Town of Kentville: Urban Forest Management Plan

The Town of Kentville is addressing critical vulnerabilities in its urban forest ecosystem caused by climate-related stressors including extreme heat, drought, and the spread of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, a destructive invasive pest threatening native hemlock stands. With two major urban forest areas—the Gorge and the Ravine—alongside street trees and park canopies in the downtown core, the town faces an aging and unevenly distributed canopy that lacks adequate data for effective management. Immediate priorities focus on closing foundational data gaps to inform strategic planting, conservation efforts, and targeted interventions, including the use of chemical treatments to protect hemlock trees until long-term biological controls, such as predatory insects, can be reliably implemented. The overarching goal is a sustainable, science-based urban forest management system over a 10-to-50-year horizon that ensures resilience, biodiversity, and public benefit. The procurement initiative, solicitation number TOK202618, seeks expert support to develop a comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan that aligns with these ecological and operational needs. The tender was posted on July 31, 2026, with responses due by August 27, 2026, and is managed by the Town of Kentville through its Contracting Authority, Darren Shupe. While the tender is listed on CanadaBuys, potential bidders are directed to the Nova Scotia Procurement Portal for the most current and accurate tender documents, including any amendments or addenda. Third-party platform registration may be required to access or submit materials. No costs are associated with acquiring documents, and the contract’s full duration and scope details are outlined in the official tender documentation.