A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMUNITY TREE NURSERIES: THE GREEN LEGACY FEASIBILITY STUDY Amber Cantell & Brianne Curry Nov. 2, 2018
The Challenge The Million Tree Challenge History How do we significantly increase tree planting in London?
What is a community tree nursery? “A nursery facility which grows trees for direct use (i.e., not for sale) in community planting programs and/or for distribution to residents.”
What is a community tree nursery? Can be run by: Municipalities Conservation authorities Charities Not-for profit grassroots groups Depending on operating model, may include extensive volunteer and environmental education opportunities
Wellington County’s Green Legacy Programme Launched in 2004 to celebrate Wellington’s 150 th Built nursery on donated land Grew 150,000 seedlings for distribution Over 2 million trees planted to date Believed to be the largest municipal tree planting program in North America
Our Objectives Assess the feasibility of a “Green Legacy” model Describe “as - is” Explore: for urban areas Explore: for London Create assessment tools that could be used by any community
The Partners ReForest London (charity) Million Tree Challenge City of London (single-tier municipality) Canopy cover targets (22% -> 28% by 2035) Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Forest cover goals School Boards (TVDSB, LDCSB) Environmental education objectives
Methodology Shadowing & documenting @ Wellington Create operating manual Interviews with other nurseries, past and present What causes CTNs to succeed? What causes them to fail? Business case modelling Infrastructure assessment
About the Green Legacy Programme: People Power! Nursery is volunteer-driven and education-focused Main volunteers: elementary school students 52 other volunteer groups 763 unique adult volunteers and co-op students Over 13,000 volunteers last year Staff: 4 permanent full time staff Student volunteers 1 x 9-month Nursery Lead Hand transplanting seedlings 8 seasonal staff
2017 Production at the Green Legacy Conifer Potted , 8% Hardwood Plugs , 20% Conifer Plugs , 70% Hardwood Potted , 2%
Distribution of trees Outplants, 20,000 Annual Warden's Planting, 3,000 Municipal Tree Days, 35,000 Individual orders, 57,000 Conservation Authorities, 50,000 Over 100,000 trees are “spoken for” before orders are open to the public on October 1 each year.
About the Green Legacy Programme: Finances 2018 Operating Budget: $796,300 162,000 trees (90% seedlings)/year Program is 100% municipally funded (less than 2% Wellington’s municipal budget) Initial Capital: ~$755,000 Heritage building renovation (office) Cooler building Greenhouses Washroom building and picnic pavilions
Two Facilities (North/South) As part of the program, Wellington County covers the cost of all busing for participating schools
Other Case Studies Explored Burford Nursery Warwick Nursery Greening of Detroit Nursery Forests for Life Program Others known: Land Care Niagara City of Calgary City of Saskatoon
Benefits of a CTN Consistent supply • Fill gaps in regional supply, and allow planting organizations to plant more, reliably Control over growing • Planting organizations can plant what is wanted and needed, and plan for future needs • Locally adapted seed and plants; controlled seed sourcing Value • Community nurseries generate significant value beyond the value of stock itself, including numerous social and educational benefits
Benefits of a CTN Inspire planting • Engaging children and the community in the growing of trees will drive tree planting and inspire individuals to participate Environmental Education • Meet local demand for hands-on experiential education opportunities. • Facilitate a deeper understanding of urban forestry issues and trees. “One stop shopping” • Reduce administrative burden and create efficiencies by single sourcing, reduced travel distances
Why a community nursery? Current planting rates insufficient to meet targets Must either spend more or find ways to do more with what resources are available Volunteers: Provide valuable inkind and leveraging Opportunities for landowner engagement that just buying more trees can’t do City-building, environmental education and cultural shifts
Our Outputs Feasibility Study Report Modelling Tool Operations Manual All available for download at: http://reforestlondon.ca/ green-legacy-feasibility- study Feedback welcome!
Exploring the Modelling Tool: Stock Considered Stock Types Included: Seedlings Small potted stock (1-3 gal) Large potted stock (4-10 gal) Pot-in-pot caliper (15 gal) Shrubs Domestic fruit trees Excluded… Bareroot stock B&B caliper trees
Exploring the Modelling Tool
Developing Scenarios for London: Impacts of an Urban Context Example - Comparing London to Wellington: City of Wellington London County Population, 2016 383,822 90,932 Land Area (km 2 ) 420 2,600 Population Density per km 2 913 35 Annual Municipal Budget $572,469,000 $213,500,000
Developing Scenarios for London: Impacts of an Urban Context Need for fewer, but bigger trees Each landowner likely to plant far fewer trees Need for much more time spent on marketing and talking with landowners More people , more financial resources , more possible partners , less land
Example Scenarios Our scenarios… All trees are distributed completely free to community partners, residents Cover all busing for students All use the same mortality & inflation rates All assume the same staff for planting and distribution programs Caliper trees assumed to be planted by contractors and mainly grown by staff
Example Scenarios Scenario A: All trees for London (seedlings, small & large potted, 15 gal “pot in pot” caliper, fruit, + some shrubs) ~ 60,000 trees/year Scenario B: As above, less domestic fruit and caliper trees ~ 46,000 trees/year
Example Scenarios: Results Scenario A Scenario B (all trees) (no caliper or fruit) Total Plants Distributed 59,938 45,930 Annual Operating Cost $1,344,523 $1,118,985 Annual Project Value $2,576,201 $1,513,248 (to purchase and plant the annual supply) Initial Capital Cost $2,206,073 $1,067,999 Acres 11.0 1.4 Volunteer Hours 25,020 24,770 Effective FTEs (paid staff 27.7 24.7 and discounted volunteer labour)
Key Findings: Models CTNs could produce 30% operational savings (project value) over commercial cost Thanks to the high level of volunteer engagement But highly scenario dependant Caliper trees could generate considerable cost-savings for a communities with high demand (e.g. boulevards) Major implications for capital costs, space
Key Findings: Models Our models: big leap in trees supplied in year 4 and reach capacity in year 8 CTNs are highly active and provide opportunities for thousands of volunteers every year
Conclusions Community tree nurseries can be a feasible game- changing, community- building way to achieve urban forestry and environmental education goals
Many thanks to our project partners… Wellington County City of London London District Catholic School Board Thames Valley District School Board Upper Thames River Conservation Authority And to the project funders:
And to you! Thank you for listening! Questions?
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