Vic Park Collective and the Victoria Park Urban Tree Network helped bring the Urban Forest Strategy to life by working with the Town of Victoria Park to better understand, protect and grow the local tree canopy. The strategy was created to show the value of trees as important urban infrastructure and to guide action towards a healthier, cooler and more liveable town.

Key steps included:

• Recognised that trees play an important role in liveability by providing shade, cooling streets, supporting wildlife, reducing stormwater runoff and improving local comfort.
• Identified the need to better measure and communicate the benefits and costs of trees across the Town.
• Worked with the Town of Victoria Park through a tender process to help write the Urban Forest Strategy.
• Partnered with the Victoria Park Urban Tree Network to bring local knowledge, advocacy and community insight into the process.
• Used an asset-based community approach, supported by volunteers, to shape the strategy.
• Gathered community input through workshops, interviews, audio recordings, photographic records and other consultation methods.
• Focused on both public and private land to better manage and increase the Town’s tree canopy.
• Set a clear canopy target of 20%, responding to a current canopy level of around 10% and ongoing decline.
• Developed a multi-faceted approach involving a range of stakeholders to help protect existing trees and support future planting.