Trees and Forests Advisory Committee
Role
While it is the legislative mandate of the Municipal Council to make the
final decision on all matters that affect the Municipality, the role of an
advisory committee is to provide recommendations, advice and information to the
Municipal Council on those specialized matters which relate to the purpose of
the advisory committee, to facilitate public input to City Council on programs
and ideas and to assist in enhancing the quality of life of the community, in
keeping with the Municipal Council’s Strategic Plan principles. Advisory
committees shall conduct themselves in keeping with the policies set by the
Municipal Council pertaining to advisory committees, and also in keeping with
the Council Procedure By-law.
The Trees and Forests Advisory Committee serves as a resource and information
support group to the Planning and Environment
Committee the Municipal Council, and its Committees as required, and to the
citizenry and provides advise on the following matters:
The formation and implementation of London's Urban Forest Strategy through
three main areas:
Planning & Protection
- provide advice on the development and monitoring of London's Urban
Forest Strategy;
- provide advice on City’s policies, by-laws and guidelines which effects
trees;
- work with the City's Corporate Communications Division and the Culture
Office to publicize the benefits and importance of the initiatives designed
to achieve the objectives of the Municipal Council through such vehicles as
the Urban Forest Strategy and the Creative City Committee; and
- provide advice concerning the co-ordination of London's efforts with
adjacent municipalities with a view to maximizing the retention of existing
trees, woodlands and natural areas to maximize the retention of existing
trees, woodlands and natural areas.
Planting & Renewal
- encourage public participation in initiatives designed to achieve the
objectives of the Municipal Council as identified in the Urban Forest
Strategy;
- provide advice on the expansion and advertisement of City and community
programs to support community planting initiatives;
- encourage the expansion of annual tree planting programs (parks, natural
areas and streets) to meet demand;
- work with the Civic Administration to pursue opportunities for federal,
provincial and corporate funding for tree planting initiatives; and
- provide advice in support of the City’s Role in its 10 year partnership
undertaking ‘Million Tree Challenge’.
Management & Maintenance
- provide advice on the development of a comprehensive plan for tree and
forest management city-wide;
- support the retention and health of trees on private lands; and
- educate and build awareness of best practices for the maintenance and
management of trees.
to investigate such other aspects of environmental concerns as may be
suggested by the Municipal Council, its other Committees, or the Civic
Administration; and
Composition
Voting Members
Maximum of fourteen members consisting of:
Five members-at-large with related expertise
One representative from each of the following:
- A representative of the Environmental and Ecological Planning Advisory
Committee
- A representatives with forestry expertise
- A local business association or tree-related business
- An active community planting group
- A representative of the Urban League of London
- A representative of the University of Western Ontario with related
expertise
- A representative of Fanshawe College with related expertise
- A representative of the Middlesex-London Health Unit
- A representative of the London Development Institute/London Home
Builders Association (jointly)
Non-Voting Resource Group
One representative from each of the following:
- Ministry of Natural Resources – London Office
- City's Community Services Department
- City Ecologist
- Urban Forester
- City's Planning Division
- Planning, Environmental & Engineering Services Department
- London Hydro
- Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority
- City Manager's Office
Sub-committees and Working Groups
The Advisory Committee may form sub-committees and working groups as may be
necessary to address specific issues; it being noted that the City Clerk's
office does not provide secretariat support to these sub-committees or groups.
These sub-committees and working groups shall draw upon members from the
Advisory Committee as well as outside resource members as deemed necessary. The
Chair of a sub-committee and/or working group shall be a voting member of the
Advisory Committee.
Term of Office
Concurrent with the term of the Municipal Council making the appointment.
Appointment Policies
Appointments shall be in keeping with Council Policy.
Qualifications
The representatives of the organizations must be members or employees of the
organizations they represent. Other members shall be chosen for their special
expertise, experience, dedication and commitment to the mandate of the
Committee. Non-voting representatives from local resource groups shall be
members or employees of the organization they represent.
Conduct
The conduct of Advisory Committee members shall be in keeping with Council
Policy.
Meetings
Meetings shall be once monthly at a date and time set by the City Clerk in
consultation with the advisory committee. Length of meetings shall vary
depending on the agenda. Meetings of working groups that have been formed by the
Advisory Committee may meet at any time and at any location and are in addition
to the regular meetings of the Advisory Committee.
Remuneration
Advisory committee members shall serve without remuneration.
COMMITTEE SECRETARY:
Name: Betty Mercier, Committee Secretary
Phone: 519-661-2500 ext. 0835
Fax: 519-661-4892