11 May 2007

Plan of action to support our urban forest

A draft action plan to protect, improve and manage the city's urban forest has been endorsed by the council's Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee today and is now available for public feedback.

The draft Urban Forest Plan proposes a range of council initiatives and actions across the Auckland isthmus over the next 10 years.

These include:

* establishing an integrated ecosystem approach to managing the forest

* initiating planting programmes to reflect the city's amazing natural landscape, heritage and cultures

* engaging the wider community in protecting and managing the urban forest and native habitats

* promoting and advocating an understanding of the benefits and value of the city's urban forest.

The urban forest plan is one of six open space plans being developed as part of Our Collective Taonga: Places for People, Places for Nature. Our Collective Taonga: Places for People, Places for Nature is the council's policy framework for the long-term protection, improvement and management of Auckland's open spaces.

A first draft of the plan was reported to the committee in March 2007 and endorsed for key stakeholder consultation. The council has since consulted with representatives from the Department of Conservation, The Ministry for the Environment, Auckland Regional Council, New Zealand Ecological Restoration Network, The Tree Council, and the Royal Forest and Bird Society of New Zealand (central Auckland branch).

Now that the plan is open for wider stakeholder feedback, Ms Caughey encourages people to get involved and have a say.

"The urban forest contributes significantly to the city's identity and unique sense of place. This plan is an important piece of work because it sets the framework for the protection and management of the city's trees and biodiversity which will lead to a more sustainable city."

The feedback period will run until 15 June with the 'Places for People, Places for Nature' consultation process. A series of workshops with specific stakeholder groups such as community boards and community interest groups will be held to ensure a robust discussion around the proposed initiatives.

Copies of both the draft Urban Forest Plan and Places for People, Places for Nature are available from www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/plans or by phoning the council on 09 379 2020.

ENDS

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