Dear Candidate:

Guelph Urban Forest Friends is a local group that advocates for better protection of urban trees and canopy. We make delegations to City Council, hold events to raise awareness about the importance of urban trees, and distribute information about the many benefits of trees, and the threats to trees, through our web site.

We have serious concerns about the continued loss of mature trees in our City and hear frequently from upset residents about tree removals. We are submitting these questions to candidates for City Council and respectfully request your response by October 18. The responses we receive will be posted on our web site and e-mailed to our list of 500 supporters.

For further information, please check our website (www.guffguelph.ca) or contact us. Thank you for your response. GUFF

Scott Nightingale – Mayoral Candidate

1. Currently all tree planting, maintenance and removal activities are the responsibility of the City’s Operations Department. Will you support and advocate for establishing an Urban Forest department headed by a forester with a degree in urban forestry? Why or why not.

Hey Friends. Great to have you in the city. I would like to see a team developed to assess the state of, and assemble a mapping of, the trees of Guelph.  It is my belief that trees are an undeniable asset to many urban issues, heat regulation, air quality, water; so many things… trees are a partner to this city.

2. Shade is important for reducing the heat island effect and for reducing the risk of skin cancer. Will you support and advocate for establishing a shade policy which would set goals for shade coverage along streets/sidewalks, in parking lots and in parks? Why or why not.

As far as establishing policy.  No one person alone makes policy and this question would be more appropriately answered within the chorus of the councillors.  I, however, would give serious time and consideration to the issue of shade and trees in general.  I say these things because I believe the business of legislation can be shady at best and often times leaves room for error and consequently  constant amendment and revision.  That’s politics for ya, and shade is in the interest of the people of Guelph but policy must be deliberated with care and concern for the future of the city.

3. There is currently no program in place to recognize or protect trees that are exceptionally large, old or have a significant history in the City. Will you support and advocate for a city program to be adopted during the next term of council aimed at designating and protecting Heritage Trees? Why or why not.

The word program I admit makes me nervous.  Because programs often mean money and money means motive and few remain satisfied because everyone has a different motive.  A program for designating heritage trees is important, of this there is no doubt.  But how important to how many people, and how much are they willing to pay for certain services.  This is my question.  I would suggest a program which tries to fund raise and approach the city with a big donation box.  But a fully funded program I do not necessarily see.

4. Though the City has adopted a goal of 40% tree canopy coverage, information about tree canopy loss due to development, road construction, etc. is not being collected. Will you support and advocate for collecting publicly accessible data, funded in the next budget cycle, on the annual removal of mature trees and loss of canopy within the City? Why or why not.

I would like to see such information collected.  I am personally unaware of how to tabulate the effects of construction towards the health of trees; I am aware however, that there is an effect.  Communication of information is a priority in my candidacy.  I am investigating the ways of getting the great wealth of issues communicated most effectively.  Many people in the city of Guelph feel affinity with the trees of their neighbourhood.  And, the community should have access to the things they care about.

5. The City does not have an inventory of trees in our urban forest (species, size, health, etc.), nor are trees given value as “assets” or “green infrastructure.” Will you support and advocate for an inventory of trees in the City, including the dollar value of the trees (using currently available computer programs that compute the dollar value of ecological services provided by trees)? Why or why not.

Yes, let’s inventory the trees.  What is your bid?  This is where the question is harder.  As I have said before, fiscal responsibility is in the interest of every politician.  One can easily fund everything that is important and find themselves with a hefty debt.  As long as we’re talking about computer programs that speculate on dollar values of trees, what do we NEED to know and how costly is the process?  I’d have to get my hands on the budget before I promised money for anything.  I would not want to do it wrong, but tree inventory is a large and costly task.

6. City Council recently passed a tree by-law which requires permits for removing large trees on properties over half an acre in size. This tree by-law only covers a small percentage of properties within the City. Will you support and advocate for expanding the existing tree by-law to cover all properties in Guelph? Why or why not.

My first reaction is yes until I realize… permits?  This has the potential to become a headache and a hurdle.  I would like to discuss further this question with the person in charge of the permits and assess the situation.  I am in favor of all tree removal being “permitted” but does the city have final say on land rights?  If we can say which things you can and can’t do with your property then what rights do you have?  How far do we want that to go?  How far in your pocket or in your backyard do you want your city council?

Scott Nightingale