Enhancing Our Tree Canopy
The Town of Lincoln is undertaking an Urban Forest Management Review as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the health and expand the coverage of our urban forest. This initiative will involve implementing the best policies and practices, ensuring the entire community benefits from the many economic, environmental, and health-related advantages of a vibrant tree canopy. As part of this initiative, the Town has formed a dedicated working group to guide the project, consisting of Lincoln citizens, Council members, and staff. This group will play a crucial role in developing a tree procedures and standards manual, integrating urban forest management with climate strategies, and educating the community about the impacts of climate change on our urban forests.
To learn more about the Town of Lincoln's Urban Forest Management Review and Working Group, visit Speak Up Lincoln.
Through this collaborative effort, the Town of Lincoln is also launching a series of activities this fall, including community tree plantings, a tree hunt, and a giveaway. These events provide various opportunities for residents to get involved in preserving and growing Lincoln’s tree canopy. Explore the activities outlined below and find out how you can get involved in nurturing our local environment!
Fall 2024 Activities
The Town of Lincoln's 2024 Tree Giveaway & Rain Barrel Sale will be held at the Jordan Lions Arena Parking Lot on Friday, October 4, 2024. Those interested in a tree must register in advance to reserve a free tree or order a rain barrel - pick up is available on October 4 only.
The tree giveaway is open to Lincoln residents only. Identification with proof of residency such as a driver’s license or recent utility bill will be required upon pickup. Orders with billing addresses that are not located in the Town of Lincoln will be cancelled. Please note there is a limit of one tree and two rain barrels per household. The number of trees are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close as stock is reserved. Households trying to obtain more than these quantities may have all of their requests voided.
- Date: October 4, 2024
- Location: 2767 Fourth Ave., Jordan
Rain Barrel
- $53.10 + tax
- Limit 2 per household
- Rain Barrel Pick Up: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Tree
- Free
- Limit 1 per household
- Tree Pick Up: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
*Please note there are specific pickup slots within the above timeframes that will be provided when you place your tree order. Please do NOT arrive outside your scheduled window as your tree will not be available for pickup. If you are picking up a tree AND a rain barrel, please arrive during the tree timeslot. If you are picking up a rain barrel ONLY, please arrive between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Help us combat climate change by participating in our goal of planting 1,000 trees this fall. Every tree makes a difference, and with your support, we can achieve this milestone together. Let’s make our community greener and healthier—one tree at a time!
Participants can enter a draw to win one of three $100 gift cards to a local Lincoln business by completing the following steps:
- Plant a tree in Lincoln in 2024
- Add a pin to the map
Click here to add your pin and participate!
(The draw will be held in early 2025)
Show your favourite tree some love!
From now until the end of September, Ontariogreen Conservation Association will be sponsoring the Town of Lincoln’s first ever Heritage Tree Hunt, a contest where citizens can submit photos of their favourite trees in one of five categories and be entered for a chance to win $100.
The goal is to find our community’s oldest and most beloved trees, and shine a little light on them and all the wonderful work our urban forest does for us. From generating oxygen to keeping us cool in the summer; from cleaning our air to preventing flooding; from providing food (for us and animals!) to reminding us of our history and making places memorable, trees contribute so much to our community.
Nominations must be submitted by September 30, 2024.
To find out more about the Tree Hunt and to participate, visit Ontariogreen's website.
As part of the Town of Lincoln's Urban Forest Management Review Working Group's efforts, the Town in partnership with Ontariogreen Conservation Association, will be undertaking a Miyawaki Mini Forests Pilot Project. The Town has received a $17,000 grant from the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF), and a $10,000 grant from the Greenbelt Foundation through the Living Cities Canada Fund, a program of Green Communities Canada to fund this initiative. This generous funding will enable the Town to implement a Miyawaki Mini Forest in our community, helping to naturalize urban spaces, mitigate and address climate change, and enrich biodiversity.
The Miyawaki Mini Forests Pilot Project aligns with the Town’s mission of delivering services with an environmental, social, and economically resilient focus. Following directions from Town Council, the Working Group, inclusive of environmentally focused citizens' groups and staff with specialized expertise, reviewed tree-related practices and policies aligning with Council Priorities. These priorities emphasize enhancing air quality and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through the growth and maintenance of the urban tree canopy.
Project Update
Join the Town of Lincoln and Ontariogreen Conservation Association at our Mini Forest Community Planting event. This event will involve the planting of over 700 native trees and shrubs with support from community volunteers.
- Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
- Time: 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Location: Rotary Park | 5020 Serena Drive, Beamsville
This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to create a healthier urban environment by planting trees and fostering sustainability within our community. Our mini forest will provide many benefits, such as reducing the urban heat island effect, enhancing local biodiversity, improving stormwater management, mitigating flood risks, improving air quality, and elevating the physical and mental well-being of the Town of Lincoln’s residents and visitors.
Note: High school students participating in this Mini Forest Community Planting will be eligible to receive volunteer hour credits towards their community service requirements.
The planting site has been strategically selected to prioritize the Town’s environmental priorities:
- Provides enhanced urban canopy cover in the Beamsville area, which has a lower percentage of tree cover (15.7%) compared to the Town’s overall tree coverage (21.9%)
- Native plantings within the Rotary Park natural corridor will provide benefits along the creek system such as enhanced biodiversity and wildlife habitat
- Location adjacent to the Val Fleming Butterfly Garden is well-suited to incorporate educational signage, raise community awareness of the value of the tree canopy, and facilitate public involvement in the Mini Forest project
- Ideally situated with access to sunlight, watering and maintenance to ensure long-term survivability of the Mini Forest
This project is a collaboration between the Town of Lincoln and Ontariogreen, and was made possible by support from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), funding from the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF), Trees for Life, and the Greenbelt Foundation through the Living Cities Canada Find, a program of Green Communities Canada.
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Become a Tree Champion!
Join the Town of Lincoln in our mission to plant 1,000 trees in 2024 to help combat climate change. Every tree counts! By planting a tree on your business’s property, you’re not only supporting a greener community but also contributing to this important environmental goal.
Here’s how to get involved:
- Purchase a tree through the Town’s Tree Sale: For a limited time, Lincoln businesses can purchase trees for just $8.50 + HST. Trees must be pre-ordered, and quantities are limited—so don’t miss out!
- Tree pick-up: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 8:30 am-12:30 pm at the Town of Lincoln Municipal Administration Offices (4800 South Service Road, Beamsville, ON).
* Tree species are grouped, and while preferences can be indicated, specific species cannot be guaranteed. - Plant your tree on your business property: You’re welcome to plant a tree sourced through our Tree Sale or purchase and plant your own.
- Track your tree: Add a pin to our interactive map so we can collectively track the progress toward our goal.
To purchase your tree(s), please contact Samantha Witkowski, Environmental Coordinator by emailing switkowski@lincoln.ca or call 289-407-8610.
Recognition:
Businesses that participate will be celebrated as "Tree Champions" on the Town of Lincoln website and will receive a Tree Champion decal to proudly display at their business.
Let’s plant together and make a greener future—one tree at a time!
*Please note there are specific pickup slots within the above timeframes that will be provided when you place your tree order. Please do NOT arrive outside your scheduled window as your tree will not be available for pickup.
Benefits of Trees & Rain Barrels
The Town’s tree canopy is made up of both public and private trees and is a valuable infrastructure asset. Healthy urban forests and enhanced tree canopies provide numerous environmental, economic and social benefits to our community. Trees are as necessary as water, roads, and energy to sustaining a healthy community. Trees play an integral role in helping communities mitigate and adapt to climate change. A few of the numerous benefits of trees are outlined below:
Climate Change Mitigation
- Reduce temperatures and mitigating the heat-island effect through evapotranspiration
- Sequester the emission of greenhouse gasses by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
- Remove air pollutants by trapping particulate matter in their leaves, needles and bark
Climate Change Adaptation
- Trees help communities adapt to climate change impacts such as increased precipitation and extreme weather events:
- Reduce the amount of runoff and pollution that enters stormwater and sewer systems
- Reduce soil erosion
- Increase soil absorption capacity
Environmental Benefits
- Improves local air quality through the active removal of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air
- Mitigates air, dust, noise, heat, and chemical pollution
- Helps reduce local flooding through water filtration and reducing stormwater runoff
- Reduces urban heat island effect
- Provides important habitat for wildlife and helps preserve biodiversity
Economic Benefits
- Attractive environment for businesses and visitors
- Increased real estate values
- Enhanced tourism values
- Lower utility costs and increased energy savings as a result of climate amelioration, such as providing shade in the summer and blocking wind in the winter
Social and Health Benefits
- Contributes to desirable environments to live, work and spend leisure time
- Improves mental health and overall well-being by conveying sense of calm, relieving stress, and facilitating relaxation and outdoor activity
- Creates a buffer between moving vehicles and pedestrians
- Trees are valuable public infrastructure, and not simply ornamentation. Whether publicly or privately owned, trees provide environmental, economic, social and health benefits shared by all of Lincoln. It is important to increase and maintain a healthy tree canopy with age and species diversity that keeps pace with the Town’s growth.
Using rain barrels to collect and store rainwater offers significant benefits, both to your wallet and to the environment. See below to learn how you can use a rain
barrel for your household water needs:Watering
- Water your lawn, plants and garden.
- Fill a watering can to water
indoor plants.
Garden Irrigation
- Connect a soaker hose and place it in your garden.
- Add pressure using a pond pump and attach a garden hose.
Cleaning
- Wash your car, clean outdoor furniture and wash your garden tools and containers.
Downspout Disconnection
Downspout disconnection is a process used to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters sanitary or combined sewers. Less stormwater in the system prevents wastewater from backing up through sewer pipes where it can escape through floor drains or other low-lying plumbing fixtures in your basement.
Rain barrels can be installed on a disconnected downspout. By redirecting rainwater from your downspout into a rain barrel, you can capture and store rainwater for later use.
Some of the benefits of downspout disconnection include:
- It reduces the amount of stormwater sent through the sewer system, which can lead to overflow into rivers, streams and lakes as well as cause sewer backups and basement flooding in your home.
- It replenishes and protects the groundwater table and reduces and delays stormwater runoff, preventing flash flooding in rivers and streams.
- It places fewer burdens on the sewer system, leading to lower energy costs and increased effectiveness of wastewater treatment facilities.
Rain barrels contribute to sustainability by lowering water demand, conserving a vital natural resource, and reducing the strain on stormwater systems.
Planting & Maintenance Tips for Trees
1. Where to Plant
Before you decide where to plant, contact Ontario One Call (a free service) to mark any underground utilities. Consider the eventual size of your tree and its specific sun, soil, and moisture needs.
2. Digging
- Don't dig too deep. Ensure the base of the tree trunk is 6-12 mm above the ground.
- The area you dig should be 2-3 times the width of the tree's root ball, allowing roots to spread through loose soil.
- Remember: Contact Ontario One Call to mark any underground utilities before digging.
3. Staking
- Most trees do not need to be staked unless exposed to high winds or if the soil is shallow.
1. Watering
- Water a young tree twice a week (30 to 50 liters) during the first growing seasons.
- Water at the base, ensuring to wet the entire root ball.
2. Mulching
- Apply mulch at the base of the tree twice a year (spring and fall).
- Mulch should be applied in a doughnut shape, not a volcano.
- For well-drained sites, use 8 to 10 cm of mulch.
3. Pruning
- Only remove branches if they are dead, dying, or diseased.
- If unsure about pruning or need assistance, contact an Arborist.
- Visit www.brampton.ca/trees to learn about when a permit is required to injure or remove a tree.
Things to Avoid
- Avoid hitting the tree with a lawnmower or trimmer.
- Avoid using salt, high nitrogen fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides around trees, especially new ones.
