Atlantic Regional Urban Forest Update for June 2019

Heather Fraser

Regional Representative Atlantic Region, Représentante de la région atlantique du RCFU

The Atlantic Region has seen a long winter lasting from early November through to the end of April. The wet spring is extending well into June with cooler temperatures. As a result, the planting season has been delayed by most Municipalities and fall plantings are being added as an option.

Plans are well underway for the next Atlantic UF Conference (which are held every 2 years) and CUFN Atlantic region workshop to take place in Halifax NS on November 13th and 14th.  The Theme is “Linking Policy to Practice”. The venue will be the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building, Dalhousie University. More details to follow in the coming months. Included in this two-day event will be: concurrent sessions on various interests related to urban forests, group discussions, a field trip component on the second day, panel round tables, trade show and an evening event where the public is invited to attend and listen to the tree issues of the day.

The ISA Atlantic Chapter AGM and Climbing Championships will be in Moncton this year. The AGM is September 5th & 6th while the climbing competition is on the 7th September.

Plans are underway with bigger Municipalities (100,000 people or more) to inventory parks and wildland forests for ash trees/ash stands (and hemlock to a lesser degree), while carrying out an inspection on single tree and on overall forest health. Moving forward keeping this inventory highlighted annually is a priority and yearly visits will now be a new BMP added to management plans, in order to follow the status of EAB and HWA moving through the Atlantic Region.

Halifax Nova Scotia has removed ten ash trees along Waterfront Drive which connected to a neighbouring Park after a recent detection of EAB. Attached is an example of a social media post for residents from Halifax meant to remind folks of the presence of EAB and control measures including the prohibition of wood products outside the management zone. The plan Halifax has adopted for Insect Pest control is shared through this posting for others to use as a template. Additional info on EAB, including a link to CFIA, may be found on the Halifax website at:   https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/streets-sidewalks/urban-forestry/emerald-ash-borerNews Release

E: https://www.canada.ca/en/food-inspection-agency/news/2019/04/expansion-of-the-emerald-ash-borer-regulated-areas-into-nova-scotia.html

F: https://www.canada.ca/fr/agence-inspection-aliments/nouvelles/2019/04/expansion-des-zones-reglementees-pour-lagrile-du-frene-en-nouvelle-ecosse.html

Reminder of two schools that offer Urban Forestry Courses:

Maritime College of Forest Technology – Utility Arborist Course (2 year)

University of NB – Urban Forest Major (4 Year)

New research showing lidar as an option for urban forestry use, for more information contact the speaker directly:

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