Port Coquitlam Residents: urge City Council to preserve mature urban trees

As individual houses make way for higher density multi residence buildings, mature trees are disappearing in neighbourhoods all around Port Coquitlam. These trees, some well over 100 years old, provide important pocket habitats and nesting areas for a huge variety of birds, from tiny tree creepers to hawks, large owls and woodpeckers, giving us humans a chance to connect with the natural world.

These trees also contribute to the residential appeal and flavor of Port Coquitlam, creating a sense of continuity and calm in a rapidly changing city. The trees contribute to our quality of life, as much as the city's beautiful gardens and street festivals. Planting a few ornamental trees in their place does not replace them, and the current tree bylaw does not effectively protect them from developers.

We, as residents of Port Coquitlam, urge Mayor Greg Moore and Port Coquitlam City Council to safeguard this rich legacy by acting to to protect mature urban trees at every stage of property development. We understand that not every tree can be retained, but many can, if given priority.