Thunder Bay, ON — The City of Thunder Bay is asking residents to help shape the future of their urban forest through a review of policies that guide how trees are planted, maintained, and protected in public spaces across the municipality.
The urban forest review comes as the city looks to update its approach to tree management amid growing awareness of the environmental, social, and health benefits of a robust tree canopy. Residents are being encouraged to participate in a survey that will help guide decision-making on everything from street tree planting to park maintenance and canopy protection. The survey is open until June 19 and can be filled out on the Get Involved section of the city website.
The policy review process will examine current tree management practices, identify areas for improvement, and establish new guidelines for urban forestry that reflect community priorities. Key areas of focus include expanding tree canopy coverage in neighbourhoods with less green space, improving species diversity to build resilience against pests and climate change, and streamlining the process for residents to request street tree planting. The city’s current tree inventory data, including street tree surveys from 2015 and park tree inventories from 2018, serve as baseline information for the review.
A healthy urban forest provides shade, improves air quality, reduces stormwater runoff, and enhances neighbourhood livability, making tree canopy policy a critical component of Thunder Bay’s long-term sustainability planning.
Urban forests play an increasingly important role in climate resilience, helping to cool cities during heat waves, absorb carbon dioxide, and provide habitat for local wildlife. Thunder Bay’s policy review reflects a broader trend among Canadian municipalities that are strengthening urban forestry management in response to climate change and community demand for greener neighbourhoods. The city encourages all residents — whether homeowners, renters, or business owners — to participate in the survey and share their perspectives on how Thunder Bay’s trees should be managed for generations to come.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and share this information with friends and family. Following trusted local news sources helps ensure everyone stays up to date with events and announcements affecting Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
🔗 Read more on the City of Thunder Bay website
For more local news, weather, sports, events, and community updates across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, visit ThunderBay.Online — your trusted source for everything happening in the region.
📍 Source: City of Thunder Bay / TBT Newshour · By: Staff · 🗓️ June 15, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
