Before we can shape the future of Calgary's tree canopy, we need a shared understanding of the problem. In this phase we're publishing the research, maps, and background context that will inform the rest of the process — including the canopy equity map, the city's 930,000 tree commitment, and the current state of private tree protection policy. Read, explore, and get informed.

Now it's your turn. What should Calgary prioritize when it comes to trees? Should the city focus on soil rehabilitation in underserved neighbourhoods? Introduce fines for removing mature trees on private property? Expand the free tree program? Submit a proposal and let other residents endorse and build on your ideas. The most supported proposals will move forward into the decision phase.

Some decisions require open conversation before we can move forward. In this phase we're hosting structured debates around the most contested questions — incentives versus bylaws for private trees, how to fairly distribute the federal planting dollars across wards, and what enforcement should actually look like. Join the conversation and make your case.

Calgary has real dollars to spend on its urban forest — and citizens should have a say in how they're allocated. In this phase you'll participate in a budgeting exercise distributing funding across soil rehabilitation, public planting in low-canopy areas, private tree incentives, and bylaw enforcement. Your choices will be aggregated into a community budget recommendation.

This phase closes the loop. Here we publish a full synthesis of everything that emerged from this process — the top proposals, the debate outcomes, the community budget priorities — and explain clearly how each one is being taken forward to Calgary City Council and the Urban Forestry team. Every proposal will be marked as accepted, in progress, or not adopted, with a reason given for each.