PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that the annual Rhode Island Arbor Day celebration will be held on Friday, April 24 at Rhode Island College's Outdoor Bee Education Center. The Center is located on the RIC campus at 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue in Providence.
Participants in the 10 a.m. program will include DEM Director Janet Coit; Rhode Island College President Nancy Carriuolo; US Senator Jack Reed; North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi; and RI State Forester Bruce Payton. Members of the Rhode Island College Environmental Club, along with students from the Cooperative Preschool at Rhode Island College, will also take part in the program. In addition to the planting of two red maple trees, the event will feature a reading of the official State Arbor Day proclamation and the announcement of America The Beautiful tree grants and Tree City USA community designations.
This year's Arbor Day celebration at Rhode Island College will add beauty and increase tree canopy cover to the newly-opened and custom-designed outdoor classroom. The Bee Education Center and apiary are part of the college's Urban and Community Farming Initiative, which include a campus garden and farmers market. The ceremony will highlight the important Green Initiative work that Rhode Island College students and staff have undertaken to safeguard the environment and promote eco-friendly practices through sustainability programming and education.