As part of its climate protection effort, Prince Edward County is looking to offer eight parcels of surplus land to land conservancy agencies.
The treed lands, which are not suitable for housing or any other municipal needs, could be at risk of deforestation if sold.
The County passed a Tree Management and Preservation Policy in 2020 with a mandate to conserve, maintain and increase its tree canopy.
Committee of the Whole approved the motion Thursday with final approval expected at a council meeting later this month.
Councillor Phil St. Jean was among those praising the plan.
“I can’t think of a better use for some of these, for lack of a better word, useless pieces of property. They’re green properties, let’s keep them that way.”
Councillor John Hirsch also supported it.
“I, I fully support this as well. The more trees we can keep alive, the better.”
Staff are in communication with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited and the Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust to determine their potential interest in the lands and will bring a report to council late this year.
If there is no interest in the lands, they will be removed from the surplus list and will remain in the municipal inventory as treed lots.
Moving forward, staff will ensure that lands identified for potential surplus also be circulated to Environmental and Sustainability staff to provide input specifically on suitability of the surplus lands for the protection of trees.
