The Regional District of Nanaimo board has approved the new policy for Tree, Fire Risk and Invasive Species Management in RDN Parks and Trails.
The new policy encompasses four key areas of parks and trails management: tree removal; tree replacement; fire risk management; and invasive plant species management. Combining these areas under one policy will help the RDN better manage and maintain regional parks and trails, as well as provide a number of efficiencies.
“The new policy better aligns with the RDN’s environmental goals and will help ensure the diversity and longevity of our treasured parks and trails,” said chair Tyler Brown. “The policy will also provide clear and consistent direction based on current best practices.”
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The new policy provides comprehensive guidelines to enhance and maintain healthy rural and wilderness forested ecosystems, as well as for removing trees to protect RDN and private property infrastructure and other valued assets.
The policy requires that trees removed or lost due to human activity in RDN parks and trails will be replaced, reducing the overall loss of tree canopy in these areas.
A framework for the development of park-specific, fire management plans will also be developed. These plans will be designed to reduce the risk of fire in the RDN’s parks and to mitigate the damage of future fires.
In addition, the policy will provide the foundation of an invasive species management strategy. The strategy will help tackle invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom and giant hogweed.
— NEWS Staff, submitted