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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 Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 Evan. LaCross@ dem. ri. gov
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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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><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><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">‘TIS THE SEASON TO RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE;
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM COLLECTING ‘TREES FOR TROUT’ TO IMPROVE
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">WILD TROUT, AQUATIC HABITATS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="403" height="403" style="width:4.1979in;height:4.1979in" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DA3D5A.153AFFB0" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">PROVIDENCE,
RI –<span style="color:black"> </span>The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is again partnering with the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rhodeisland.tu.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IHQ9PMiIv5TlGy-bG65_EJCC1eTNiZDho6kgD75VCCk9G7pt0zJF0yH5oLT9privHc2ilJ0-DXDAW6dK3dKIq_ADueiNHt4pXMGH$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Rhode Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU)</span> [rhodeisland.tu.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
on a habitat restoration program called ‘Trees for Trout’, which collects donated conifer Christmas trees for future projects that improve habitat for wild brook trout and other aquatic organisms. The public is invited to drop off their Christmas tree at a
collection event after the New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">What:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> ‘Trees for Trout’
Christmas tree collection<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">When:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> Saturday, Jan. 6,
9 AM-2 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Where:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.google.com/maps/place/Arcadia*Check*Station*(RIDEM)/@41.5730173,-71.7219485,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xa1ff9152f6351182!8m2!3d41.5730173!4d-71.7219485__;Kysr!!KKphUJtCzQ!IHQ9PMiIv5TlGy-bG65_EJCC1eTNiZDho6kgD75VCCk9G7pt0zJF0yH5oLT9privHc2ilJ0-DXDAW6dK3dKIq_ADueiNHu6Q2sO7$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Arcadia
Check Station</span> [google.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">, Wood River Arcadia Management Area, 2224 Ten Rod Rd, Exeter<u><span style="color:#0066FF"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM is only accepting real trees, not fake ones or trees sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals. All decorations and lights, as well as the stand, must be removed before
the tree is brought in. Only whole conifers will be accepted, please do not bring tree trimmings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The 'Trees for Trout' collection event was started by TU in 2018 to assist in restoration projects to fish habitats in the flowing freshwaters of Rhode Island. The trees
are stored outside until the following summer, when they are used by DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) staff, along with volunteers from TU, to build “conifer revetments” where trees are strategically placed along riverbanks to provide stability and
control erosion. The trees will trap sediment, decompose, and gradually become part of the banks themselves. The tree branches along the edges of the water will also offer protection for small native brook trout and other aquatic animals seeking a place to
hide from predators.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Rivers are dynamic and constantly changing. In impaired stretches of rivers, channels often become wider than they should be and are absent of necessary habitat to support
aquatic life. When banks erode, sediment is carried away by flows that fill in pools downstream. Conifer revetments act to stabilize eroding banks by slowing the flow of water and accumulating sediments. They also help narrow the river channel and confine
the flow so that there is deeper water during low flows and more habitat for fish.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">The 'Trees for Trout' program provides an excellent opportunity for the public to learn about river health, water quality, and habitat for aquatic species. The public
should never dispose of Christmas trees in waterways or beaches. A considerable amount of planning goes into deciding where and how to construct these features. Also, permitting is legally required to modify any waterway under the Freshwater Wetlands Act.
For information on how to properly dispose of real Christmas trees, please visit</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation’s webpage
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://atoz.rirrc.org/items/real-christmas-trees__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IHQ9PMiIv5TlGy-bG65_EJCC1eTNiZDho6kgD75VCCk9G7pt0zJF0yH5oLT9privHc2ilJ0-DXDAW6dK3dKIq_ADueiNHgIakzwt$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:blue">here</span> [atoz.rirrc.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow DFW’s Outdoor Education page on </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RIFishwildlife/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IHQ9PMiIv5TlGy-bG65_EJCC1eTNiZDho6kgD75VCCk9G7pt0zJF0yH5oLT9privHc2ilJ0-DXDAW6dK3dKIq_ADueiNHn9LOwuo$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</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">to keep informed with project updates.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jay.Wegimont/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/BIULXSHA/www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
or follow us on </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IHQ9PMiIv5TlGy-bG65_EJCC1eTNiZDho6kgD75VCCk9G7pt0zJF0yH5oLT9privHc2ilJ0-DXDAW6dK3dKIq_ADueiNHiG9j0Bl$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
and Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem and @RI.FishandWildlife) for timely updates.
<o:p></o:p></span></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>
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