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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D68C08.09C5BFF0" alt="DEM-logo-small"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Impact",sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Gail Mastrati, 401-255-6144<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Wednesday, September 16, 2020<b>
</b></span><a href="mailto:gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">FREE TREES AVAILABLE, JUST IN TIME FOR FALL PLANTING
</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Registration opens September 22 for popular Energy-Saving Trees Program, which helps Rhode Islanders save energy and money
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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Description automatically generated" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE
- The Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the </span>
<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ritree.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!aESfBHHiRKl-fKOQ2qUKTHG4zTq6obfZD-pu4z7otYoD5Lubf4qSX1kxb4w56DSHM0N9rPFJ$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">RI Tree Council</span> [ritree.org]</a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rinla.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!aESfBHHiRKl-fKOQ2qUKTHG4zTq6obfZD-pu4z7otYoD5Lubf4qSX1kxb4w56DSHMyFcuq0d$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">RI Nursery and Landscape Association</span> [rinla.org]</a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, and the
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.arborday.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!aESfBHHiRKl-fKOQ2qUKTHG4zTq6obfZD-pu4z7otYoD5Lubf4qSX1kxb4w56DSHM0oeICzu$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Arbor Day Foundation</span> [arborday.org]</a><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, is providing 1,200 free trees to Rhode Island homeowners this fall. Now in
its eleventh season, the program helps Rhode Islanders save energy and lower their utility bills by strategically planting trees on their property. The trees will be mailed directly to homeowners, so in-person pickup is not required.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">"We’re especially pleased to offer free trees to Rhode Islanders now, when many of us are spending more time in our backyards because of the public health emergency,” said
DEM Director Janet Coit. “Planting a tree in the right place can improve air quality, sequester carbon, and help manage stormwater runoff. It’s a terrific way for residents to reduce their energy costs today and in the years to come, and a tangible way to
stand up to climate change.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Planting the right tree in the right place is the key to maximizing the energy-saving benefits that trees provide. When planted properly, a single tree can save a
homeowner money on energy costs by shading their home in the summer and blocking cold winds in the winter. Additional benefits of planting a tree include improving air quality, reducing storm-water runoff, and beautifying your surroundings.
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">This season, seven different tree species with variety of mature sizes will be distributed. Available species will include witch hazel, serviceberry, persimmon, sweetgum, willow oak, tulip tree, and
bald cypress. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Registration opens September 22nd</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> - In three easy steps you can reserve your tree!
The process takes less than 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Simply sign up at
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.arborday.org/RIDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!aESfBHHiRKl-fKOQ2qUKTHG4zTq6obfZD-pu4z7otYoD5Lubf4qSX1kxb4w56DSHMwsfWhs8$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.arborday.org/RIDEM</span> [arborday.org]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, and map out your house by using the
interactive mapping tool<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Select the right tree by choosing from a list of approved trees<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The 1-gallon tree will then be mailed directly to your home<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">All homeowners must meet program requirements and pre-register online to reserve their free tree. Tree shipments will begin in October.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Funding for the program is provided by the
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.rggi.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!aESfBHHiRKl-fKOQ2qUKTHG4zTq6obfZD-pu4z7otYoD5Lubf4qSX1kxb4w56DSHM6bwQXMU$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative</span> [rggi.org]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For registration assistance, contact the Arbor Day Foundation at 1-855-234-3801.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For questions about the Energy-Saving Trees Program, contact Lou Allard, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator in DEM’s Division of Forest Environment at
401-222-2445 ext. 2056 or by email at </span><a href="mailto:Robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM's programs and divisions, visit</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> or follow us on Facebook at
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!aESfBHHiRKl-fKOQ2qUKTHG4zTq6obfZD-pu4z7otYoD5Lubf4qSX1kxb4w56DSHM47crfFy$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM</span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> or via Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b>###<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
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