Strategic planning in urban forestry: A 21st century paradigm shift for small town Canada

The pressures created by urban sprawl are leading to a reduction in forested land in Canada and North America. Poorly controlled land-use planning contributes to the haphazard urbanization of many small communities within commuting distance of major urban centres. Urban forests are largely ignored as an asset and the potential benefits they can offer to communities are often not acknowledged in the planning process. Relatively few communities across Canada have any form of urban forest management. A new definition of the urban forest is proposed that recognizes the need for an ecosystem approach to urban forest management and the integral role that humans play in that ecosystem. To facilitate the implementation of urban forest management plans in small communities, a simple strategic planning framework is presented. Using this approach, many small towns can maintain their rural character and benefit from a wealth of environmental, social and economic benefits. Key words: urban forestry, community planning, forest benefits, strategic planning, ecosystem approach, forest fragmentation