Forest Management Strategy

A decorative image showing a line drawing of downtown Kingston overlaid on a background of trees.

The City of Kingston is developing a Forest Management Strategy for its rural and urban forest and woodland areas. The new Forest Management Strategy will have a 20-year planning horizon that will include a strategic framework detailing policy, procedural, operational and regulatory program adjustments towards the achievement of a community-defined vision. The Forest Management Strategy will help achieve this by:

  • Establishing a community-supported vision for Kingston’s rural and urban forest,
  • Assessing the current state of the City’s rural and urban forest,
  • Summarizing community needs and aspirations, and
  • Developing a framework of goals, strategies, actions, indicators, and targets.

Public engagement will take place throughout April 2025 and will help shape the development of the Forest Management Strategy and learn more about the state of Kingston’s rural and urban forest.

A background review, including baseline forest assessments, is ongoing and will be completed in March 2025. Key findings from the background review will be available to the public at an open house on April 17 and will be shared here after and with project followers, the findings will appear again in the Forest Management Strategy itself.

Project Stages

Background information

Kingston’s forests include all trees, forests, green space, soils and ecosystems located within the municipality’s boundary, including those in urban and rural areas, and on public and private land. Trees are important community assets because they provide many environmental, social and economic benefits. Some of these benefits include cooling air temperatures, cleaning air, offering high-quality recreational opportunities and providing habitat for biodiversity.

An infographic showing an urban forest along a scale from urban land uses to rural land uses. On the left side of the image is the St. Lawrence Rive, moving right ornamental trees appear, as it shifts into the urban core and campus, street trees and private trees , appear in the low density residential areas, riparian trees and trees in green infrastructure appear along with park tress in parks, continuing right through industrial land uses and into the natural heritage system trees on conservation authority property are shown along with woodlands and natural ecosystems, moving into the rural and agricultural areas on the right edge of the graphic trees, owned by the province, shelter beds and forest are shown.

Get Involved and stay informed

Sign up for updates: Use the follow project feature to be added to our newsletter list. You'll receive news and updates as the project progresses and when new content is added to this site.

Participate in a workshop: Virtual workshops are scheduled on April 2, 3 and 4. They will include a short presentation followed by a facilitated discussion on specific questions and themes. April 2 is focused on the Indigenous community, April 3 is geared towards interested and impacted community groups and individuals, and April 4 is planned for those in industries and fields impacted by forest management. We are reaching out to invite participants but you can also email getinvolvedkingston@cityofkingston.ca and indicate which workshop you would like to attend.

Highlight important trees and areas: Is there a tree you love? A particular woodland area? Or something unique or special you want the project team to know about? Use the map tool below to Drop a pin or pins on a map and let us know what is special, unique or important about it; you can also include pictures.

Tell us a story: Use the stories tab below to tell us what your vision for the City of Kingston's forest is in 20 years. What does a successful Forest Management Strategy include, and what impact has it had on Kingston by 2045?

Attend an open house: On April 17, drop by the Kingston East Community Centre anytime between 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. We'll have project information available, including key findings from the background review and the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

Go for a walk in the woods: Join us on May 6 at City Park at 5:30 p.m. Staff from the City's forestry department will lead a walk through the park to talk about the significance of this mixed urban forest. The starting location within the park is to be confirmed; register for free to confirm your attendance.

Take our survey: This survey asks specific questions about your vision and priorities related to Kingston's forest. The survey closes May 11.

The City of Kingston is developing a Forest Management Strategy for its rural and urban forest and woodland areas. The new Forest Management Strategy will have a 20-year planning horizon that will include a strategic framework detailing policy, procedural, operational and regulatory program adjustments towards the achievement of a community-defined vision. The Forest Management Strategy will help achieve this by:

  • Establishing a community-supported vision for Kingston’s rural and urban forest,
  • Assessing the current state of the City’s rural and urban forest,
  • Summarizing community needs and aspirations, and
  • Developing a framework of goals, strategies, actions, indicators, and targets.

Public engagement will take place throughout April 2025 and will help shape the development of the Forest Management Strategy and learn more about the state of Kingston’s rural and urban forest.

A background review, including baseline forest assessments, is ongoing and will be completed in March 2025. Key findings from the background review will be available to the public at an open house on April 17 and will be shared here after and with project followers, the findings will appear again in the Forest Management Strategy itself.

Project Stages

Background information

Kingston’s forests include all trees, forests, green space, soils and ecosystems located within the municipality’s boundary, including those in urban and rural areas, and on public and private land. Trees are important community assets because they provide many environmental, social and economic benefits. Some of these benefits include cooling air temperatures, cleaning air, offering high-quality recreational opportunities and providing habitat for biodiversity.

An infographic showing an urban forest along a scale from urban land uses to rural land uses. On the left side of the image is the St. Lawrence Rive, moving right ornamental trees appear, as it shifts into the urban core and campus, street trees and private trees , appear in the low density residential areas, riparian trees and trees in green infrastructure appear along with park tress in parks, continuing right through industrial land uses and into the natural heritage system trees on conservation authority property are shown along with woodlands and natural ecosystems, moving into the rural and agricultural areas on the right edge of the graphic trees, owned by the province, shelter beds and forest are shown.

Get Involved and stay informed

Sign up for updates: Use the follow project feature to be added to our newsletter list. You'll receive news and updates as the project progresses and when new content is added to this site.

Participate in a workshop: Virtual workshops are scheduled on April 2, 3 and 4. They will include a short presentation followed by a facilitated discussion on specific questions and themes. April 2 is focused on the Indigenous community, April 3 is geared towards interested and impacted community groups and individuals, and April 4 is planned for those in industries and fields impacted by forest management. We are reaching out to invite participants but you can also email getinvolvedkingston@cityofkingston.ca and indicate which workshop you would like to attend.

Highlight important trees and areas: Is there a tree you love? A particular woodland area? Or something unique or special you want the project team to know about? Use the map tool below to Drop a pin or pins on a map and let us know what is special, unique or important about it; you can also include pictures.

Tell us a story: Use the stories tab below to tell us what your vision for the City of Kingston's forest is in 20 years. What does a successful Forest Management Strategy include, and what impact has it had on Kingston by 2045?

Attend an open house: On April 17, drop by the Kingston East Community Centre anytime between 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. We'll have project information available, including key findings from the background review and the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

Go for a walk in the woods: Join us on May 6 at City Park at 5:30 p.m. Staff from the City's forestry department will lead a walk through the park to talk about the significance of this mixed urban forest. The starting location within the park is to be confirmed; register for free to confirm your attendance.

Take our survey: This survey asks specific questions about your vision and priorities related to Kingston's forest. The survey closes May 11.

Kingston's forest in 2045

What does your vision for Kingston's forest look like in 20 years? What does a successful Forest Management Strategy include, and what is the impact is has had on Kingston by 2045?  Email getinvolvedkingston@cityofkingston.ca or call 613-546-0000 if you require assistance, an alternate format or accommodation to submit feedback.

Your story can take many formats and be in any style. Submitted stories will be visible on this site, please avoid using identifying personal information. 

Submissions close May 11, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

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  • Ideas for consideration

    by Bruce , 7 days ago

    Here are some ideas for what Kingston can do on public land, for consideration .

    Urban Forest Management in Kingston - Strategic Actions for Public Lands

    1. Leverage and Update the Urban Forest Management Plan

    • Kingston’s Urban Forest Management Plan (2011–2030) provides a framework — but ongoing updates are key to address:

    • Climate change adaptation

    • Invasive species (e.g., emerald ash borer)

    • Equity in canopy cover across districts like Rideau Heights vs Sydenham


    2. Prioritize Tree Planting in Underserved Neighbourhoods

    • Use tree equity tools and GIS mapping to target low-canopy, heat-vulnerable areas.

    • Consider partnerships with... Continue reading

  • Loss of tree canopy in Calvin Park

    by Bruce , 7 days ago

    The importance of tree canopy to help buffer the impacts of heat sinks in our neighbourhoods is well documented. Recent experience in Calvin Park illustrate how the lack of a rigorous policy is resulting in significant losses without being addressed. See photos of Norman Roger’s Drive that compare the same section in 2013 vs 2022. This was caused by Utilities Kingston while installing gas line upgrades. all attempts to have UK mitigate this inpact by planting replacement trees have failed. Why was this permitted to be done in the first place? Why is the city not holding Utilities Kingston accountable... Continue reading

  • Foreseeable consequences

    by KATE BETTS-WILMOTT, 8 days ago
    When we viewed our house in ce tral Kingston there were no trees in the front yard. I was looking forward to gardening with full sun in the front yard because we had a lot of trees in the back.


    By the time we moved in the city had planted a Canada 150 tulip planted in our front yard directly....under the power lines. Perhaps the previous owner had requested it and forgotten. Maybe they just used the hole from the 'for sale' sign.


    It is a fast growing tree and will need tripping in a few years to avoid a... Continue reading

Page last updated: 28 Mar 2025, 11:38 AM