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Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401. 222. 4700 | www. dem. ri. gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 Evan. LaCross@ dem. ri. gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="Picture_x0020_782" src="cid:image001.png@01DA3192.557ECAD0" alt="DEM-logo-small"></span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><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><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><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-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100
</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Monday, Dec. 18, 2023</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Evan.LaCross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Evan.LaCross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><a name="_Hlk149906746"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk149906746"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">RHODE ISLANDERS INVITED TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH #FIRSTDAYHIKE AT GEORGE WASHINGTON
STATE CAMPGROUND<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk149906746"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="382" height="255" style="width:3.9791in;height:2.6562in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DA3194.3C96FD60" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">PROVIDENCE,
RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) invites Rhode Islanders to kick off 2024 and celebrate the New Year by joining a #FirstDayHike at
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://riparks.ri.gov/campgrounds/camping-area-descriptions-specific-requirements#gw"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">George
Washington State Campground</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"> in Chepachet on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KemyIMvH2CZW6KORVAN_Y_JBq7dZkYotNEcdm0r7Nbkaj8GhrWQLmAGkcdrxkTU-IqfQvmToy_P79z-ljE-zwLTVexnQ_kzZjLYw$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">
America’s State Parks</span> [stateparks.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"> to encourage people to get outdoors. Nearly 1,000 visitors attended DEM’s
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/rhode-islanders-invited-kick-new-year-firstdayhike-fort-wetherill-state-park"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">2023
First Day Hike at Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">, an attendance record. 2024’s hike, the eighth such event DEM has hosted, is set for 10 AM
to 1 PM.<br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">George Washington State Campground in Chepachet.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><br>
<span style="background:lime;mso-highlight:lime"><br>
</span>"DEM is excited to once again ring in the New Year outdoors at one of Rhode Island’s beautiful properties and is a great opportunity to see scenic George Washington State Campground, especially for those who have never visited before,” said DEM Director
Terry Gray. “First Day Hikes are part of </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-07/DEM-stratplan23-F_1.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">DEM's
Strategic Plan</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"> to promote our state's natural resources by encouraging people to visit RI’s natural areas and state parks as part of an active and healthy
lifestyle. This popular annual event also serves as an occasion to communicate DEM's mission, programs, and goals to engage with the public we serve.”</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif;color:#050505;background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">DEM will be offering commemorative pins to participants. Divisions of
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">DEM’s Natural Resources Bureau</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">
will be on hand offering information about agency programs and services. Leashed dogs are allowed if the leash is no longer than six feet. Local Girl Scout Troops will be selling refreshments and hot chocolate. Children must be always accompanied by an adult.
The 1.5-mile walk is on uneven ground. The walk will be held rain or shine, so DEM encourages participants to dress accordingly. Although
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/orange"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">fluorescent orange clothing</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">
is not required for the guided hike since it is within the state campground, </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-reminds-public-wear-500-square-inches-solid-fluorescent-orange-during-shotgun-0"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">with
hunting season in full swing</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">, DEM recommends that attendees wear
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://riparks.ri.gov/activities-programs/outdoor-safety-tips/trail-etiquette"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">200 square
inches</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"> (hat or vest) in case they plan on extending their hike into the surrounding management area.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;letter-spacing:.1pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">Located within the 4,000-acre George Washington Management Area and on the shores of Bowdish
Reservoir, the overnight 100-acre George Washington Memorial Camping Area was first owned by the U.S. Government in the 1930’s and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The State acquired the property in 1968 and it is now a seasonal, overnight camping
facility with nearly 80 well-spaced gravel sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RV’s and four primitive cabins offering a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">First Day Hikes began more than three decades ago, at the Blue Hills Reservation state
park in Massachusetts in 1992. Since 2012, all 50 states have participated. America’s State Parks hopes to make 2024 a record-breaking year as the annual event approaches major milestones, including inching closer to 1 million miles hiked and 500,000 participants
in the program’s history. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">For more information on the First Day Hike, please visit the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://riparks.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">RI State Parks website</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">.
For information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.riparks.ri.gov/hikes"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">www.riparks.ri.gov/hikes</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">.
Follow RI State Parks on Facebook at </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.facebook.com/ristateparks__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KemyIMvH2CZW6KORVAN_Y_JBq7dZkYotNEcdm0r7Nbkaj8GhrWQLmAGkcdrxkTU-IqfQvmToy_P79z-ljE-zwLTVexnQ_kxWS9qU$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">www.facebook.com/ristateparks</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">
or Instagram (@ristateparks).</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
<br>
<br>
<span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF;letter-spacing:.1pt">dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1pt">.
Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#004678;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">401-799-0100 (c)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">(E);
</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
(W)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Follow DEM on
</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KemyIMvH2CZW6KORVAN_Y_JBq7dZkYotNEcdm0r7Nbkaj8GhrWQLmAGkcdrxkTU-IqfQvmToy_P79z-ljE-zwLTVexnQ_hOwt7_M$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
</span><span style="color:#00B0F0">on</span> </i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KemyIMvH2CZW6KORVAN_Y_JBq7dZkYotNEcdm0r7Nbkaj8GhrWQLmAGkcdrxkTU-IqfQvmToy_P79z-ljE-zwLTVexnQ_uuuDngc$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060">Instagram</span></i> [instagram.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#002060;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
<span style="color:#00B0F0">and</span> <i><span style="color:#0096D2">on </span></i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KemyIMvH2CZW6KORVAN_Y_JBq7dZkYotNEcdm0r7Nbkaj8GhrWQLmAGkcdrxkTU-IqfQvmToy_P79z-ljE-zwLTVexnQ_k3C9Gp2$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Twitter</span></i> [twitter.com]</a></span><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#0096D2;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">.</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%"><img border="0" width="152" height="76" style="width:1.5833in;height:.7916in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DA3192.557ECAD0" alt="Logo
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