The Urban Forest Management Strategy was formally adopted by Council on Monday, May 4, 2026, establishing a long-term framework to protect, enhance and grow Coquitlam's urban forest as the community continues to evolve.

The Strategy builds on Coquitlam's successes, based on long-standing best management practices and policies focused on tree planting and incentives — which have placed the community in the top third of Metro Vancouver communities in terms of tree canopy cover.

The Strategy is organized around four theme areas: forests, urban trees, community involvement, and overall urban forest management. It is supported by a detailed Implementation Plan that outlines priority actions, timelines and how progress will be tracked.

To monitor success of the Strategy, the City will track measurable targets and report annually under five key areas: tree planting and replacement, urban tree health, urban tree diversity, forest and natural area management, and community involvement.

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

About the Project

We are developing a plan to maintain and enhance Coquitlam’s urban forest to benefit our community.

An urban forest consists of all trees, forests, vegetation and soils in our city, including in our yards, streets and parks.

Our urban forest provides us with many environmental, social, health and economic benefits. It supports high levels of biodiversity, improves air quality, cools urban heat islands, and provides high-value recreational opportunities. It is important for keeping our community happy and healthy.

But, urban forests face increasing challenges due to climate change, growing population, pests, and diseases.

To ensure our community continues to benefit from a healthy urban forest, we are in the process of developing an Urban Forest Management Strategy.

This strategy will:

• Evaluate the current conditions of Coquitlam’s urban forest
• Establish a community-supported urban forest vision and goals
• Provide guidance and strategic actions to grow, manage, and protect the city’s urban forest

The development of an Urban Forest Management Plan was identified as a short term action item in the City’s Environmental Sustainability Plan. The Urban Forest Management Strategy project background work started in November 2023.

Coquitlam’s Urban Forest is situated on the lands within the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation’s traditional and ancestral territory. This project is an important opportunity for the City and its partners to continue to demonstrate a commitment to advancing reconciliation through ongoing engagement and collaboration with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm representatives.