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 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.&#8202;222.&#8202;4700 | www.&#8202;dem.&#8202;ri.&#8202;gov | @RhodeIslandDEM CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Thursday, May 9, 2024 Dem.&#8202;communications@&#8202;dem.&#8202;ri.&#8202;gov
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<p class="MsoNormal"><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><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><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 class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">CONTACT:</span></b><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;&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; <b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100&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; Thursday, May 9, 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="mailto:Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#3366FF">Dem.communications@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#3366FF">
</span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</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">DEM ANNOUNCES $2.6 MILLION IN GREEN BOND AWARDS TO HELP COMMUNITIES PROTECT OPEN SPACE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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 RI &#8211;<span style="color:black"> The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today the award of $2.6 million in grants to help communities and local conservation organizations protect valuable green space throughout the state.&nbsp; Eleven
 projects will receive matching grants through DEM&#8217;s competitive </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/planning-development/grant-opportunities"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Local
 Open Space Grant Program</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> to protect 383 acres across Rhode Island. The funding is made possible by the
</span><a name="_Hlk164943072"></a><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/green-bond-2022-green-bond"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk164943072"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">2022 Green Bond</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk164943072"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk164943072"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">,
 which was passed by almost 70 percent Rhode Island voters, and invests in preserving open space, improving recreational facilities, and cleaning up lands and waters.
<br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Photo caption: A $54,500 grant will help the Town of Burrillville conserve 6.5-acres north of Duck Pond along the Pascoag Rail Trail. Photo Credit: B. Buckless, DEM.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">&#8220;There is much important land conservation work being done at the local level throughout Rhode Island&#8221; said DEM Director Terry Gray. &#8220;DEM is pleased to support
 communities and conservation groups who work to make Rhode Island a greener place by improving access to the outdoors, protecting water quality, and helping make our state more resilient.&#8221;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Municipalities, land trusts, and nonprofit land conservation organizations pursuing land protection projects were eligible to apply to the fiscal year 2024
 Local Open Space Grant Program in October 2023. Applications were reviewed and ranked by the Governor&#8217;s
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/OpenMeetingsPublic/OpenMeetingDashboard?subtopmenuId=201&amp;EntityID=2118"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Natural
 Heritage Preservation Advisory Committee</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">, with final awards made by the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/OpenMeetingsPublic/OpenMeetingDashboard?subtopmenuId=201&amp;EntityID=2117&amp;MeetingID=811067"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">State
 Natural Heritage Preservation Commission</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> earlier this month.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Grants of up to $400,000 &#8211; which may be used to cover up to half of the applicants&#8217; project cost &#8211; are awarded to projects which preserve lands offering significant
 natural, ecological or agricultural value and those projects that connect or expand existing protected lands.&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">The eleven open space grants being awarded today to protect 383 acres of open space include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Town of Burrillville &#8211; Barnes:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $54,500 grant to acquire 6.5
 acres of forestland along the Pascoag Rail Trail. The property contains an important wetland complex and a tributary to the Clear River. The land is located within a community wellhead protection area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:190.65pt;margin-top:.95pt;width:241.85pt;height:322.5pt;z-index:-251655168;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image005.jpg@01DAA212.02F7DB80" o:title="" />
<w:wrap type="tight" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="322" height="430" style="width:3.3541in;height:4.4791in" src="cid:image009.jpg@01DAA213.9B820A00" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Aquidneck
 Land Trust: </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">$400,000 grant to acquire a scenic tract of farmland in Portsmouth. The land includes prime farmland soils and will be maintained in agricultural use with
 designated habitat areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Audubon Society of Rhode Island &#8211; Long/Smiley:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $20,500 grant
 to acquire 36 acres of core forestland in Coventry east of Fairbanks Corner. The property abuts Audubon&#8217;s 75-acre Perched Boulder Woodlands and contains a coniferous wetland complex supporting stands of middle-aged eastern hemlock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">City of Pawtucket &#8211; Riverside Burial Society:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $250,000 grant
 to acquire 4-acres of land along the Seekonk River south of Tidewater Landing. The property is an undeveloped portion of the Victorian-era Riverside Cemetery which is nearly 150 years-old and just north of Providence&#8217;s Swan Point Cemetery.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<br>
<br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Photo caption: A view of the Seekonk River from lands belonging to the Riverside Burial Society of Pawtucket. Photo Credit: B. Buckless, DEM.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">South Kingstown Land Trust &#8211; Kinney Azalea Gardens:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $300,000
 to acquire a Conservation Easement over 10 acres of the historic Kinney Azalea Gardens in Kingston. Since 1955 this public garden has welcomed visitors to admire more than 500 varieties of azaleas. The gardens were designed by Lorenzo Kinney, Sr. who was the
 University of Rhode Island&#8217;s first professor of botany.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Westerly Land Trust &#8211; Champlin:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $400,000 for the Westerly
 Land Trust to acquire 90-acres of farmland and forestland containing more than 1,000 feet of frontage on the federally designated Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">The Nature Conservancy &#8211; Cayer:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $185,000 grant for the Rhode
 Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to acquire 25-acres of core forestland in Hopkinton contiguous with Rockville Management Area and Canonchet Brook Preserve.&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Town of Smithfield &#8211; Conti:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $117,500 grant to the Town of
 Smithfield for acquisition of 3-acres across from Whipple Ave south of Georgiaville Pond. The acquisition will expand trailhead access to Smithfield Land Trust&#8217;s Olivia&#8217;s Woods Preserve and protect riparian land along Whipple Brook east of its confluence with
 the Woonasquatucket River.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Town of Bristol &#8211; Mt. Hope Community Forest:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $400,000 grant
 for the Town of Bristol to acquire 120-acres of forestland and farmland off of Tower Street. This property is slated to become the Mt. Hope Community Forest and will protect an important historic and cultural site with particular significance for Native American
 history.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk164674544"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Westerly Land Trust &#8211; Boy Scouts:</span></b></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk164674544"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">
 $87,500 for the Westerly Land Trust to acquire 4.6 acres along the Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River abutting the Land Trust&#8217;s 150-acre Riverwood Preserve. The property contains a paddle craft launch on the Pawcatuck that will be maintained by Westerly Land
 Trust. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk164674544"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">South Kingstown Land Trust &#8211; Faella:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black"> $400,000 for South Kingstown
 Land Trust to acquire 34-acres along the South </span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:223.8pt;margin-top:1157.95pt;width:275pt;height:206.25pt;z-index:-251653120;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image008.jpg@01DAA212.02F7DB80" o:title="" />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="367" height="275" style="width:3.8229in;height:2.8645in" src="cid:image010.jpg@01DAA213.9B820A00" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_5"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">County
 Bike Path contiguous with DEM&#8217;s Great Swamp Management Area. The property contains more than 500-feet of frontage on White Horn Brook upstream of its confluence with the federally designated Wild and Scenic Chipuxet River.&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><br>
</span><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Photo caption: The Champlin property&#8217;s prime and important farmland soils have been in agricultural production for over a century. Photo Credit: B. Buckless, DEM.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Since 1985, over 13,000 acres of land have been protected through the Local Open Space Grant Program.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">These natural assets play a big role in the state's tourism economy by providing opportunities for the public to camp, fish, hunt, hike, and enjoy the great outdoors. Rhode
 Island&#8217;s historic parks, bikeways and green spaces provide opportunity for public enjoyment &#8211; in addition to improving the health of the environment, strengthening the state&#8217;s climate resilience, and supporting the economy.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://outdoorindustry.org/state/rhode-island__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JzJjwxVFmFYb0DdZVXpppX_3bQH9Q4xatS97fUOcb07YbHb7hBdpmIouHsWk6rqd04i2U_WrZJXdjlFSKDlVALHQicN5yuL8Dqz6$"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">According to the Outdoor Industry Association</span> [outdoorindustry.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">,
 outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $1.7 billion in consumer spending and supports over 18,000 local jobs.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">.
 Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JzJjwxVFmFYb0DdZVXpppX_3bQH9Q4xatS97fUOcb07YbHb7hBdpmIouHsWk6rqd04i2U_WrZJXdjlFSKDlVALHQicN5yoW9eLD0$"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">,
 Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Cambria&quot;,serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><br>
Evan LaCross, MPA</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Cambria&quot;,serif;color:#1F4E79"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Cambria&quot;,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:&quot;Cambria&quot;,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:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:#767171;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,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:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif">evan.lacross@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:gray;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
</span><span style="font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,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:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:#767171">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,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:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,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!JzJjwxVFmFYb0DdZVXpppX_3bQH9Q4xatS97fUOcb07YbHb7hBdpmIouHsWk6rqd04i2U_WrZJXdjlFSKDlVALHQicN5yqu5mL__$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:#004678">Facebook</span></i> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,<i><span style="color:#0096D2">
</span><span style="color:#00B0F0">on</span> </i></span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!JzJjwxVFmFYb0DdZVXpppX_3bQH9Q4xatS97fUOcb07YbHb7hBdpmIouHsWk6rqd04i2U_WrZJXdjlFSKDlVALHQicN5yh_vl2HW$"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:#002060">Instagram</span></i> [instagram.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;color:#002060;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">,</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:&quot;Century Gothic&quot;,sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
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