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<br />5. BUSINESS ITEMS <br />a) FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES UPDATE <br />Parks Superintendent Jim Taylor introduced Zoe Olson, Natural Resources Stewardship and <br />Forestry Supervisor, who has been with the City for approximately six months. Olson provided <br />an overview of the City’s Forestry and Natural Resources programs and recent efforts. <br /> <br />Olson noted that the City manages approximately 340 acres of woodland, prairie, and wetland <br />areas. Natural resource management efforts are a collaborative process involving City staff, <br />maintenance teams, consultants including Stantec, contractors, and volunteers. <br /> <br />Staff provided a recap of the Natural Resources Master Plan, noting that initial efforts began in <br />2012 as part of the Parks Renewal Program. The first Natural Resources Master Plan was <br />launched in 2014 and implemented through 2023, with a focus on removing invasive species and <br />improving overall ecological quality. An updated Master Plan was completed at the end of 2024, <br />introducing updated vision, goals, policies, and best management practices based on new field <br />assessments. <br /> <br />Staff also highlighted that the City was awarded a $500,000 CPL Grant, which will support <br />implementation efforts from fall 2025 through spring 2028. <br /> <br />Staff outlined key implementation strategies, including: <br /> Refining previously restored areas to ensure long-term sustainability <br /> Prioritizing larger restoration areas early to allow for future evaluation <br /> Sequencing projects to maximize the limited growing seasons within the grant period <br /> Integrating volunteer efforts strategically to complement contractor-led work <br /> <br />An example of implementation at Materion Park was provided, where approximately 9.5 acres <br />are being actively managed due to buckthorn regrowth and inconsistent native seed <br />establishment. Staff reviewed recent and planned restoration activities, including contractor <br />work, volunteer events, and future treatment and monitoring efforts. <br /> <br />Since the Master Plan implementation began, staff reported: <br /> Over 250 volunteer hours contributed <br /> Awarding a grant contract to Stantec <br /> Planning efforts spanning 23 parks and approximately 170 acres of natural areas <br /> Completion of 33 acres of restoration work during the current winter season <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />