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 management and expansion of the urban tree canopy on City-owned lands and rights-of-way. The project involves a comprehensive assessment including a tree inventory, natural asset valuation, GIS-based spatial analysis, and the acquisition of aerial imagery or LiDAR data. The successful proponent will create a long-term framework to support climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable growth, culminating in a final strategy, an implementation roadmap, and specific recommendations for a Tree Saving Plan and supporting by-law. The work must align with the City's Strategic Plan (2024-2027) and coordinate with other regional studies, such as the Port Robinson West Phase II Subwatershed Study. The contract is anticipated to commence in November 2026 and conclude by December 2027, with a target completion date for the primary deliverables by April 30, 2027. The project duration is estimated at eight to twelve months, with a potential one-year extension at the City's discretion. Proposals are evaluated through a multi-stage process focusing on methodology, work plan, understanding of deliverables, and price. Key requirements include the provision of AODA-compliant digital documents and adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Payment will be processed via monthly invoicing based on a total base fee and optional provisional services.