What Did We Engage On?
Following the development of the Green Infrastructure Strategy, City Administration developed the Pathways for an Integrated Network (Green Pathways), a the 10-year implementation plan for the Green Infrastructure Strategy. Green Pathways advances the network of green infrastructure across the City comprehensively, through a series of interconnected initiatives that work to restore the urban environment and ecosystems, support climate action and nature-based solutions, and improve quality of life for residents and visitors. Green Pathways was approved by City Council in June 2022.
What We Heard
To learn about what we heard during the development of the Pathways for an Integrated Network (Green Pathways), please see the Final Engagement Report.
Past Engagement
Help Grow Our Green Network Community Survey - June/July 2021
- Feedback received will help inform how the Green Infrastructure is implemented, including which proposed programs the City should focus on and how to improve green infrastructure in Saskatoon.
Our Green Network Workshop Event – November 21, 2019
- Your help previously informed and established the vision, actions, initiatives and mapping for Saskatoon’s green network. Attendees to the workshop event explored and discussed the engagement outcomes of Phase 2, as we move into the final phase of the Strategy.
Emerging Priorities Survey – August 6, 2019
- In August, the City invited the community to provide input on 15 identified Emerging Priorities to determine which ones residents prefer to see included in Desired State Vision for Saskatoon’s Green Network.
Indigenous Technical Advisory Group Meeting – July 2019
- The City is committed to building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and engaging in meaningful dialogue on decisions that may impact them. In support of this commitment, First Nations and Métis people with specialized knowledge were engaged with regarding the Green Strategy.
Green Strategy Pop-Up Events – June 2019
- The City set up three pop-up events in June to seek public feedback on the identified 15 emerging priorities for Saskatoon’s Green Network.
- Locations:
Station 20 West Main Entrance
Shaw Centre Lobby
Lakewood Civic Centre Lobby
- Locations:
Growing a NatureCity – May 23, 2019
- The City invited the public to join them at Kiwanis Memorial Park to have their say in how to weave natural beauty into the community.
- Residents were able to provide feedback on the proposed Vision and Emerging Priorities for the Green Strategy.
- Information was given on Saskatoon’s Urban Forest Management Plan project.
Action Identification Survey – April 15, 2019
- In April 2019, the City invited the community to participate in an online surveys to help identify and prioritize options or "actions" to address known vulnerabilities in the Green Network. These vulnerabilities were discussed in the Baseline Inventory Report as “Key Findings”. Actions could include include:
- New City lead initiatives;
- Policy updates; and
- Application of resources to outside agencies.
Shaping a Natural Community – February 6, 2019
- Students from the University of Saskatchewan will gather for a Green Strategy Workshop focused on sharing ideas and feedback to identify/select preferred actions in addressing vulnerabilities in Saskatoon’s green network. Registration for this workshop is closed.
- Results will be used to inform identification of options to address Green Strategy key findings.
Pop Up Events (February 2018 – November 2018)
Several Pop Up Events occurred in 2018 to seek feedback to inform decisions related to Green Strategy and Natural Area Standards. Pop Up Event details are provided in the December 2018 Update Report Attachment 7. Pop Up Event results will be shared in the “What We Heard in 2018” report which is currently under development.
Workshops
Green Infrastructure Strategy Information Gathering Workshop – December 13, 2017
- Feedback from this workshop was used to inform the Green Infrastructure Strategy Baseline Inventory Report.
Green Strategy Workshop 2: Natural Area Standards and Urban Forest Management Plan – October 29, 2018
- Workshop details are provided in the December 2018 Update Report – Attachment 7 and results will be shared in the “What We Heard in 2018” report which is currently under development.
Photosharing
- Upload your photos and show us what you love about Saskatoon's natural areas this winter.
- Results will be used to inform applicable decisions for the Natural Area Standards, Urban Forest Management Plan and Green Strategy.
What Are the Next Steps?
Out of the short-term initiatives identified in Green Pathways City Administration is now proceeding with the development of the Food Forest Pilots, Natural Areas Management Plans, and Updates to Our Natural Areas Policies and Processes. To learn more about these initiatives please expand the sections below.
In order to begin planning, securing resources, and delivering on these initiatives a series of council reports will be presented to the City of Saskatoon Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services on Monday, December 5, 2022 and City Council on Monday, December 19, 2022. To access the agenda, watch the livestream, or provide your comments to Council and committee please visit this link.
Natural Areas Management Plans, Policies and Processes
What We Are Engaging On
The City of Saskatoon is working towards protecting, managing, and restoring natural areas in Saskatoon. We will be engaging with stakeholders, rightsholders, and the community (when applicable) in the development of natural area management plan pilots and updates to our policies and processes.
What We Are Proposing
City Administration has developed the Natural Areas Management Pilot Report that proposes the development of pilot management plans for the Small Swale and Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. For more information about these initiatives please visit the project Engage Page.
Food Forest Pilot
What We Are Engaging On
During engagement on Green Pathways, sustainable food projects were strongly supported by the community (93%) due to providing food and access to food security programs to renters, low-income households and residents facing systemic barriers. Food forests contribute to sustainable local food systems, improve public health outcomes, protect valuable habitat and reduce the carbon footprint of the food we eat.
In 2023 the City will be engaging the community on the Food Forest Pilot. The Food Forest Pilot will lead to the establishment of fruit trees, shrubs, and plants that produce food that can be consumed safely by the community. Our goals for the pilot are to:
- Enhance food security by creating one or more publicly accessible locations in the city
- Formalize the City’s approach to food forests
- Inform the future Sustainable Food Action Plan that will identify the City’s role in supporting Saskatoon’s local food system, including growing, processing, distributing, and disposing of food in the city.
What We Are Proposing
City Administration has developed the Reallocation for Green Network Food Program - Sustainable Food Forest Pilot council report to seek approval for reallocating existing City funding to proceed with the Food Forest Pilot. If approved, the pilot will take place in 2023 and involve the following:
- Selecting suitable sites for food forest establishment (i.e., parks, rights-of-way, or other publicly accessible green space)
- Prioritizing neighbourhoods facing food insecurity
- Engaging the stakeholders, rightsholders, and surrounding communities in the site design process and community-supported maintenance/stewardship of the pilot sites
How Can You Get Involved?
Please visit this page for future public engagement opportunities or use the following methods to reach out to the project team:
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