R.I. receives $650K grant for urban forestry projects

WOONSOCKET – Rhode Island received a $650,000 grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, working with American Forests, a longstanding conservation organization, to increase urban forests statewide. The announcement coincided with Arbor Day.

The grant will support planting and tree care for three to five pilot communities and for the state to develop an urban tree canopy goal, increase relations with nursery and landscape associations, and develop an online tool to assist with optimization of the program.

The grant also will support a two-year grant-funded position for an American Forest employee to be housed at the R.I. Department of Environmental Management to oversee the implementation of the grant funds.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s office said that the organizations identified the state’s Resilient Rhody action plan as part of the reason for the grant.

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“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Arbor Day than by announcing more than $650,000 in grants to support forestry projects in Rhode Island,” said Raimondo. “Trees are critical in our fight against climate change, and statewide urban tree planning was one of the key strategies identified in our Resilient Rhody report as a way to build climate resiliency in our state.”

The DEM also announced $15,000 in America the Beautiful: Tree Rhode Island grants Friday, matched by $22,500 in matching grants, including:

  • City of Central Falls – $3,000 matched by $4,500 for tree planting in Central Falls as part of a neighborhood revitalization project
  • City of Woonsocket – $3,000 matched by $4,500 to implement a set-back tree planting program
  • Middletown Tree Association – $1,500 matched by $2,250 to plant and maintain trees at Middletown Valley Park
  • Providence Forestry – $2,000 matched by $3,000 to create a website through which Providence residents and stakeholders can learn about the forthcoming Urban Forest Plan process and access the recently completed Providence street tree inventory
  • The Compass School – $1,500 matched by $2,250 to establish a food forest demonstration site at The Compass School Farm
  • West Bay Land Trust – $1,500 matched by $2,250 to conduct outreach and publicity for the Cranston Neighborhood Tree Planting Program
  • Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council – $2,500 matched by $3,750 to plant native trees along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Bike Path

“The simple act of planting a tree has so many environmental benefits,” stated DEM Director Janet Coit. “One tree, planted in the right place, can improve air quality, sequester carbon, and help manage stormwater runoff. It’s a tangible way to stand up to climate change and beautify our communities at the same time.”

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. You may reach him at Berenheim@PBN.com.