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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: DEM. communications@ dem. ri. gov Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 ‘TIS</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="118" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2291in" id="Picture_x0020_782" src="cid:image002.png@01DB505E.1AE16A90" 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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<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:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:DEM.communications@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DEM.communications@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"> Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><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="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;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="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center">
<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">IMPROVE RIVER HABITATS<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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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!PcMGzNNldq-dlZXbc43ZWKpQLleYR--mdt5kS3KXUcqTB71cXoGs7jNu4x-TJP-BEeioVH98CwWXjm7gWt1lPQ0BROBNXcwohKP1$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Rhode Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU)</span> [rhodeisland.tu.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
for the ‘Trees for Trout’ habitat restoration program, which collects donated conifer Christmas trees to improve habitat for wild brook trout and other aquatic organisms. The public can drop off their Christmas trees at a collection event in the New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">WHAT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> ‘Trees for Trout’
Christmas tree collection<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">WHEN:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"> Saturday, Jan. 4,
10 AM – 2 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">WHERE:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.google.com/maps/place/Arcadia*Check*Station*(RIDEM)/@41.5730173,-71.7219485,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xa1ff9152f6351182!8m2!3d41.5730173!4d-71.7219485__;Kysr!!KKphUJtCzQ!PcMGzNNldq-dlZXbc43ZWKpQLleYR--mdt5kS3KXUcqTB71cXoGs7jNu4x-TJP-BEeioVH98CwWXjm7gWt1lPQ0BROBNXcs7ukmp$"><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 and TU thank the public for their willingness to donate trees, which makes this program a success. Donors are urged to read the following information before dropping
off trees:<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>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM is only accepting real trees, not fake ones or trees sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">All decorations, tinsel, ornaments, lights, and the stand must be removed before the tree is brought
in.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Only whole conifers will be accepted, do not bring tree trimmings.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Trees larger than 5’ tall are preferred.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM will not accept large drop offs of surplus trees from businesses.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
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<span style="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 was started by TU in 2018 to assist in restoration projects to fish habitats. During the summer months, DEM’s
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">Division of Fish and Wildlife</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">
(DFW) staff, along with volunteers from TU, build “conifer revetments” where trees are strategically placed along riverbanks to provide stability and control erosion. The trees trap sediment, decompose, and gradually become part of the banks themselves. The
tree branches 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 public should never dispose of Christmas trees in waterways or beaches. 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!PcMGzNNldq-dlZXbc43ZWKpQLleYR--mdt5kS3KXUcqTB71cXoGs7jNu4x-TJP-BEeioVH98CwWXjm7gWt1lPQ0BROBNXdDjI1AE$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">here</span> [atoz.rirrc.org]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">.
Follow </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PcMGzNNldq-dlZXbc43ZWKpQLleYR--mdt5kS3KXUcqTB71cXoGs7jNu4x-TJP-BEeioVH98CwWXjm7gWt1lPQ0BROBNXfzqGFEM$"><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/X (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.<span style="color:black"> Follow
</span></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!PcMGzNNldq-dlZXbc43ZWKpQLleYR--mdt5kS3KXUcqTB71cXoGs7jNu4x-TJP-BEeioVH98CwWXjm7gWt1lPQ0BROBNXT4kzopz$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">DFW on Facebook</span> [facebook.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">
and Instagram (@ri.fishandwildlife) to stay up to date on news, events and volunteer opportunities. You can also subscribe to DFW’s monthly newsletter
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/KbXMYuX.__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!PcMGzNNldq-dlZXbc43ZWKpQLleYR--mdt5kS3KXUcqTB71cXoGs7jNu4x-TJP-BEeioVH98CwWXjm7gWt1lPQ0BROBNXRcqUiI0$"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">here</span> [lp.constantcontactpages.com]</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black">.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0066FF">
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<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>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<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-family:"Cambria",serif;color:#1F4E79;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Programming Services Officer, Public Information Officer<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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<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:image001.jpg@01DB505D.5898A160" alt="Logo
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