<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-BoDy-start -->
<!-- Preheader Text : BEGIN -->
<div style="display:none !important;display:none;visibility:hidden;mso-hide:all;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;height:0px;max-height:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;">
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 Wednesday, April 10, 2024 Evan. LaCross@ dem. ri. gov
</div>
<!-- Preheader Text : END -->
<!-- Email Banner : BEGIN -->
<div style="display:none !important;display:none;visibility:hidden;mso-hide:all;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;height:0px;max-height:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;">ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart</div>
<!--[if ((ie)|(mso))]>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="padding: 16px 0px 16px 0px; direction: ltr" ><tr><td>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding: 0px 10px 5px 6px; width: 100%; border-radius:4px; border-top:4px solid #90a4ae;background-color:#D0D8DC;"><tr><td valign="top">
<table align="left" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding: 4px 8px 4px 8px">
<tr><td style="color:#000000; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-weight:bold; font-size:14px; direction: ltr">
This Message Is From an External Sender
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="color:#000000; font-weight:normal; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size:12px; direction: ltr">
This message came from outside your organization.
</td></tr>
</table>
<![if ie]><br clear="all"><![endif]>
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding: 4px 0px 4px 0px"><tr>
<td style="direction: ltr"> <a target="_blank" href="https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/KKphUJtCzQ!QaGMVaynFAsvanh60UsE1LnKpbWHx1ZidIpxIrafhlhxJt3iA6OpTcDTELG2gAovSoSCcuyLTMAXl3g_0bDT3_SYKnNiSx3DGox3VPrSKwU2MWKW2nxy-Uig0qNHrq8pglqCm8sD0nB6yAe4BMoW$" style="mso-padding-alt: 7.5px; padding: 7.5px; border-radius: 2px; border: 1.5px solid #666666; "><strong style="font-weight: normal; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height: 40px; "> Report Suspicious </strong></a> ‌ </td>
</tr></table>
</td></tr></table>
</td></tr></table>
<![endif]-->
<![if !((ie)|(mso))]>
<div dir="ltr" id="pfptBannerajhtdra" style="all: revert !important; display:block !important; text-align: left !important; margin:16px 0px 16px 0px !important; padding:8px 16px 8px 16px !important; border-radius: 4px !important; min-width: 200px !important; background-color: #D0D8DC !important; background-color: #D0D8DC; border-top: 4px solid #90a4ae !important; border-top: 4px solid #90a4ae;">
<div id="pfptBannerajhtdra" style="all: unset !important; float:left !important; display:block !important; margin: 0px 0px 1px 0px !important; max-width: 600px !important;">
<div id="pfptBannerajhtdra" style="all: unset !important; display:block !important; visibility: visible !important; background-color: #D0D8DC !important; color:#000000 !important; color:#000000; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif !important; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-weight:bold !important; font-weight:bold; font-size:14px !important; line-height:18px !important; line-height:18px">
This Message Is From an External Sender
</div>
<div id="pfptBannerajhtdra" style="all: unset !important; display:block !important; visibility: visible !important; background-color: #D0D8DC !important; color:#000000 !important; color:#000000; font-weight:normal; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif !important; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size:12px !important; line-height:18px !important; line-height:18px; margin-top:2px !important;">
This message came from outside your organization.
</div>
</div>
<div id="pfptBannerajhtdra" style="all: unset !important; float: right !important; display: block !important; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px !important; text-align: right !important; width: fit-content !important;">
<a id="pfptBannerajhtdra" href="https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/KKphUJtCzQ!QaGMVaynFAsvanh60UsE1LnKpbWHx1ZidIpxIrafhlhxJt3iA6OpTcDTELG2gAovSoSCcuyLTMAXl3g_0bDT3_SYKnNiSx3DGox3VPrSKwU2MWKW2nxy-Uig0qNHrq8pglqCm8sD0nB6yAe4BMoW$"
style="all: unset !important; display: inline-block !important; text-decoration: none">
<div class="pfptPrimaryButtonajhtdra" style="display: inline-block !important; display: inline-block; visibility: visible !important; opacity: 1 !important; color: #000000 !important; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif !important; font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: normal !important; text-decoration: none !important; border-radius: 2px !important; padding: 7.5px 16px !important; margin: 3px 0 3px 16px !important; white-space: nowrap !important; width: fit-content !important;
border: 1px solid #666666">
Report Suspicious
</div>
</a>
</div>
<div style="clear: both !important; display: block !important; visibility: hidden !important; line-height: 0 !important; font-size: 0.01px !important; height: 0px"> </div>
</div>
<![endif]>
<div style="display:none !important;display:none;visibility:hidden;mso-hide:all;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;height:0px;max-height:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;">ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd</div>
<!-- Email Banner : END -->
<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-BoDy-end -->
<html>
<head><!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-HeAdEr-start -->
<style>
#pfptBannerajhtdra { all: revert !important; display: block !important;
visibility: visible !important; opacity: 1 !important;
background-color: #D0D8DC !important;
max-width: none !important; max-height: none !important }
.pfptPrimaryButtonajhtdra:hover, .pfptPrimaryButtonajhtdra:focus {
background-color: #b4c1c7 !important; }
.pfptPrimaryButtonajhtdra:active {
background-color: #90a4ae !important; }
</style>
<!-- BaNnErBlUrFlE-HeAdEr-end -->
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<style type="text/css" style="display:none;"> P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;} </style>
</head>
<body dir="ltr">
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> </div>
<table style="width: 535.5pt; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;">
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><img alt="DEM-logo-small" id="x_Picture_x0020_4" width="83" height="118" style="width: 0.868in; height: 1.2361in; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" data-outlook-trace="F:1|T:1" src="cid:image001.png@01DA8B2C.96E91310"></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 449.1pt;">
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Impact, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(0, 69, 122);">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 69, 122);">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 112, 192);">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" id="OWA2ee93eaa-ba93-b064-0155-b99eec6f9182" class="OWAAutoLink">www.dem.ri.gov</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 112, 192);">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 69, 122);">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 112, 192);"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100
Wednesday, April 10, 2024</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="mailto:Michael.Healey@dem.ri.gov" id="OWA96b94150-b002-cdf7-54f8-0814d0ee3731" class="OWAAutoLink" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Evan.LaCross@dem.ri.gov</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br>
</p>
<p align="center" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;"><b>FREE TREES AVAILABLE, JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING PLANTING:</b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;"><b>REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 12 FOR POPULAR ENERGY-SAVING TREES PROGRAM</b></span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(32, 31, 30);"> </span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<img width="621" height="470" style="width: 6.4722in; height: 4.9027in; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; float: right;" data-outlook-trace="F:1|T:1" src="cid:image005.jpg@01DA8B47.489DC910"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">PROVIDENCE,
RI – </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;">The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) – along with partners the
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ritree.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws073Nm-_$" id="OWA685db017-e9ec-637e-32c1-6aae2abd18c4" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">RI
Tree Council [ritree.org]</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;">,
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rinla.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dwsx25rtGC$" id="OWA68661131-5250-ac0f-2910-1d55645927d7" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Rhode
Island Nursery and Landscape Association [rinla.org]</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;">, and the
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.arborday.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws6D3ck4C$" id="OWAc727eeaf-4850-4aec-c49e-bab13eff6d3a" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Arbor
Day Foundation [arborday.org]</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;"> – is giving over 2,000 trees away to Rhode Islanders this spring through the
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/forestry/urban-forestry/energy-tree.php" id="OWAcb457ed6-80a5-0007-6969-09b4b0106bb4" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Energy-Saving
Trees program</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;">. Registration opens on Friday, April 12. Now in its eighth year, this popular semiannual program helps Rhode Islanders save energy and lower their
utility bills by strategically planting trees on their property. </span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: black;"><b><i>Thanks to DEM’s partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Rhode Islanders have benefited by receiving thousands of free trees over the past several years. Individually,
the average homeowner can save up to 20% on energy bills by planting the right tree in the right place. Collectively, the Energy-Saving Trees Program is helping to improve air quality and fight climate change.</i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Planting trees in our neighborhoods makes them greener and provides shade to keep people cooler and healthier
in hot weather. These are investments in our communities and the quality of life throughout Rhode Island, particularly in our cities. From an environmental perspective, planting a tree in the right place can improve air quality, capture and store carbon, and
help manage stormwater runoff,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “It’s a terrific way for Rhode Islanders to reduce their energy costs today and in the years to come, and a tangible way to stand up to climate change.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Planting the right tree in the right place is the key to maximizing the energy-saving benefits trees provide.
When planted properly, a single tree can save homeowners money on energy costs by shading their home in the summer and blocking cold winds in the winter. Additional benefits include improving air quality, reducing stormwater runoff, and beautifying your surroundings.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This season, participants in the program will have the option to reserve one tree that can be picked up at one
of four tree pickup events as well as one tree that will be mailed directly to their home. Species for in-person pickup will include paw paw, tree lilac, Kousa dogwood, Princeton elm, bald cypress, and tulip tree. Trees species for direct mailing include
white flowering dogwood, eastern redbud, river birch, pin oak, sycamore, sugar maple, and black cherry. DEM partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to secure trees from local regional nurseries that are acceptable for Rhode Island’s climate for the Energy-Savings
Trees Program. The trees that were selected are known to do well in Rhode Island without being invasive, are less likely to be affected by pests, and provide the same energy-saving benefits. To maximize the fossil fuel-reducing and energy cost-reducing aspects
of the program, DEM balances the benefits of native trees which increase biodiversity with the benefits of trees that are easy to grow in a variety of different spaces and conditions because not every Rhode Islander has the same backyard. The process to reserve
your free tree only takes a few minutes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sign up at
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.arborday.org/RIDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7DwswUz50nO$" id="OWAdeb98d82-bb21-ba8e-a08d-5e183270e9fb" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">www.arborday.org/RIDEM [arborday.org]</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and
map your house by using the interactive mapping tool.</span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Select your chosen species by choosing from the list of available trees.</span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reserve your tree and select your pick-up location from the following list of locations.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Richmond Elementary School</b>: 190 Kingstown Rd, Richmond, 02898</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday, April 27</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><b><a href="https://riparks.ri.gov/parks/colt-state-park" id="OWA74c4d67e-b05f-e665-a1f5-4d755742cd98" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Colt
State Park</a></b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">: Route 114, Bristol, 02809 (DEM will set up in the parking lot by the main office)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday, May 4</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><b><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/contact-us/directions-division-parks-and-recreation" id="OWA5363e106-db42-851f-df32-a92fba28e16b" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">RI
State Parks Headquarters</a></b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">: 1100 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday, May 11</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><b><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ritree.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws073Nm-_$" id="OWAd6aa6220-8696-468d-b2ed-e90c6ac6ef8a" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">RI
Tree Council [ritree.org]</a></b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">: 2953 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, 02919</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday, May 18</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The trees for in-person pickup will be about four to six feet tall each and are in three-gallon containers. These
trees fit in most cars for transportation to your home. Trees that are mailed directly to participants’ homes will be smaller and arrive in one-gallon containers. All program participants must be Rhode Island residents and pre-register
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.arborday.org/RIDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7DwswUz50nO$" id="OWA9a94c913-25fa-a4df-51c3-2dca8ca1b602" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">online [arborday.org]</a>
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">beginning on April 12 to reserve their free tree.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Funding for the program is provided by the
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.rggi.org/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws8jgwq-5$" id="OWAf4215dda-9340-4c38-1c55-fb814ad52e61" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative [rggi.org]</a><u>.</u></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> For online registration assistance, please contact the Arbor Day Foundation at 1-855-234-3801. For more information about the Rhode Island
Energy-Saving Trees Program, please visit the DEM Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment (DAFE)
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/forest-environment/urban-and-community" id="OWAc409eb4b-c92e-5935-34b5-2ca987888e27" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Urban
and Community Forestry webpage</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> or follow DAFE
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/riforest__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws63C72jc$" id="OWA14c18284-0a82-dc8a-6984-bffdc0be9729" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">on
Facebook [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/" id="OWA55ccceaa-47b6-c40f-49b4-80b36784c273" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">www.dem.ri.gov</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.
Follow </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 255);"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws4PbZz3Q$" id="OWAe591a035-cea8-416e-6651-16f831bc139e" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">DEM
on Facebook [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 78, 121);"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 78, 121);">Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; color: rgb(0, 70, 120);"><b>Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; color: rgb(118, 113, 113);">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; color: rgb(118, 113, 113);">401-799-0100 (c)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><a href="mailto:evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov" id="OWA1ab5d2aa-a2c4-2f30-23fd-be84f6a17e35" class="OWAAutoLink" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; color: gray;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; color: rgb(118, 113, 113);">(E);
<a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/" id="OWA6ea2ee6b-3a0b-c4c4-82b6-15473b26a327" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(118, 113, 113); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
www.dem.ri.gov</a> (W)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 150, 210);"><i>Follow DEM on
</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 70, 120);"><i><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws6YiaSpB$" id="OWA5f19deae-27c8-9bf6-236d-c1f518c679ea" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 70, 120); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Facebook [facebook.com]</a></i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">,</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 150, 210);"><i>
</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 176, 240);"><i>on</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><i>
</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 32, 96);"><i><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dwsx_kAlTe$" id="OWAc59ae338-2d61-ec34-206c-668a006fb89e" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 32, 96); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Instagram [instagram.com]</a></i>,</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 176, 240);">and</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 150, 210);"><i>on
</i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 70, 120);"><i><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!KPygprBt_5yHnIvfgq3lilkr-gSxSv0AjYMevAIBF0mgV0WY1qXiKoJt0ZGUDj-CpybhALHn7A9pFL6biGhZJcUrz7Dws_nBB5sY$" id="OWAa3fde6da-b068-f34d-2f7f-fc81ef0607e2" class="OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" style="color: rgb(0, 70, 120); margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Twitter [twitter.com]</a></i></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 150, 210);"><i>.</i></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 105%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<img alt="Logo
Description automatically generated" id="x_Picture_x0020_1" width="151" height="75" style="width: 1.5833in; height: 0.7916in; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" data-outlook-trace="F:1|T:1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DA8B2C.96E91310"></p>
</body>
</html>