Monday's meeting included presentations from the King Township Library and the TRCA regarding King's Tree Canopy.
You can watch the video here but the link will only be live for two weeks.
Quick Links
Mayor's Comments
• Taste of King is being held Oct. 26 - Nov.9 and includes locations in Schomberg, Nobleton and King City. For two delicious weeks, savour exclusive prix-fixe meals at some of King’s best restaurants. Discover hidden culinary gems and support local businesses. Click here for more.
• King is doing a Transportation Masterplan review. A TMP is a detailed, long-term planning document that provides details on how the Township will enhance, manage, and invest in King's transportation infrastructure. Have your say and participate in the survey on SpeaKing.
• Remembrance Day – King Remembers. The community is invited to commemorate the fallen soldiers who fought for our freedom at one of three upcoming Remembrance Day services in King Township and the surrounding area: Kettleby Cemetery Sunday November 10th at 10:45, Bolton Cenotaph Sunday, November 10th at 12:45pm, Schomberg Cenotaph Monday, November 11th at 10:30am, Aurora Cenotaph Monday, November 11th at 10:45am.
• One of a King – Handmade Holiday Market Nov. 23-24 at the King Municipal Centre
• King is looking for the support of the citizens to help build, operate, and maintain small outdoor neighbourhood rinks throughout the Township. All materials and equipment will be provided to build and maintain the outdoor rink. Click here to learn more.
• King is looking for residents who are passionate about King's sporting history to help induct the class of 2026 in the inaugural King Township Sports Hall of Fame. Applicants must be aged 16 years or older and will be required to attend in-person monthly meetings, starting January 2025. Click here for more.
• Learn about where your tax dollars go. King’s Proposed 2025 Operating and Capital Budget Book will be available online November 1st plus there are a series of presentations where you can ask your questions and learn more.
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
King Township Library Presentation
As part of the Public Library Month, the CEO of King’s Libraries, Adele Reid, made a presentation to council to raise awareness and celebrate the role of libraries. In 2023, over 8,000 King residents were members of King’s libraries which saw 80,254 branch visits, 53,688 books and materials borrowed, 78,801 digital items borrowed.
Adele shared the results of a new measurement tool, called VOLT, that analyses information that libraries already collect to create a value for the Social Return on Investment. VOLT helps Ontario public libraries measure and demonstrate their value and impact within their community through a monetary value which many find a more relevant measure. To calculate the value, VOLT uses census population data, King’s own usage statistics along with physical information about the branches. Using this information, VOLT determined that the libraries offered a $5.6m Economic Benefit in return for it’s $2.1m operating cost.
TRCA's Study on King's Tree Canopy
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority did a study for York Region to identify regional tree canopies, noting that King has 9.6 million trees. The study used satellite imagery, Geographic Information System tools, and ground surveys, to quantify the existing distribution of King’s forest. As part of the process, soil conditions were also evaluated and invasive species recorded.
In 2021, York Region produced a canopy cover map which showed trees covered 34% of King’s land area which is short of the 36-41% that York Region recommends for King in their Forest Management Plan. Part of the study included recommending tree planting areas.
The review also found that 83% of King’s canopy fell on private lands and only 17% on public lands highlighting the importance of private land managers.
King’s Tree Population does include standing dead or dying trees but a large part of that are the Ash trees which had the Emerald ash borer infestation a few years ago.
At least one invasive species was present on 48% of sites with the most common being European Buckthorn. This species is a particular concern because it can grow into dense thickets very quickly reducing native plants and also prevents the development of young native trees without providing the same quality of food and habitat to wildlife.
Another component of the study was to examine the most common species in King and determine their vulnerability to climate change. 13 of the 20 most abundant species in King were found to be highly vulnerable to climate change including the three highlighted in red. This can be addressed by planting a wider diversity of resilient species and planting new trees in good soil and providing water and maintenance.
61% of trees are small. As tree size increases in forests, so do their environmental, social, and economic benefits. including improvements to air, water, and the ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere via storage. It is important to maintain trees so they can grow into larger trees and provide more benefits.
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