Tree-related news in Quebec
Here’s a quick and non-exhaustive overview of the highlights of tree-related news in Quebec during the past few months.
Urban forests
1. City of Québec’s Tree Vision: mid-term review
After five years of implementation, the City publishes a report on the various actions deriving from its plan entitled Vision de l’arbre 2015-2025 (Tree Vision 2015-2025). This report also presents the orientations and upcoming projects for 2021 to 2025.
2. Montréal Climate Plan
Last May, the City of Montréal launched its Climate Plan 2020-2030. This plan contains 46 actions and aims at reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve this goal, Montréal is planning to plant at least 500,000 new trees on its territory between 2020 and 2030.
Research
1. Project about the impact of urban trees on allergies and asthma
This research project of the Université de Sherbrooke aims at understanding direct and indirect impacts of tree diversity on urban air pollutants, pollens, and microbes found in the air and in green spaces, and how this influences allergies in human populations.
2. Tree species to reforest urban heat islands
A video reportage was published about a new joint research from the Université du Québec à Montréal and Université Laval. This study aims at assessing various forest species and scenarios for site preparation to reforest urban heat islands. It indicates that trials are performed on highway ramps in the City of Laval.
3. Pollution: willows to the rescue
A recent study conducted in Quebec shows that willow plantations could be used to treat waste water while producing biofuel.
Past events
1. Recognizing natural assets in financial statements, a key challenge in Canada
On November 12, the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) held a discussion group on Zoom about the accounting treatment of natural capital. The group discussed the benefits, issues, and challenges related to the declaration of natural capital in financial statements. It is an important meeting for public sector entities, financial institutions, and private sector investors looking at investing in green infrastructure according to ESG (environment, social and governance) criteria. The meeting is based on a proposal submitted to the PSAB and signed by 69 organizations in June 2021 and on additional information provided to the PSAB by the Intact Centre, KPMG, and the MNAI.
2. Conference on biodiversity
This event organized by Réseau Environnement and Réseau Reboisement Ligniculture Québec (2RLQ) took place from October 4 to 6. The theme was: La forêt à l’ère des changements climatiques : regards sur la forêt québécoise et le parc forestier en milieux urbanisés (The forest in an era of climate change: perspectives on Quebec forest and forest park in urban environments). The presentations are available in replay.
3. Mixed and hardwood forest planning – drought, regeneration, and herbivory
As part of the event Rendez-vous de la connaissance en aménagement forestier durable organized by the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP), several conferences were presented online on November 16. This event was organized in collaboration with the Université du Québec en Outaouais. Discussed topics included challenges related to drought, the increase of deer populations, and climate changes regarding the productivity of temperate hardwood and mixed forests in Quebec.
4. Ash restoration project
A video about a new research project funded by the NSERC Alliance grants was presented at Université Laval on November 3. The project aims at developing knowledge which will ultimately create emerald ash borer resistant trees.
5. Forest engineer Louis Bélanger honoured with the Medal of the National Assembly
Sylvain Gaudreault, member for Jonquière in the National Assembly of Quebec gave the Medal of the National Assembly to engineer Louis Bélanger. A true visionary, Louis Bélanger dedicated his career to create the foundations of a sustainable and integrated forest planning in Quebec.
Upcoming events
1. AmeriDendro 2022
A 4th edition of the AmeriDendro conference on dendrochronology will be hosted at the Université du Québec à Montréal in downtown Montréal from June 27 to July 1. AmeriDendro 2022’s organization committee and scientific committee expect a strong participation of the Canadian scientific community.
2. 5th World Congress on Agroforestry 2022
The 5th world congress on agroforestry entitled Transitioning to a Viable World will take place in Québec City from July 17 to 20, 2022. Participants will also be able to attend online. For more information about the discussed topics, the registration process, the program, and the call for abstracts, visit the congress website.
Miscellaneous
Survey about Tree Canada in Quebec
Tree Canada wants to assess its visibility in Quebec as well as your interest in connecting to their activities and receiving various types of information related to trees. This survey will only take 3 minutes to complete and will provide direction on Tree Canada’s activities in Quebec and the content of future articles.
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