Tree and Wildlife Protection

The Township of Langley is home to beautiful scenery, natural landscapes, and wildlife habitat.

Municipal requirements relating to the protection of trees in the Township are contained in the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw. The bylaw applies to all significant trees located on non-Agricultural Land Reserve land where a development application has been submitted. It also provides for the retention, protection, and replacement of trees as part of development approval processes. 

The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act , federal Species at Risk Act , and the provincial Wildlife Act  protect certain bird species, all active bird nests, and unoccupied nests of select bird species (i.e. eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron or burrowing owl).  Tree-cutting should be avoided during the bird nesting season, and property owners should seek the advice of a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) regarding bird nest season timing.

If tree cutting is proposed during the bird nesting season, landowners should retain a QEP to complete an assessment to confirm that tree cutting can proceed in compliance with provincial and federal legislation.

Site clearing is generally not permitted between March and August, according to the Provincial Wildlife Act and International Migratory Bird Convention Act. Clearing during this period requires specific approval from the Ministry of Environment, or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The Township does not administer this process. The provincial Wildlife Act is enforced by the Ministry of Environment's Conservation Officer Service.

Anyone who witnesses a violation is asked to call the Ministry of Environment's 'Report All Poachers and Polluters' toll-free hotline at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP). Violation reports can also be made on the Ministry's website .

Brookswood/Fernridge clear-cutting prohibited

On November 6, Council unanimously approved and adopted Tree Protection Bylaw 2017 NO.5301 . This bylaw is unprecedented in the Township and unique to Brookswood-Fernridge. This bylaw covers not only all aspects of tree removal, but also treatment of a tree, root pruning, protection barriers, replacement, and other important points, including enforcement, conviction, and fines.