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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, March 25, 2024 Dem. communications@ 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 Monday, March 25, 2024<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:Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></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">TOWN OF EAST GREENWICH, DEM PARTNER TO PRESERVE THE NEARLY 40 ACRE PINE-LISTER FARM AT THE HEADWATERS OF THE HUNT RIVER FOR
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND OUTDOOR RECREATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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RI –<span style="color:black"> The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the
</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.eastgreenwichri.com/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!O8FVNWeQLbpf01kbPvDGlXTV-LrPX_v4UWaFLOXlMe9qr8wZIMFxXY-GVYL24j4WiuMv9xV2TMukdtrKgFhT7WQMs51FOJfflK8r$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Town of East Greenwich</span> [eastgreenwichri.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
are pleased to announce the permanent conservation of 39.86-acres known as the <a name="_Hlk162001899">
Pine-Lister Farm</a> property on Tillinghast Road in the Frenchtown neighborhood of East Greenwich, east of Cook’s Corner. The property, which contains more than 1,500 feet of frontage on the Hunt River, is located within a significant block of contiguous forest
land and anchors the southern end of a </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://preservation.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur406/files/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/east_greenwich/eagr_tillinghast-road_hd.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">National
Register Historic District</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. Set aside as perpetual conservation land, the property is now protected for traditional forest uses, passive public recreation,
water quality and wildlife habitat. The purchase price for the property was $1,900,000. A $400,000 grant committed in 2022 through DEM’s competitive
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/planning-development/grant-opportunities"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Local Open Space Grant
Program</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;color:black">was integral in financing the project, with funding for the program leveraged through the Rhode Island voter-approved
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/green-bond-2022-green-bond"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">2022</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
and </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/green-bond-2018-green-economy-clean-water-bond"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">2018</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
Green Bonds. <br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Explore the headwaters of the Hunt River just beyond the barway at East Greenwich’s newest Management Area. Photo Credit: Al Ranaldi, Town of East Greenwich.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">“This project is an excellent example of the important land conservation work being done at the local level throughout Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Terry
Gray. “DEM is pleased to support projects like these, which increase Rhode Islanders’ access to the outdoors, protect water quality, and help make our state more resilient.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">“Rarely are we able to acquire lands in Town that exemplify the East Greenwich landscape so well,” said East Greenwich Town Manager, Andy Nota. “From large
white pine stands to mixed hardwood forests, to prime farm soils and river frontage, the property is extraordinary. Dating back to our
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://planning.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur826/files/documents/comp/2020/EG-20Comp-Plan.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Town’s 2013 Comprehensive
Plan</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, we’ve envisioned a conservation outcome for this land. We can’t thank the DEM enough for their support as well as the taxpayers of East Greenwich and
State of Rhode Island for enabling community driven, local land conservation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Under Town management, the Pine-Lister Farm will become a publicly accessible hiking area with parking and a trailhead kiosk off of Tillinghast Road. Trailhead
signage will emphasize wildlife habitat protection and the property will be managed in accordance with a DEM approved plan that balances public use with natural heritage preservation. East Greenwich has experienced the third highest population growth of any
city or town in Rhode Island over the past 10 years and local demand for access to open space for outdoor exploration is high.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">Municipalities, land trusts, and nonprofit land conservation organizations pursuing land protection projects are eligible to apply to the Local Open Space
Grant Program. Applications are reviewed and ranked by the Governor’s </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/OpenMeetingsPublic/OpenMeetingDashboard?subtopmenuId=201&EntityID=2118"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Natural
Heritage Preservation Advisory Committee</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">, with final awards made by the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/OpenMeetingsPublic/OpenMeetingDashboard?subtopmenuId=201&EntityID=2117&MeetingID=811067"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#3366FF">State
Natural Heritage Preservation Commission</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">. Nearly 1,700 acres have been protected statewide through DEM’s Local Open Space Grant Program over the past 5 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;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:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">DEM’s
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/planning-development/grant-opportunities"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Green Space programs</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
– which include Outdoor Recreation, Local Open Space, and Recreational Trail grants – fund land conservation, recreational land acquisition and development, and recreational trail development and improvements statewide. Nearly every town in the state has received
funding through the Local Open Space Grant Program over the course of the 200+ grants administered since 1990—all thanks to voter-approved bond measures which have historically provided consistent and reliable state funding for community driven land protection
and recreation initiatives. Rhode Island’s historic parks, bikeways and green spaces provide opportunity for public enjoyment – in addition to improving the health of the environment, strengthening the state’s climate resilience, and supporting the economy.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://outdoorindustry.org/state/rhode-island__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!O8FVNWeQLbpf01kbPvDGlXTV-LrPX_v4UWaFLOXlMe9qr8wZIMFxXY-GVYL24j4WiuMv9xV2TMukdtrKgFhT7WQMs51FOMOfRSwn$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">According to the Outdoor Industry Association</span> [outdoorindustry.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">,
outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $1.7 billion in consumer spending and supports over 18,000 local jobs.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!O8FVNWeQLbpf01kbPvDGlXTV-LrPX_v4UWaFLOXlMe9qr8wZIMFxXY-GVYL24j4WiuMv9xV2TMukdtrKgFhT7WQMs51FOBpQjDF1$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">,
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!O8FVNWeQLbpf01kbPvDGlXTV-LrPX_v4UWaFLOXlMe9qr8wZIMFxXY-GVYL24j4WiuMv9xV2TMukdtrKgFhT7WQMs51FON3CzPJC$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
</span><span style="color:#00B0F0">on</span> </i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!O8FVNWeQLbpf01kbPvDGlXTV-LrPX_v4UWaFLOXlMe9qr8wZIMFxXY-GVYL24j4WiuMv9xV2TMukdtrKgFhT7WQMs51FOL8M8u0J$"><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!O8FVNWeQLbpf01kbPvDGlXTV-LrPX_v4UWaFLOXlMe9qr8wZIMFxXY-GVYL24j4WiuMv9xV2TMukdtrKgFhT7WQMs51FOCG2XJzc$"><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>
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