History
History of the Rhode Island Tree Council
The Rhode Island Tree Council (RITree) helps improve Rhode Island’s tree resources, build healthy and vibrant urban forests, and educates citizens about urban forestry. A non-profit, tax-exempt, 501C (3) entity, the group offers a wide variety of programs and resources designed to educate the public on the benefits and value of trees. RITree’s membership is open to all. It includes local organizations, professional consultants, and individual volunteers, who act as Advisors and Trustees for the organization and serve on its Board of Directors. We invite everyone to join in our efforts to educate the public on the importance of trees and how they protect the environment.
The Rhode Island Urban and Forestry Council founded RI Tree in 1994 when the IRS granted it a non-profit status. The following year the organization adopted a mission statement, a full slate of organization by-laws, and Board of Director structure. It also changed its name to the Rhode Island Tree Council (RI Tree). Shortly after that, the organization began offering urban forestry-related programs and activities designed to boost the public’s awareness of the benefits and value of trees.
RI Tree also partnered with other local environmental organizations, RIDEM-Division of Forest Environment, and the United States Forest Service during that time to help accomplish its mission. Since then, the organization has grown and prospered. Today, RI Tree is among the state’s most active and most effective environmental group. It offers numerous educational programs and resources to residents, including its highly respected Tree Steward course.
Our Mission
Our Mission
RITree’s mission is to create healthy urban and community forests, which underpin the state’s verdant ecological tapestry, support its vibrant economy, and enrich the lives of all Rhode Islanders. Many local and national organizations, like National Grid and RIDEM, are strong supporters of RI Tree and its mission.
Our Challenge
Our Challenge
RITree’s efforts come at a critical time. Compacted soils, higher temperatures, and the influx of exotic pests are placing enormous stress on today’s trees. Their lifespan is short and, when they die, rarely we replace them. Rural forests are under extreme pressure as well. Forest fragmentation, however, is the biggest problem. Fueled by the creation of solar farms and new housing developments, tree losses are mouning, and urban and community forests are shrinking. This loss degrades the rural landscape and leaves inner cities unhealthy and tree-starved. It also costs Rhode Islanders dearly, eliminating approximately $2 billion in tree-related benefits from our environmental balance sheet. We must reverse these losses. That won’t happen until Rhode Islanders collectively begin to value, protect, support, and consider trees in all community decisions.
Our Achievements
Our Achievements
- Developed Urban and Community Forestry Plan
- Created a Five-Year Strategic Plan for RI Tree
- Initiated Champion Tree Program
- Introduced the annual Arbor Day celebration program
- Produced RITree’s educational Tree Care videos
- Introduced RI Municipal Education Workshops
- Created Trees Honoring Troops program
- Developed Tree Stewards Education course
- Established Fruit Tree Growing course
- Created an interactive RITree Website
- Introduced Root Tips digital newsletter
RITree is supported by membership dues, sponsorships gifts, and non-profit grants. An endowment campaign is currently underway to support its educational programs, resources, and outreach programs. The organization’s financial records are audited annually by certified public accountants.
Benefits of Trees
Value of Rhode Island’s Forests
Forests in Rhode Island cover 56 percent or 368,373 acres of state land. RI forests contain a wide variety of tree species, with over 46 sampled in 2017. Meanwhile, an estimate 213 acres or 58% of the forested land in the state is considered core forest. Core forests are defined as blocks of forested land greater than 250 acres in size.
In addition, Rhode Island is notable for its 286,000 acres of urban and community land with 52% overall tree cover. The state is among the top 5 of all U.S. states for urban and community land as a percent of total state land area. The majority of forestland in Rhode Island is privately owned.
Rhode Island’s forests are owned and managed by a combination of federal and state agencies and institutions, national and local land trusts, other nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. The state’s 38,000 private landowners are especially important – their individual properties are typically small, but they collectively control about 68% of the state’s forestland.
The Value of Rhode Island Forests, a joint project of the Rhode Island Advisory Committee and the Rhode Island Tree Council, provides a more in depth look at what the state’s forests contribute to the community. The project was developed for the RI DEM Division of Forest Environment, and made possible with funding from the USDA Forest Service.
Benefits of Urban Forests and Trees.
Clean Air and Water
- 80% of residents rely on surface reservoirs of forests surrounded by watersheds for drinking water
- Remove more than 13,800 tons of hazardous air pollutants annually
- Provide more than $30 million annually in pollution removal benefits
Generates Key Economic Benefits*
- Employ more than 4,800 employees in 500 firms producing forestry/wood products
- Generate total economic benefit of more than $715 million (2016)
- Provide recreational facilities for more than 503, 000 people
- Bring in more than $348 million to the state’s economy through fishing and wildlife watching.
Absorbs/Store Carbon to Fight Climate Change
- RI forests absorb about 500,000 metric tons of carbon each year
- Store an estimated 26.7 million tons of carbon
- Help Rhode Island communities adapt to change by protecting them from extreme weather
Support Healthy People and Initiatives
- Support healthy communities by countering urban heat island effect, mitigate the dangers of flooding, reduces energy bills, and improves mental health
- Used by indigenous people as places to gather resources for food, medicine, and culturally significant ceremonies
- Provides a sense of place to rural Rhode Island communities
Allow Wildlife to Thrive
- Supports 450 species of wildlife and our greatest conservation need in RI in core forests larger than 250 acres
*See The Economic Importance of Rhode Island’s Forests for more information.
What is a tree worth?
RITree’s inventories of forests in six Rhode Island urban communities found that an average tree provides over $108 in annual value, including:
- $42 in energy savings
- $40 in aesthetic value
- $11 in storm water control
Community forests provide $450 per acre and $288,000 per square mile in benefits. Collectively, the urban community of the six communities presented below provide approximately $32.5 million annually in environmental services, including savings, carbon storage, and storm water controls.
| City/Town | # of trees | Canopy acres as % total acres | Value of benefits provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranston | 90,639 | 7.98 | $7,259,434 |
| Johnston | 48,606 | 5.04 | $5,189,542 |
| North Providence | 29,631 | 12.92 | $3,185,072 |
| Warren | 19,954 | 4.83 | $1,645,099 |
| Warwick | 158,152 | 9.37 | $12,844,406 |
| Woonsocket | 19,966 | 6.95 | $2,321,926 |
| Total | 366,948 | 7.91 | $32,445,479 |
Trees provide benefits beyond economic and environmental values. Simply put, the enrich our lives in many ways, including giving us a sense of place.
Key RI Tree Council Programs
Volunteers Contributions
Volunteers effectively administer RI Tree’s programs, serve on its Board of Directors, Advisors, and Trustees. Membership is open to all, and everyone can join in our effort to preserve the environment. Our volunteers provide numerous services to the community during the year.