COQUITLAM, B.C., May 6, 2026 – Coquitlam has officially adopted the City’s new Urban Forest Management Strategy, 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.

A Long-Term Commitment to a Green Coquitlam

The Strategy provides a roadmap for how the City will manage trees and natural spaces over the coming decades, with a focus on strengthening climate resilience, enhancing livability, adapting to warming temperatures, and maintaining the green character that residents value.

Building on technical research, public engagement and Council direction, the adopted Strategy outlines practical goals and 47 actions to help ensure Coquitlam’s urban forest remains a defining part of the community for generations to come. Key actions include: 

• Expanding tree planting requirements for all development city-wide, with a fee to cover the value of any trees that can’t be accommodated onsite, which will fund tree planting in the community
• Incentives for tree planting and tree care on private property
• Public education on the value of trees and volunteer opportunities to connect residents with their parks and trees
• Annual reporting on key metrics to ensure transparency and accountability about the Strategy’s impact and effectiveness

Developed with Community Input and Local Realities in Mind

The Strategy has been informed by public engagement and feedback, where engagement participants highlighted the value of the urban forest, protection for trees, reducing barriers to planting on private property and maintaining green spaces amid continued growth. 

Council’s adoption reflects both this community input and the need to balance environmental priorities with legislated housing and infrastructure requirements.

The final Strategy includes a commitment to ongoing monitoring, measurable indicators including a 50% city-wide tree canopy cover, and regular public reporting to track progress and inform future policy updates. 

Growing from Strategy to Action

Implementation of the Strategy will begin this year, with early actions focused on expanding planting initiatives, enhancing public education programs such as Tree Spree, and advancing policy tools that support tree retention and replacement across the city.

The City will continue to work with residents, schools, developers and community partners to support tree stewardship and identify new opportunities for planting throughout Coquitlam.

Residents can read the Urban Forest Management Strategy and Implementation Plan at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/UrbanForest.

Media Contact
Kathleen Reinheimer
Director Parks
604-927-6300
KReinheimer@coquitlam.ca   

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.