized tree removals. This is intended to promote compliance with the Town’s private tree protection requirements and support the Town’s objectives for a healthy tree canopy.
Learn more about the new penalty system.
Working Group
The working group consists of Lincoln citizens and several Council and Staff members. The group has met monthly since November 2023 and has already accomplished much to date. A presentation on the group’s work was made to the Town's Committee of the Whole (COW) on February 12, 2024. Included in the work was a review of urban forest best practices from other municipalities. The best practices in the report will inform an updated set of Tree Related Policies, Bylaws, Procedures and Standards that staff will be creating.
The subject areas of the report include:
- Setting Tree Canopy Targets
- Achieving Tree Canopy Targets
- Tree Planting Guidelines
- Quality & Quantity of Soil Requirements for Planting
- Tree List for Town Plantings
- Protection for Trees During Construction
- Planting Standards for Parking Lots
- Maintenance Best Practices for Newly Planted Trees
- Educating Citizens on Tree Maintenance
- Private Tree Protection Bylaw
- Adequate Replacement Ratios
- Engaging the Public to Help the Town Reach Its Tree Canopy Goals
Working Group Members
- Michael Kirkopoulos, CAO, Town of Lincoln
- Matt Bruder, Director of Planning and Development, Town of Lincoln
- Tony Brunet, Councillor, Ward 2
- Liz Benneian, Ontariogreen and BCAC
- Vernah Fleming, VFBG & Niagara Native Garden Club
- Jane Woolsey, Benchlands Citizens Group
Experts from other organizations, such as the Vineland Research Innovation Centre (VRIC) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), may be asked for guidance as the work moves forward.
Get Involved
Please follow this page or stay tuned on the Town of Lincoln's website and social media accounts for updates on this project. We will look to engage Lincoln community members through in-person events and discussions, educational opportunities and digital feedback opportunities through this page.
The Town of Lincoln is undertaking an Urban Forest Management Review as part of a collective effort to improve the health of the Town’s trees and increase Lincoln’s tree cover. This will be achieved through the implementation of proven best policies and practices, allowing the entire Lincoln community to benefit from the economic, environmental, and health-related advantages of a healthy urban forest.
As part of this initiative, the Town of Lincoln is launching a series of activities this fall. From community tree plantings to a tree hunt and giveaway, there are many ways to get involved in safeguarding and growing Lincoln’s tree canopy. For more information on these activities and how you can participate, visit Lincoln.ca/RootedinLincoln.
A Council Motion in September 2023 has initiated the process to strike a working group. Some of the goals include developing a tree procedures and standards manual related to current tree-related policies, identifying ways to integrate urban forest management with the Town’s Climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, and sharing the knowledge of the impacts of climate change on urban forest management with community members for the betterment of our urban forest.
New Penalty System for Unauthorized Tree Removals
We all have a role to play in protecting and maintaining trees well into the future. To help with this, the Town has created a new, more effective penalty system for unauthorized tree removals. This is intended to promote compliance with the Town’s private tree protection requirements and support the Town’s objectives for a healthy tree canopy.
Learn more about the new penalty system.
Working Group
The working group consists of Lincoln citizens and several Council and Staff members. The group has met monthly since November 2023 and has already accomplished much to date. A presentation on the group’s work was made to the Town's Committee of the Whole (COW) on February 12, 2024. Included in the work was a review of urban forest best practices from other municipalities. The best practices in the report will inform an updated set of Tree Related Policies, Bylaws, Procedures and Standards that staff will be creating.
The subject areas of the report include:
- Setting Tree Canopy Targets
- Achieving Tree Canopy Targets
- Tree Planting Guidelines
- Quality & Quantity of Soil Requirements for Planting
- Tree List for Town Plantings
- Protection for Trees During Construction
- Planting Standards for Parking Lots
- Maintenance Best Practices for Newly Planted Trees
- Educating Citizens on Tree Maintenance
- Private Tree Protection Bylaw
- Adequate Replacement Ratios
- Engaging the Public to Help the Town Reach Its Tree Canopy Goals
Working Group Members
- Michael Kirkopoulos, CAO, Town of Lincoln
- Matt Bruder, Director of Planning and Development, Town of Lincoln
- Tony Brunet, Councillor, Ward 2
- Liz Benneian, Ontariogreen and BCAC
- Vernah Fleming, VFBG & Niagara Native Garden Club
- Jane Woolsey, Benchlands Citizens Group
Experts from other organizations, such as the Vineland Research Innovation Centre (VRIC) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), may be asked for guidance as the work moves forward.
Get Involved
Please follow this page or stay tuned on the Town of Lincoln's website and social media accounts for updates on this project. We will look to engage Lincoln community members through in-person events and discussions, educational opportunities and digital feedback opportunities through this page.
