Urban Forestry Strategy

The City of Thorold is seeking a qualified proponent to develop a 25-year Urban Forestry Strategy extending to 2051, focusing on the monitoring, management, and expansion of the urban tree canopy on City-owned lands and rights-of-way. The project scope includes a comprehensive tree inventory, natural asset valuation, GIS-based spatial analysis, and a review of existing policies and peer municipality practices. The successful contractor will deliver a final strategy, an implementation roadmap, recommendations for a Tree Saving Plan and supporting by-law, and a presentation to Council. All deliverables intended for the city website must be AODA compliant, conforming to WCAG 2.0 Level AA and FCM accessibility guidelines. The contract is anticipated to commence in November 2026 and conclude by December 2027, with a target completion date for the primary strategy of April 30, 2027. The project duration is estimated between eight and twelve months, with an option for the City to extend the term by up to twelve additional months. Proposals are evaluated through a multi-stage process where technical methodology, work plan, and understanding of deliverables are weighted heavily, alongside a price evaluation based on a total base fee. Payment will be processed via monthly invoices. Proponents must demonstrate expertise in municipal natural asset management and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and specific commercial general liability and automobile insurance requirements.