Environmental Advisory Committee

That the agenda for the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting of May 8, 2025 be adopted as amended to add Item 5.4 Update on Coboconk Lions Park Project.

That the minutes of the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting of March 21, 2025 by adopted as presented.

it resolved that: Whereas “Trees benefit the community by reducing flooding, controlling erosion, filtering water, regulating climate, removing and storing carbon, and cycling nutrients” (Healthy Environment Plan, page 47) and they also provide shade, reduce heat island effects and increase biodiversity; And whereas “Increasing the number of trees in Kawartha Lakes can reduce costs to the City over the long term (such as energy demand for cooling, water filtration, etc.)” (Healthy Environment Plan, page 48); And whereas “Protect and enhance our … urban tree canopy is an action committed to in the Kawartha Lakes 2024-2027 Strategic Plan” (page 8); And whereas the current tree canopy and, therein, a number of tree species (in particular ashes), are under threat from disease, insect damage, and the impact of the increased intensity of ice and hail storms resulting from the effects of climate change; And whereas our current urban tree canopy coverage lags behind other Ontario communities measuring their canopy (the only measurement we have for a City of Kawartha Lakes community is for Lindsay and was recorded as 19.2% by Kawartha Conservation, City of Peterborough’s most recent measurement is 29.2%, Kitchener’s is 26%, Toronto is 28.4%); And whereas there is currently no bylaw controlling cutting of trees on private property (which may lead to reductions in tree canopy); And whereas the amount of planting that can be done by City staff is limited (the three foresters on staff hav

That the meeting be adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

Be it resolved that: Whereas “Trees benefit the community by reducing flooding, controlling erosion, filtering water, regulating climate, removing and storing carbon, and cycling nutrients” (Healthy Environment Plan, page 47) and they also provide shade, reduce heat island effects and increase biodiversity; And whereas “Increasing the number of trees in Kawartha Lakes can reduce costs to the City over the long term (such as energy demand for cooling, water filtration, etc.)” (Healthy Environment Plan, page 48); And whereas “Protect and enhance our … urban tree canopy is an action committed to in the Kawartha Lakes 2024-2027 Strategic Plan” (page 8); And whereas the current tree canopy and, therein, a number of tree species (in particular ashes), are under threat from disease, insect damage, and the impact of the increased intensity of ice and hail storms resulting from the effects of climate change; And whereas our current urban tree canopy coverage lags behind other Ontario communities measuring their canopy (the only measurement we have for a City of Kawartha Lakes community is for Lindsay and was recorded as 19.2% by Kawartha Conservation, City of Peterborough’s most recent measurement is 29.2%, Kitchener’s is 26%, Toronto is 28.4%); And whereas there is currently no bylaw controlling cutting of trees on private property (which may lead to reductions in tree canopy); And whereas the amount of planting that can be done by City staff is limited (the three foresters on staff