Grimsby Green Advisory Committee

Resolved that the July 19, 2023 Grimsby Green Advisory Committee agenda be approved.

Resolved that Annette Gibbons be added to the Climate Change Resilience Sub-Committee; and 1. That Bruce Mackenzie be replaced with Annette Gibbons on the Public Engagement Sub-Committee.

Resolved that the Grimsby Green Advisory Committee minutes of June 21, 2023 be received.

Resolved that the presentation from the Community Services Department be received.

Whereas the Green Committee has indicated that enhancing and maintaining Grimsby’s Tree Canopy is of paramount importance; and Whereas Oak Wilt disease has been found to date in three locations in Ontario, including Niagara on the Lake and Niagara Falls; and Whereas species in the Red Oak Family has shown the greatest susceptibility to the fungal disease known as Oak Wilt Disease. It can effect all oak species and apples and chestnuts. Oak Wilt could be devastating to Grimsby as Red Oak is a common tree species in the urban and natural forests of Grimsby. Oak Wilt can kill fully mature Red Oak Trees in a matter of months if not weeks; and Whereas the Town of Grimsby and other municipalities and property owners in Ontario have seen the destruction and associated costs caused by the Emerald Ash Borer to ash trees. The property owners had few if any options in preventing or delaying the disease in ash trees. With Oak Wilt, property owners have a first step available to them to prevent Oak Wilt; and Whereas the infection of Oak Wilt primarily involves the fungal spores of Bretziella fagacearum being introduced to oak trees by sap beetles, Nitidulidae family, that are attracted to wounds on the tree where sap is exposed to the air. The sap beetles normally fly between the months of March and November; and Whereas the best known practice to prevent Oak Wilt spread is to not cause wounds to oak trees. This involves not pruning or causing any injury to oak species from March until No

Resolved that Bob Friesen be elected as Chair of the Grimsby Green Advisory Committee.

Resolved that Marilyn McCrae be elected as Vice Chair of the Grimsby Green Advisory Committee.