Community Tree Survey - Help us grow the Urban Forest

UPDATE

The results from this survey

The respondents to this survey placed a high value on the urban forest and are aware of the declining canopy cover. Strong opinion was given on the nature of private development and that the responsibility of protecting and managing the urban environment is a shared one. There is a desire for legislative change around development and the protection of private trees. The responses received indicated a desire for Council to be proactive in lobbying for legislation that increases the protection of privately owned trees; and enables more influence in ensuring that private developments contribute to canopy cover.

Opportunities exist for community education on the limitations that Council confronts in regard to existing development and tree protection laws; education targeted at developers and property owners on the value of the urban forest; education on the selection process that Council uses for street tree species, and that they are selected to ensure that negative impacts to the community are minimised; and education on the development of habitat.

A focus on promoting the opportunity to be involved in protecting and managing the urban forest through the Urban Forest Interactive, among other activities, will inform further on the nature of volunteering being sought.

What has happened

To contribute to community education on the Urban Forest, the Urban Forest Interactive (UFI) has been launched. UFI promotes and communicates the benefits of trees by utilising data collected on Council's 37,176 public street and park trees. It allows members of the public to access tree data online any time and on any deveice, in an engaging and interactive way.

UFI can be accessed at trees.burnside.sa.gov.au

THE ORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT:

The City of Burnside is recognised widely for its green and leafy suburbs. Our trees collectively form the City's urban forest; providing many environmental and social benefits.

Effective management of the urban forest will ensure that this asset is retained for future generations to enjoy. Understanding how people perceive trees and their knowledge of the benefits of the urban forest will help us manage this asset over time.

The City of Burnside is seeking your participation in the community survey to help us better understand how to effectively manage the urban forest. Please complete the online survey below by 5 pm Thursday 1 March 2018.

For more information contact Ben Seamark, Council's Coordinator Operations, on 8366 4200 or email bseamark@burnside.sa.gov.au