WALGA works with the Local Government sector to build capacity to maintain and grow healthy urban forests.

WALGA's 2023 Urban Forest Conference was held at Curtin University on 17 February. It highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches between the State Government, Local Government, the private sector and the broader community to improve outcomes for urban forest management in a changing climate. With the theme of ‘Valuing Canopy’, the conference featured an impressive line-up of urban forest experts from across the country.

Nearly 350 people attended the event to hear about latest research, effective policy and planning interventions, and innovative approaches to incorporating green space into the urban environment. Speakers from a diverse range of disciplines reinforced the enormous value of urban canopy and green space, including their benefits for health and wellbeing, urban heat mitigation, local amenity, community connection and biodiversity. 

To build on the momentum generated by the conference and the hard work being done by Local Governments across the State, WALGA has created an online content hub where key messages, videos, presentations and images from the conference can be accessed. To ensure that the push to retain and expand urban canopy remains in the spotlight, WALGA has also created a new mailing list to share case studies, insights, news and advocacy with those interested in all things urban forest.