Basic Summary of the Online & Open House Survey Feedback

The Town of Collingwood is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) to assess the Town’s urban forest and provide direction for management of this important resource. A Community Open House was held in April that described the UFMP development process. Subsequently, a questionnaire was posted on Engage Collingwood for residents to complete and provide input. The brief description of the Questionnaires and results are provided below.

Feedback on UFMP Guiding Statements/Direction:

The first questionnaire assessed the reader’s level of agreement with the Guiding Principles, Vision Statement, and Goals for the UFMP, developed by the Project Steering Committee.

The responses showed broad support for the guiding statements for the UFMP. Response showed that between 89% and 100% of the respondents agreed or could live with each statement, and 13 of the 18 questions had responses greater than 95% (approval/acceptance).

Comments also reflected support for policies affecting budget/costs (too high or too low), community education/participation, private lands (i.e. limiting tree removals or support for planting), and the development process’s relationship with the urban forest.

Feedback on Collingwood’s Urban Forest, Policy, and Management of Town trees:

Nine questions involving the importance of trees and the urban forest to the community, tree maintenance, budgeting/costs, and regulation were presented.

78% of respondents agreed or could live with the need for a private tree by-law and 80% expressed interest in participating in community projects. Responses to other questions regarding importance of trees, required budget increases to support tree planting and maintenance, and achieving the Town’s canopy cover goals were between 94% and 100% agreement or acceptance.

Thank you for sharing feedback and ideas. Review is now underway and your feedback will help guide plan-building and decision-making.