Metro Vancouver Launches Urban Forest Strategy
With increasing heatwaves and flood risks, the region plans to plant 100,000 new trees by 2030 to bolster green canopy coverage and resilience.
Metro Vancouver has launched a bold new Urban Forest Strategy that aims to add 100,000 trees across the region by the end of the decade. The plan is designed to improve climate resilience and boost green canopy coverage in underserved neighborhoods.
“Urban forests are critical infrastructure,” said senior planner Derek Munro. “They reduce heat, improve air quality, and provide essential stormwater mitigation.”
The strategy includes detailed planting maps, species diversity targets, and partnerships with local community groups and schools. Areas with historically low canopy coverage—particularly parts of Surrey, Burnaby, and Coquitlam—are being prioritized.
Each municipality will be tasked with meeting individualized targets, with Metro Vancouver providing coordination and reporting tools. Public participation incentives include free saplings, planting workshops, and citizen tree-tracking apps.
City officials say the program will also support biodiversity and public health. “It’s not just about shade,” said urban ecologist Renata Cole. “It’s about creating more livable, breathable cities.”