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East Greenwich moves to secure Tree City USA recognition after town submits application
Summary
DEM representatives briefed the council on Tree City USA standards; the council authorized the manager to pursue recognition and staff said they already submitted an application and estimate the town meets the four program standards.
Representatives from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management walked the council through the four standards for Tree City USA recognition: a tree board or department, a public tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita annually on community tree care, and an Arbor Day observance. The DEM presenters said about 15 Rhode Island communities participated and that East Greenwich already meets several criteria after passage of its public tree ordinance.
Beth Bannerman of DEM described the program’s benefits — training, grant eligibility, public recognition and networking with other communities — and said the application is an annual online submission. The town manager told the council he had already submitted East Greenwich’s application that afternoon and asked the council to retroactively authorize the administrative pursuit of Tree City USA status. The council voted unanimously to authorize the manager to pursue the designation.
Town staff said East Greenwich’s existing tree council, volunteer planting work and public‑tree expenditures exceed the $2 per capita standard based on conservative accounting used in the application. Councilors welcomed the recognition and asked staff to coordinate outreach for volunteers and to publicize the designation if approved.
