News Release

Published on February 16, 2021


A blueprint to ensuring forests are more diverse, connected and resilient

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is inviting the public to participate in an online consultation toward the development of the final version of its Forest Strategy. The online questionnaire will be available today, February 16, 2021, until March 3, 2021.

The NCC’s Forest Strategy will guide how the NCC manages forests and trees on its lands, and how it plans to meet current and future challenges. It will consider trees and forests in urban areas, as well as in natural settings such as the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park, and provide a blueprint to ensure that forests are more diverse, connected and resilient.

This online consultation provides an opportunity for the public

  • to learn about the context of the strategy, including the challenges affecting our trees and forests;
  • to review the strategy’s proposed vision, goals, long-term objectives and short-term actions; and
  • to provide feedback into the full draft of the strategy before it is finalized.

This is the third and last phase of consultation toward the development of the NCC’s Forest Strategy, expected to be finalized in April 2021. Previous rounds of public and stakeholder consultations were held in June and October 2019. A summary report is available here.

Key Facts

  • The NCC Forest Strategy is a key initiative of the Sustainable Development Strategy, 2018–2023.
  • A total of 74 percent of NCC-managed lands are forested. Gatineau Park contributes over 30,000 hectares of tree canopy, and the Greenbelt contributes about 7,000 hectares.
  • According to a 2016 study, the value of forest ecosystems on NCC lands is estimated at $174 million per year.
  • Trees and forests provide many environmental, social and economic benefits:
    • absorbing harmful gasses, and releasing oxygen
    • providing habitat for wildlife
    • providing protection from the sun, and decreasing noise pollution
    • helping to drain away excess rain and snowmelt
    • increasing property values, and enriching the beauty of our landscapes
    • contributing to the social and psychological well-being of our communities.
  • The draft strategy includes 20 short-term actions to tackle challenges such as climate change and urban development.
  • A 2019 study completed by the University of Vermont in collaboration with the NCC, City of Ottawa and Ville de Gatineau analyzed the extensive tree canopy in Canada’s Capital Region. It found that, overall, the region has a robust tree canopy.

Media Information

NCC Media Relations

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