APPENDICES - Laserfiche WebLink

should be done outside of these nesting season months if possible. For municipalities that need to prune thousands of trees each year, it is usually not possible to conduct pruning and removal activities only during the non-nesting season months, so measures should be implemented to minimize impacts to birds and other wildlife. Tree care work can be roughly divided into three categories, based on the level of expertise and caution required to mitigate impacts to wildlife: Low Habitat Value High Habitat Value Sensitive Habitat Non-breeding Season Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Breeding Season Category 2 Category 3 Category 3 Summary of Categories for Minimizing Impacts to Wildlife: • Category 1: Low value habitat during the non-breeding season. Nesting wildlife are least likely to be encountered. A pre-work inspection by a tree care worker with awareness training is recommended. • Category 2: o Low value habitat during the breeding season, where nesting wildlife are more likely to be encountered. o High value habitat during the non-breeding season, where valuable habitats are more likely to be encountered. o A pre-work inspection by a Wildlife Trained Arborist is recommended. • Category 3: o High value habitat during the breeding season or sensitive habitat at any time of the year, where nesting wildlife and valuable habitats are more likely to be encountered. o Best practice is to contact a Wildlife Biologist for direction. Companies with a programmatic approach may use a well-trained arborist to minimize impacts. o The Wildlife Biologist will provide recommendations on how the project can proceed, which may include timing or methodological changes. Permits from regulatory agencies may be required for work in sensitive areas. Note: Wildlife can nest year-round in any habitat, so the assessed category may change during fieldwork. Signs of wildlife encountered during fieldwork may require further expertise. Fieldwork: Practices should be implemented based on the project’s category to protect wildlife during tree care activities. Staff with the appropriate training should conduct the pre-work inspection as mentioned above. If active nests are found that may be impacted by the tree work, the Wildlife Biologist should delay the work