By Gazette Staff
July 21st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has once again been recognized as a tree city by the World Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry, Enrico Scalera
This marks the third consecutive year that the city has received this honor, highlighting Burlington continued leadership in urban forestry and our commitment to protecting and enhancing tree canopy. I’ll talk a little bit about what this means, and then invite our Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry, Enrico Scalera, to say a few words, and then we will once again gather for a photo.
We have been recognized with this honor again, and to qualify, the city met rigorous international standards in urban forestry. Our forestry team has excelled in these five areas to meet the criteria to be a tree city of the world: the five are creating a plan that ensures the city is responsible for tree care. Secondly, managing our Urban trees. Third, assessing and maintaining an inventory of Burlington trees and resources. Fourth, resource our tree management plan and finally, celebrating trees with at least one annual event.
These standards demonstrate a commitment to urban forestry and sustainable practices, which our forestry group exemplifies each and every day for our city. We also invest in our urban forestry and tree canopy: this year’s total forestry budget is $5.48 million of that the city devotes 3.48 4 million for tree maintenance, 1.3 million for tree planting and forest health initiatives, and $670,000 for forest protection. And this honors our city’s deep and growing commitment to protecting and growing our tree canopy and building climate resilience. Council’s approval of the Urban Forest Master Plan and the success of our community driven free tree giveaways, planting efforts, we’re not just planting trees, we’re helping to grow a sustainable community for generations to come.
One of the most magnificent tree canopies in the city.
Rico Scaleri: “Joining us today are Steve Robinson, Manager of Urban Forestry, and supervisors, Melissa Torque, Kyle McLaughlin, Drew Detner and Josh Reed. Their expertise, passion and dedication are the driving force behind this achievement, whether you’re planting, pruning, enforcing bylaws, responding to storm events or engaging with the community, your work is truly the backbone of our success. Last year, council approved the Urban Forest Master Plan and the woodland management strategy. Building on that momentum, this year, we’ve continued to make real strides in advancing our forestry goals. We launched a significant tree maintenance rebate pilot program, supported numerous community planting events that, in addition to our own programs, have already added almost 4000 trees to our landscape, and that’s to date with more to come.”
Just as many Councillors as there are forestry staff in this photograph. These should be just the Mayor and perhaps the Deputy Mayor overseeing Forestry.
Scaleri added: “We’ve embraced innovation such as the Middle Way conversion project along the Crosstown trail, and have a partnership with the University of Toronto to monitor forest health using drone technology. These are just a few examples of the forward thinking projects our staff are delivering on top of the essential day to day maintenance work that keeps our urban forestry health healthy and resilient. This recognition is a great achievement for the city and our forestry team, and through these efforts, we’re creating lasting environmental benefits for many years to come. Thank you again for this opportunity to speak before you this morning, – over to you, Mayor.”
What a joke.
I notice that many trees are planted but little follow-up on watering .The net effect of new trees planted in Burloak park is that 50% died in a few months.
I also don’t see the point of planting more trees that will block views of the Lake from the path.what ever happened to creating “Windows on the Lake?”