COQUITLAM, B.C., November 26, 2025 – Coquitlam is developing a new Urban Forest Management Strategy that takes a fresh, practical approach to protecting and enhancing the City’s trees and natural spaces as the community continues to grow.

When complete, the Strategy will aim to support Coquitlam’s broader goals of environmental sustainability, livability and climate resilience by helping ensure the City’s trees continue to thrive for generations to come.

A Rooted Approach to Urban Forest Management

Founded in research and supported by community input, the Strategy will focus on actions the City can control to protect and grow the urban forest in achievable and measurable ways, including:

• Strengthening tree planting, stewardship and community involvement across Coquitlam: Introducing a greater diversity of tree species and sizes onto City property, exploring creative planting solutions in high-density areas and on school property through partnership agreements, and inspiring residents to plant and care for trees through education, incentives and volunteer programs.
• Expanding tree replacement requirements city-wide and introducing a cash-in-lieu system: Applying consistent tree replacement standards across all developments, and allowing developers to contribute funds when on-site planting isn’t possible, which will generate new resources to support tree planting, education, and maintenance throughout the city.
• Prioritizing incentives and education over new tree regulations: Maintaining Coquitlam’s current Tree Management Bylaw while expanding incentive and education programs to encourage more tree planting on private property and keep administrative requirements simple for residents. 

Rather than set an arbitrary tree canopy target, Coquitlam has opted instead for a flexible approach that reflects the reality of a growing and densifying community – particularly given new provincial housing requirements for more homes and density in existing neighbourhoods. The goals of the Urban Forest Management Strategy will balance housing needs with environmental sustainability while ensuring trees remain a defining and valued part of the community.

Research Finds Strong Roots with Room to Grow 

Early research found that Coquitlam’s urban forest is in good overall health. The tree canopy cover, defined as the percentage of land covered by trees when viewed from above, is about 52% overall and 33% within the urban area, which is above the regional average of 31%. This strong result reflects years of City investment in parks, green corridors and tree planting programs such as Tree Spree, which has added 5,000 to 10,000 new trees each year since 2022.

The study also identified areas for improvement, including:

• Expanding tree species diversity to make the forest more resilient to pests, disease and climate change.
• Creating better data and inventories of trees on City property to help make better decisions about potential areas for planting, or assessments of tree conditions.
• Increasing City-wide long-term planning for tree planting beyond individual development projects.
• Providing incentives and funding tools to support tree planting on both public and private land.

The results of the research will be considered alongside community input to develop a draft Urban Forest Management Strategy unique to Coquitlam.

What We Heard from the Community

Public engagement took place in the spring of 2024. The results showed that Coquitlam residents care deeply about trees and green spaces. The community highly values the urban forest and the role it plays in community health and livability. 

In the survey feedback, participants shared concerns about the pressures of climate change, housing densification and the loss of trees as neighbourhoods redevelop. Many participants said they want to see more trees planted, stronger protection for existing trees and more opportunities to get involved in tree planting and stewardship in the community.

Read the full What We Heard report at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/UrbanForest. 

Next Steps

The early findings will be shared with the community and advisory committees in the coming months. A draft Urban Forest Management Strategy will be presented to Council in early 2026, followed by public review before the final Strategy is considered for adoption later that year.

Media contact:
Wendy Wiederick
Manager Urban Forestry
604-927-6300
parks@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.