Trees 2020 Update - The Urban Forest Grows!

The 500 trees for sale to Providence homeowners at great prices through the Trees 2020 program are gorgeous, good-sized trees, 12 to 15 feet high. Several species are available, so apply early to get the best selection.

Connect Providence featured the Trees 2020 program in an earlier post before the Trees 2020 website was launched, so this update urges readers to check out the new website of this program, which will go on for the next 12 (yes, 12!) years. Our City Forester, Doug Still, is determined to see another 40,000 trees added to our urban forest, and it will take a while to make this happen.  Get familiar with this program and consider planting a tree or donating to this ultimate GREEN project.

These trees are for planting in private yards in Providence, unlike the trees available through the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program that provides street trees twice a year. The deadline to apply for next spring’s PNPP street trees is December 1, by the way. The fall planting of the PNPP street trees is going on now in the Blackstone, Charles, College Hill, Elmhurst, Elmwood, Federal Hill, Mount Hope, Olneyville, Smith Hill, Wanskuck, and West End neighborhoods. PNPP could use some help with these plantings so give Liz Downing a call at PNPP, 401-351-6440 x13 or email street_trees at pnpp.org.

Park as Muse ~ City Hall Art Exhibit Features India Point Park

Everyone is invited to the opening reception at Providence City Hall Gallery (the second floor) of an art exhibit inspired by India Point Park Friday, October 10, from 5 to 7pm. Many of the thirty-one artists who have contributed works to this exhibit have agreed to donate a percentage of their sales to Friends of India Point Park, who work tirelessly for that wonderful park overlooking the confluence of the Seekonk and Providence Rivers. Also for sale to benefit the Friends’ projects, is a black and white photograph taken in the 1940s of some boys perched on the pilings in the river.

The exhibit will continue until November 28, 2008, Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. The full press release is on the What Grows On in Rhode Island News Blog.

OTHER NEWS FROM THE FRIENDS OF INDIA POINT PARK:

The Friends are getting ready to celebrate BRIDGEFEST, the opening of the new pedestrian bridge that crosses I-195 from the Wickenden Street area of Fox Point to India Point Park on Saturday, October 18, from 1 to 4pm (rain date is Sunday, the 19th). Just as they do in the spring cleanup, they’re weeding, painting, and otherwise tidying up the park in their spare time before the 18th and welcome their neighbors’ helping hands. To help out, call Mae Warner, 273-4204.

Trees 2020 ~ Training on September 24, 2008

Trees 2020 is a new tree planting initiative that aims to initiate the planting of 40,000 trees in Providence by the year 2020 to improve our environment. Our tree purchase program offers trees at a sharp discount to Providence property owners to encourage them to plant a tree in their own yards. A training date for volunteers with or without tree knowledge is planned for Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 5pm. See below for brief invitation or the flyer and signup form.

From Doug Still, Providence City Forester:

Come be a part of the Tree Team! Volunteers are needed for Trees 2020, a new program to increase tree cover and improve the environment in Providence by encouraging homeowners and property owners to plant trees. Whether or not you have experience with trees, we need you! To learn more and get involved, please read the attached flyer.

TRAINING DATE for Site Assessment volunteers:

When: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
Where: Chamber of Commerce auditorium, 30 Exchange Terrace (downtown)
Given by: Doug Still, Providence City Forester

Send us your volunteer signup form, or contact Ray Perrault at 351-6440 x14 or by email. Our website www.trees2020.org will be on-line in late September.

T-Shirts and much appreciation for all volunteers!

This is a joint effort of the City of Providence and Groundwork Providence, funded by the Helen Walker Raleigh Tree Care Trust and the Rhode Island Foundation.

[This post originally appeared on The Providential Gardener.]