BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Sept. 15, 2014) - In keeping with its mission to preserve the quality of its citizens' lives and their safety, the City of Beaconsfield will undertake an extensive operation over several years to protect its urban forest, one of the most distinctive aspects of Beaconsfield and a contributor to the area's economic value and urban prestige.
"Today's open house and this evening's information session will provide citizens with a good understanding of the extent of the threat and of the efforts required to combat the emerald ash borer," explains the Mayor of Beaconsfield, Georges Bourelle.
The emerald ash borer is an insect that arrived from Asia in 2002 and has had devastating effects wherever it has settled, destroying millions of ash trees in the United States and Canada. Ash trees make up 20% of Beaconsfield's urban forest, i.e., between 11,500 and 57,500 trees.
"The emerald ash borer has now reached our gates. Unless we take significant action, our ash trees will be quickly infested and will have to be cut down in less than six years. Given that ours is a mature forest, the consequences would be disastrous for our environment, our quality of life and our property values," says Mr. Bourelle.
Beaconsfield has decided to act. Trees are one of the most distinctive and appealing features of our city. They play an important role vis-à-vis air quality, heat island reduction, storm water retention and soil erosion prevention; in addition, they help to beautify our environment and account for up to 30% of our property values.
"We consider trees and public infrastructures to be of equal importance. Saving our ash trees will incur significant cost but this will be offset by benefits of equal value to the community as a whole. We have devoted significant efforts to getting to know and understand this insect, and to act as effectively as possible in the face of a threat that has the potential to destroy a fifth of our urban forest," explains the Mayor of Beaconsfield.
The action plan will include a two-pronged approach aimed at protecting both publicly and privately owned ash trees. The City will obtain a reduced corporate rate which will be offered to all citizens so that they can have their trees treated every two years rather than incur expenses of up to ten times as great as if they had had them cut down and replaced.
All necessary information regarding the struggle against the emerald ash borer will be available to the public during the day. Citizens will have the opportunity to meet the most renowned experts from Quebec and other parts of Canada, and to learn about the means and steps that have been initiated in Beaconsfield.
All relevant information and documentation will be added to a section of the municipal web site specifically dedicated to the fight against the emerald ash borer.
Contact Information:
514 428-4410