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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D726D9.3C866B80" 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:&quot;Impact&quot;,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:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CONTACT:
</span></b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Gail Mastrati, 401-255-6144<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Thursday, April 1, 2021&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span><a href="mailto:gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">FREE TREES AVAILABLE, JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING PLANTING</span></b><b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,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:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Registration opens April 5 for popular Energy-Saving Trees Program,
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">which helps Rhode Islanders save energy and money<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
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 - The Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the </span>
<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ritree.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!fB3deKvMrBUleNk8w0IpcXkduWfXblN39HVC5eGkGjevtlluSVPdeVkG3A_eoT1FhuTLOQgt$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">RI Tree Council</span> [ritree.org]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">,
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rinla.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!fB3deKvMrBUleNk8w0IpcXkduWfXblN39HVC5eGkGjevtlluSVPdeVkG3A_eoT1FhqfQ0Xt1$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">RI Nursery and Landscape Association</span> [rinla.org]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">, and the
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.arborday.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!fB3deKvMrBUleNk8w0IpcXkduWfXblN39HVC5eGkGjevtlluSVPdeVkG3A_eoT1Fhs5NpIUg$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Arbor Day Foundation</span> [arborday.org]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">, is providing 1,000 free trees to Rhode Island
 residents this spring.&nbsp; Now in its 12th season, the program helps Rhode Islanders save energy and lower their utility bills by strategically planting trees on their property.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">&quot;We&#8217;re pleased to join with the Arbor Day Foundation and local partners again this spring to offer free trees to Rhode Islanders,&#8221; said DEM Director Janet Coit.&nbsp;&#8220;Planting
 a tree in the right place is a tangible way for residents to stand up to climate change and can improve air quality, sequester carbon, and help manage stormwater runoff. Most trees are spoken for within days of registration opening, so be sure to register
 early!&#8221;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,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. This season, nine different tree species with variety of mature sizes will be distributed.&nbsp; Available species will include Allee elm, American hornbeam, black tupelo, eastern
 hophornbeam, eastern redbud, Exclamation! London planetree, 'Frontier' hybrid elm, Okame cherry, and white oak.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoCaption" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoCaption" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoCaption" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:windowtext">Energy Saving Tree saplings in three-gallon pots. Under the right conditions, mature trees will grow
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoCaption" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:windowtext">upwards of 30-60 feet high, depending on species choice / Photo: DEM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Registration opens on Monday, April 5, and is
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">required to reserve a tree.&nbsp;Recipients must be Rhode Island residents.
<span style="color:black">Supplies go fast, so early registration is recommended.&nbsp;</span> Follow these steps to reserve your free tree:
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</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:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Sign up at
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.arborday.org/RIDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!fB3deKvMrBUleNk8w0IpcXkduWfXblN39HVC5eGkGjevtlluSVPdeVkG3A_eoT1FhlVK4O_k$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">www.arborday.org/RIDEM</span> [arborday.org]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,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:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,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:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Reserve your tree by choosing from a list of pick-up locations (listed below)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">The free trees will be approximately four to six feet tall and come in three-gallon containers. These trees are traveling size and will fit in most cars for you to
 take home and plant yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">For registration assistance please 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:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Trees can be picked up during one of the following pick-up events:
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Saturday, May 1 (9 AM &#8211; 12 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Richmond Elementary School, 190 Kingstown Road, Richmond<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Saturday, May 8 (9 AM &#8211; 12 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Colt State Park, Route 114, Bristol<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Saturday, May 15 (9 AM &#8211; 12 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">RI State Park Headquarters, 1100 Tower Hill Road, North Kingstown<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Saturday, May 22 (9 AM &#8211; 12 PM)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">RI Tree Council Headquarters, 2953 Hartford Avenue, Johnston
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">DEM reminds Rhode Islanders that
<span style="color:black">they must wear face coverings and practice social distancing while at the tree pick-up events.&nbsp;
</span>DEM advises everyone to follow current guidance about COVID-19 from the Rhode Island Department of Health. More information about COVID-19 and Rhode Island&#8217;s response can be found here:
</span><a href="https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/</span></a><a href="https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black;text-decoration:none">
</span></a><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">For questions about the Energy-Saving Trees Program, contact Lou Allard, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator in DEM&#8217;s Division of Forest Environment at 401-222-2445 ext.
 72056 or by email at </span><a href="mailto:Robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">. Funding for the program is provided by
 the </span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.rggi.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!fB3deKvMrBUleNk8w0IpcXkduWfXblN39HVC5eGkGjevtlluSVPdeVkG3A_eoT1FhpDduvFc$"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative</span> [rggi.org]</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">.</span></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">For more information on DEM's programs and divisions, visit</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">
 www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"> or follow us on Facebook at
</span><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!fB3deKvMrBUleNk8w0IpcXkduWfXblN39HVC5eGkGjevtlluSVPdeVkG3A_eoT1FhsKnwHr3$"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM</span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"> or via Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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