Town of Drumheller council received an update on the flood mitigation program’s urban forest report and summary during a special council meeting on Thursday, November 21.
The flood mitigation program had previously committed to a 5:1 replacement ratio for replacing healthy trees which needed to be removed for construction of berms throughout the community, and in February 2024 Green Drop Tree Care. were contracted to implement urban reforestation and develop a management plan for the Town, which included looking at some of the challenges new trees may face in Drumheller.
“Some of the challenges and recommendations we identified in the Town was limited rainfall,” explained Matt Vinet of Green Drop during the special council meeting, though he noted this is not limited to just Drumheller area.
One unique challenge is the type of soil found within the Drumheller Valley. While it is similar to soil found in other parts of the province, Mr. Vinet noted what is found buried underneath the soil is unique. Another challenge he touched upon was damage to newly planted trees by wildlife, such as deer and beavers, due to the Town’s urban location.
Between July and mid-August a public consultation was held in which Green Drop received 94 online responses and three valid paper forms.
“We found during the public consultation that lots of people in Drumheller were interested in trees, where they go, and how many we’re going to put in,” Mr. Vinet shared.
He added, through the public consultation, there were several responses which mentioned trees along the Rails to Trails pathway system, as well at the X-Crossing disc golf area in the green space between Highway 10 and 7 Avenue East. The public consultation also presented some collaborative opportunities with local area schools and community associations.
Due to the low rainfall and soil type found within the Town, Mr. Vinet noted there were some recommendations for the species of trees which will thrive within the community. Most of the trees being recommended are native species to the area, with some exotic plants which have shown success in similar conditions.
Based on the report and public consultation, several areas were identified as priorities for planting. This includes the Rails to Trails network to provide shade to the newly developed pathway system, and the new 500-wing at the Sunshine Lodge.
There are several funding opportunities for this project which the Town can apply for to help alleviate costs for planting and purchase of new trees, and maintenance.

Wheatland County Reeve Amber Link issued a Notice of Motion at the November 12 Regular Council meeting for Proportional Representation on Housing Management Bodies.
Motion 1 reads in part: “That Council support the submission of a letter from the Reeve to the Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Social and Community Services, urgently requesting a Ministerial Order to adjust Wheatland Housing Management Body’s board representation so that it aligns proportionally with each member municipality’s financial responsibility and for voting board member composition to reflect fiscal liability.”
A second motion reads in part: “That Council direct Administration to draft a resolution for Council consideration and subsequent submission to the Spring 2025 RMA Convention through the District process, requesting that the Government of Alberta amend the governance structure by Ministerial Order of housing management boards across the province to ensure municipal representation aligns with financial contributions.
In a backgrounder to the Motion, it points out there is a disparity between financial contributions made by municipalities. These municipalities are mandated by the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services to be members of these housing management bodies.
It points out that with the Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMB), Wheatland County, with the highest equalized assessment, carries over 65 per cent of the financial liability for the operations, while only having 27 per cent of the representation. Strathmore carries 33 per cent of the financial liability but only has 18 percent representation.
“In our current local context, three villages, collectively responsible for just 1.42% of WHMB’s financial liability, could control reserve decision-making, resulting in an unreasonable scenario where the taxpayers of Wheatland County and the Town of Strathmore, responsible for 97.578% of the liability, lack proportionate influence,” the backgrounder states.
“These issues raise significant concerns about taxation without representation, particularly given that housing board members are appointed and not elected. Housing board decisions have direct financial impacts on municipal taxpayers. They can negatively impact investment attraction, profitability for businesses and industries (for example, mature oil and gas assets), and taxpayer affordability.
By providing a Notice of Motion, it provides transparency and allows councillors to take time to gather more information to make an informed decision. The Motion is it be voted upon at the December 3, 2024 council meeting.