Management of Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest
The City of Surrey Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is committed to sustaining the Forest and its associated environment in as natural a state as possible. To protect the long-term ecological integrity of the Forest, the City manages the Forest for recreational activities, trail upkeep, invasive species and tree health. Their natural area management strategy includes the following responsibilities:
- vegetation management including rare and endangered ecosystems, invasive plants and native plant communities
- access and recreation including management of trails
- hazard tree management
- coarse woody debris retention and installation
- management of local park fauna
- management of fire hazards and concerns
- yard waste and refuse dumping management
“An orphaned Stellar’s Jay, ready for life on its own, pauses for a moment with South Surrey wildlife artist Don Li-Leger while Kody Baker, 10, and Dee Walmsley look on. This jay…was released into the wilderness of Sunny Acres…after spending some times at Monika’s Wildlife Shelter.” – source: Peace Arch News 1988.06.01
These management activities are stipulated in the Sunnyside Acres Access and Recreation Management Plan, which was developed with considerable input from Sunnyside Acres Advisory Committee, representatives from specific user groups, and from the general public. Through this process, the Forest’s many stakeholders were able to discuss access and recreation needs and the priority of the ecological integrity of the Forest. The plan acts as a strategic document that provides explicit direction for operational forest management.
In recent years, management of the Forest has been complicated by the presence of a root rot disease that endangered the mature Douglas-fir trees.
For more information on the City of Surrey’s management of the Sunnyside Urban Forest, please call (604) 501-5050.