Newport Tree Conservancy State of the Forest 2022

state OF THE forest 2022

STAFF

BOARD

Natasha Harrison Executive Director

Lilly Dick President

Jon Greenberg Operations Manager

Maureen Cronin

Olivia Hinsey-Langlais Horticulture Assistant Annie Holbert Operations Assistant Rachel Holbert Program Director Joe Verstandig Living Collections Manager

Robert Currier Secretary Lisa Lewis Rocky Steeves Maureen Whitley Scott Wheeler Ex-Officio Advisor

Kristyn Woodland Horticulturist

The Newport Tree Conservancy is dedicated to fostering a healthy urban forest in the City of Newport, Rhode Island through a permanent tree management and planting program, for the benefit of present and future citizens of Newport.

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NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

DEAR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS, 2021 was a very successful and eventful year for NTC. We made great leaps towards a greener Newport and a community that understands and values the trees in our midst.

We successfully worked with hundreds of Newport students through our partnerships with the Newport School System and our fellow organizations and institutions. Elementary, Middle and High School students learned about the trees in their parks and neighborhoods and deepened their understanding of how our environment, science and trees intersect.

NTC created several new public programs to examine and learn about trees

guided programs proved to be educational and fun for participants and NTC staff alike.

In 2021 we expanded our capacity to care for our public trees through our volunteer initiative: Tree Corps. This dedicated group of volunteers help to plant, weed, mulch and water the trees in Newport’s parks, along streets and in public spaces. This engaging program aims to maintain and improve the health of our urban forest while also deepening our community’s engagement with our shared tree canopy.

In addition, we have continued our efforts to propagate Newport’s most notable and historic trees, with well over 100 individual offspring now growing at our

and landscapes in our community. From the Island Cemetery to some spectacular private properties to our public parks; these

Heritage Tree Center. In partnership with the City of Newport, we have funded and supported over 200 new tree plantings in

our community through our tree giveaway and street tree programs.

Our organization has grown over the past two years and in 2021 we found ourselves in need of office space to accommodate our growing team. We are very fortunate to have a supportive community and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum offered to rent us a beautiful space in the Ballard Annex. We have enjoyed being in our neighborhood and our team is working at peak capacity to continue planting for the future; we hope you will join us in our efforts!

Natasha Harrison Executive Director

State of the Forest 2022

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FORESTRY Trees in an urban environment need extra support in order to survive and thrive. Our partnership with the City of Newport ensures that our community forest receives the necessary care to endure and flourish for generations to come.

320

PUBLIC TREES CARED FOR

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NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

Jenna Keilch, Newport City Forester (L) & Charlie Ridolf, Foreman Parks, Grounds & Forestry (R).

208

TREES PLANTED

38FALL 2021

SPECIMEN TREE PROGRAM

104FALL 2021

MIANTANOMI PARK REFORESTATION

57SPRING 2022

COMMUNITY TREE PROGRAM

9SPRING 2022

COMMEMORATIVE TREE PROGRAM

State of the Forest 2022

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PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Healthy trees make healthy communities, and healthy communities make healthy trees. NTC takes pride in offering a wide range of opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with Newport’s urban forest. From monthly guided tours, to technical workshops and hands-on volunteer projects, we want everyone to be able to explore, care for and learn from Newport’s trees. The awareness, advocacy, and support of our community is essential to creating and maintaining a healthy and vibrant urban forest.

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SITES

5

ADULT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

5

WORKSHOPS

NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

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TREE WALKS

Our work is only possible thanks to the tremendous community of volunteers who donate their time for the benefit of Newport’s trees.

We owe special thanks to our steadfast volunteers who join us week after week to care for our shared tree canopy.

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VOLUNTEERS

38 235

WORK PROJECTS SERVICE HOURS

State of the Forest 2022

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EDUCATION In our second year of NTC’s new education program, youth engagement became considerably more flexible as participants were vaccinated against Covid-19. Teachers and students still wanted to get outside for engaging programs, but NTC staff were able to enter classrooms and community center buildings more safely. As a result, youth programs shifted from being entirely outdoors in 2020 to split nearly 50-50 with indoor learning in 2021.

389

YOUTH PARTICIPANTS

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NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

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AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

36

FIELD TRIPS

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CLASSROOM PROGRAMS

67

PROGRAM HOURS

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL 9th grade Biology and Newport Project students participated in a year-long learning lab series where every classroom benefited from eight months of programs. Student enrichment included hands-on investigation of DNA, specialized structure and function, biodiversity, visits to Ballard Park and more, all through the lens of tree biology. NTC partnered with teachers to closely integrate our programming within existing classroom curriculum and learning objectives.

MLKCC AFTER SCHOOL EAST BAY MET SCHOOL 10th grade students partnered with NTC for the second year of an engaging science skill-building program series in Miantonomi Park.

Students utilized ecology techniques that complimented discussions about climate change and the carbon dioxide that trees take in and sequester each year. Students reviewed tree equity data and engaged in meaningful conversations around environmental justice: who does or does not have access to benefits of trees, including mitigation of dangerous heat island, cleaner air, and reduced energy costs.

PELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3rd and 4th graders ventured out to Miantonomi Park for local “walking” field trips. Utilizing students’ own sense of place and familiarity of the park, NTC customized programs to focus on teachers’ requested topics.

Students explored the ecosystem hidden below mulch surrounding recently planted trees, learned how trees use their vascular system to suck water up from their roots through straw-like structures, and observed native wildlife that depends on a healthy urban forest.

Continuing our on-going partnership with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, NTC offered free fall and spring after school programming for youth in grades 1-5.

Many of our Pell students appeared in MLKCC programs and enjoyed this familiarity throughout their school year. Programs focussed on student enjoyment and interest in aspects of the urban forest: bark texture, flowering trees, and the animals who make their homes in Newport’s canopy. We encouraged social and emotional learning that will carry students beyond their school day and fuel a life-long love of trees.

State of the Forest 2022

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TREE EQUITY NEWPORT’S URBAN FOREST PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS:

13.8

MILLION GALLONS annual storm water interception

20-45ºF surface temperature reduction

9.2

THOUSAND TONS annual CO2 sequestered

BUT THESE BENEFITS AREN’T EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

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NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

Thank to a new tool, the Tree Equity Score Analyzer (TESA), NTC can better identify gaps in our urban forest. By combining census data, temperature readings and satellite imagery, TESA calculates whether there are enough trees in specific neighborhoods for all Newporters to experience the health, economic and climate benefits that trees provide.

LEGEND TREE EQUITY SCORE high priority

low priority

HEALTH EQUITY ZONE

The map at right shows Newport’s tree equity scores by census block group. In 2021, NTC began utilizing TESA to focus our outreach and planting efforts. Highlighted in yellow are the neighborhoods that make up Newport’s Health Equity Zone (HEZ).

NTC is partnering with HEZ organizers to address long-standing tree inequities in the north-end and ensure that all Newporters are able to enjoy the benefits that trees provide.

State of the Forest 2022

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HORTICULTURAL PRESERVATION THE STAR OF MAGNOLIAS Newport is home to a vast wealth of diverse plant species and genetics, referred to in horticulture as germplasm (genetic identity). In some cases, storied plants maintain the same germplasm for centuries through repetitive clonal propagation. In others, plants evolve unique and notable traits through selection and cultivation in the nursery trade, research institutions and the home garden. It is often difficult to identify germplasm that is “special” with the naked eye. It is important to know the source of the plant, how it was propagated, and differing characteristics that prove its individuality. Sometimes though, you just know, or at least you think you do.

The Newport Art Museum’s star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is one such case. This inspiring tree is one the most important plants in the Newport community. Visitors 11

NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

from around the world admire its brilliance, maturity, and grandeur. It does not however, resemble star magnolias we normally see in the garden.

Modern star magnolias, often in the form of numerous cultivars, are noticeably different. They are shrubbier, variably fragrant, and have dramatically thinner

tepals that are produced in higher numbers.

Many of these varieties, including ‘Royal Star’, ‘Waterlily’, and ‘Centennial’, were all selected in the latter half of the 20th century, long after our tree was planted.

Does this mean the Art Museum magnolia is the only one of its kind? Unlikely, similar trees originating from the same source

must be extant somewhere. But in Newport, it stands alone, unable to be replaced by plants at the nursery. Because cultivated Magnolia stellata differ drastically from what we have growing in front of the Art Museum, the importance of preserving this plant becomes so much greater.

In 2021, NTC tried multiple times to root softwood cuttings under mist. While we were able to root a few of the cuttings, they could not be overwintered. In the fall of that same year, we collected and planted seed, and have been quite successful in germinating several plants this spring. This year, we plan to retry taking softwood cuttings, as well as grafting in the form of chip budding to successfully clone the tree and maintain exact copies. Seed will show minor variability, but the progeny will be largely in line with the parent tree.

The primary objective of the Newport Tree Conservancy’s Heritage Tree Center is to preserve Newport’s most significant and noble plants. This magnolia is the poster child for horticultural preservation, for when it goes, there is no replacement. The propagation of this tree is vital to maintain its special germplasm and keep the blooms coming in Newport.

Flower of Art Museum Magnolia (L) compared with the thinner tepals of ‘Waterlilly” (R)

Magnolia softwood propagation trials at NTC’s Heritage Tree Center

State of the Forest 2022

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2021 FINANCES Other Corporations 4% 6%

Earned Income 4%

Foundations 41%

Events 18%

Individuals 28%

Development 7%

Foundations

$187,222.00

Individuals

$129,186.00

Events

$81,867.00

Corporations

$27,498.00

Other

$16,850.00

Earned income

$16,700.00

TOTAL

$459,323.00

Facilities 4%

EXPENSES

Management 11%

Forestry 36% Operations 15% Education 27%

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INCOME

NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

Forestry

$162,910.00

Education

$122,180.00

Operations

$67,879.00

Management

$49,530.00

Development

$29,670.00

Facilities

$20,361.00

TOTAL

$452,530.00

2021 Arboretum Members:

Bellevue House Bonniecrest Broadlawns Clover Patch Frederick Law Olmsted Park & Arboretum Harbor House Hillside Maher-a-Lago Newport Mansions Arboretum Ocean View Pax-et-Bonum Peace Pocket Rose Island Salt Marsh Salve Regina University Somershome Stonybrook Toad Hall Villa Palona Walnut Point Weetamoe

NTC graciously thanks all of our generous members and supporters for calendar year 2021:

$25,000+ The 1772 Foundation Bartlett Tree Experts Prince Charitable Trusts van Beuren Charitable Foundation

$10,000 - $24,999 Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust Mary Coleman Virginia Decker EJMP Fund for Philanthropy The Gruben Charitable Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Maureen Cronin & Mark Marosits Lilly Dick Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund at Newport Hospital Bob Gerber & Veronica Rynn Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Hartfield Foundation Ann & Samuel Mencoff The Petrovas Family Philanthropy Fund Susan Ruf & Michael Walsh Dwight & Susan Sipprelle

$1,000 - $4,999 Aquidneck Land Trust Merritt Neighborhood Fund Dan & Dory Benson

Barbara Benson The Blue Garden Frances & Steve Booth Sandra & Grenville Craig Brittain & John Damgard Kurt & Alessandra Dolnier Bernard S. Gewirz Pamela Giannini Jean & Sid Gorham Matt & Anne Hamilton John D. Harris, II & Linda L. Sawyer Edward & Wendy Harvey Robert & Angela Healy Stefani Hulitar Island Foundation, Inc. Mike & Patricia Kidder Igor Kryca & Christina Gee Lisa Lewis & Bart Dunbar Edith McBean Stephanie McLennan Susan McNally & Doug Sabetti Robert & Carol O’Donnell Thomas Palmer & Dominique Alfandre Bettie & Jonathan Pardee Lisa & Paul Perrault Diana Prince Ginny & James Purviance Frank & Betsy Ray Kristin & Tyson Reed Ernst & Nancy Rothe State of the Forest 2022

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Sagecrest Mrs. Jay R. Schochet Sarah Schochet-Henken & Darrah O’Connor Paul & Carole Steinbrenner Meg and Don Steiner Charitable Fund Swinburne Row, LLC Happy van Beuren The Watkins-Burnham Fund The Weintz Family Harbor Lights Foundation Maureen Whitley & Jeff Singer

$500 - $999 Thomas & Ella Auchincloss Andrew & Priyanka Bobenski Bonniecrest Brigid Finn Fine Gardening Jane Carey Kate Chamberlain Duncan & Barbara Chapman Donald Christ & Jennifer Booth Mark Della Volpe Patrick Dolat Elizabeth & Emlen Drayton Edith Fletcher and Bob Cornett Alexander & Jennifer Gee Dana & Valarie Gelb George & Nannette Herrick Ted & Cheryl Huffman Edward & Katherine Karle 15

Pam Kelley Belinda Buck Kielland Katherine Kirk Karen Mahanke Robert & Heidi Manice Ward Marsh & Ingrid Henrichsen Juliette McLennan Jean Merritt Hertrich Constance Metcalf Sue & Peter Metzger C. Milinaire Cushing Newport Rotary Club Roderick O’Hanley & Richard Crisson Diana Pearson James Peterson & Katie Emmet Phoenix Property Management The Point Association of Newport Lisette Prince Pamela F. & Lawrence A. Quinn David Ray Realtors of William Raveis Real Estate Kim Robey Janet Robinson Lorna & Jeremiah Shafir Major General & Mrs. Stephen R. Seiter Elliot Stultz Target Julie Toland Kelly Vanicek

NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

Ray Wilson

$100 - $499 Leith Adams Brian & Deborah Arnold Margaret Arpin Mary Ellen Atkins & T.J. Brown John Aylward Melissa Bachelder D. Kim Bakarian-Gaynor & Paul Gaynor Blake & Donna Banky Holly Bannister Mary Catherine & Brian Bardorf Joan Beachnau Bellevue Wine & Spirits Nicholas Benson & Alexandra Flood Louisa Boatwright Richard & Barbara Bohan Martha Boyle Kate & Charles Brandeis Joan & Jim Breakell The Brennan Family Edith Brewster Richard & Nancy Brickley John & Elizabeth Brooks Eileen Brown David Brown Diana & Josiah Buntin Michael Burns & Livvy Dinneen Tim and Lorrie Burns

David & Mary Bush-Brown Ross & Leah Cann Richard & Maggie Carmichael Sally Casey Sam & Pat Chase Jonna Chewning George & Elisabeth Clark Kelley & Christopher Coen Jane Colby Terry & Stephen Conlon Robert Cowley & Didi Lorillard Norey Cullen Dr. Gary Cummins Rob Currier The Damon Company Steven Deery Matthew & Ramona Delaney Diana & Peter DiBari Maisie Dick Norah Diedrich Gerard DiRuggiero Amy Dorkin Paul & Liz Doucette Pierre duPont Irving & Kathy Irving Susan Dye Alice Ellovich Dr. Christopher Erstling Robert Evans & Nancy Cushing Evans Casey & Larry Farley Mohamad & Dorienne Farzan

Linda & John Finn Angela Fischer & Dr. Edwin Fischer, Sr. Ronald Lee Fleming Pamela & Ronald Fleming Marie, Dan, Emily & Jake Force John French, II & Jae French Jo Eva Gaines Kristie & Glenn Gardiner Jim & Dotti Garman A.L. Garrison & T.W. Emmett Rachael Gillson Pam Gilpin Pamela Giroux Warren & Linda Gray Audrey Grimes Jessica Hagen Joseph & Jane Hall June Halliday-Holden Jacqueline Hanson Peter Harty Michael & Mary Hayes Patrick Hayes Rick & Phyllis Higgerson John & Mary Hirschboeck Allan Hodges Kala Horvitz Mary Jennings Jessica Hagen Fine Art & Design Deborah Kelsey & Kevin Kelley Denise Lawson

Chad Loebs Lorie Loughborough John & Patricia Lynch Ron & Kati Machtley Darcy Magratten James Maguire Joan Mason Mastercard James May & Patricia Sweeny May Puffy & Bob Meikle Victoria & Joseph Mele Michael Hayes Co. Moeschler-Serafin Family Carlotta Morris Jeremiah Morrison Mark Muetterties, MD & Jacqueline Colbert Arthur Murphy Michael Murphy Michael & Paula Murray Newport Garden Club Lynn & Andrew Nicoletta Jan Nisbet Sarah Nolan Edna O’Connell Rosaleen O’Sullivan Rochelle Ohrstrom David Parke & Sue (Healy) Parke Christopher & Janet Pell Thomas Perrotti

Jane & Steve Perry Brooke Pinault Susan & Jon Powers James Quiggle Ann & Peter Randall William & Joan Rauch Christa Reise Peter & Betsy Rice John & Peggy Richmond Barbara & Brooke Roberts Luther Roberts Marie Robinson Jim & Alice Ross Bayard & Pamela Russell Salesforce Turner Scott & Kathy Pratt Bill & Mary Sizeland Devin & Carol Skelly Christie & Ed Smith David & Deborah Smith Bill & Judy Souza William & Elaine Souza Marjorie Spencer Diana & Paul Szapary Susan Taylor Lydia Biddle Thomas Donald Tofias & Joanne O’Dwyer George Tollefson Gary & Geraldine Vitale Robert Walker

Kathleen S & Kathleen Wallace Roger & Eileen Warburton Mary brown Warburton Judith Webb Jay & Kathy Weibel Diane Wilsey

Up to $99 Charles Allott & Ellen Nichols Deanna Amorello Jan Armor James Baker Joseph Bardenheier Sandra & David Barnes Susan Barnes Taisiya Battelle James Behan Catherine Berluti & Katie Mahoney Lloyd & Lisa Berntsen William Boiani Dennis Bristow Sharon, Cathy & Steve Brown Judith Buxbaum Judy Byrnes Emily Cairns John & Sheryl Callaghan Drew Carey Charles & Toni Ciany Kerry & Justin Clougher Jean Conway

State of the Forest 2022

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Everett & Carol Correia Cormac Cunningham Cynthia Cunningham Mary Currier Jeff & Ginny Curtis Betsy de Leiris Donald Deluca Lore Denver-Basil Kathy & Bill Dickenson Paul Dolan Robert & Judith Dudek Roger & Mary Dufour Dr. & J. Richard Durnan Kathryn Farrington Sharon & Adrian Flatgard Kathy Foulke Mary Clare Garcia E. Ann Gizzi Patricia Gleason-Claydon & James Gleason Darius & Gale Goff Gooseberry Beach, Inc. Isabel Griffith Terry & Richard Grosvenor June Halliday Holden Kevin Harrington Beth Herman Mike & Carrie Hill Andrea Hollis & Bob Rotondo Robert & Denise Johnson 17

Jacquelyn Kanis & Alan Santos Barbara Kathe Winkle Kelley Rebecca Kelly & Rupert Nesbitt Margaret & Timothy Kelly Margaret Kimmett Gordon & Karen King Roger King Jr. & Sandra King Andrea Kramer Yvonne & Gary Lash Tom, Peg & Marie Leary Bruce & Marilyn Leish Allison Lentino William Leys Dennis & Susan McCoy The McDermott Family Kathleen & Larry McGowan Elizabeth McStay Charles Miller & Birch Coffey Claudia & Jay Miranda Judith Moore Kathleen Myers Ilse Nesbitt Naomi Neville & Jeff Rothermel Leonard & Marianne Nihan Patricia O’Donnell Patricia Olechnowicz Linda Oliver Hughes & John Hughes Susan Olson Silvia Osborn

NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY

Madeleine Panaggio Kathleen Papp Barbara Parent Lauren Parmelee Nancy Parsons T.J. Perrotti Jackie Pickett Mark Quinn Elizabeth Reynolds Paul Runci Bettie Sarantos Crystal Sargent Brian Shanley & Susan Walsh Adrienne & Eric Shaw Mark Simmons Anne Spelman Dennis Sullivan Jody & William Sullivan Libby & Michael Toppa Robert Vitello & Barbara Winkler Barnabas & Marnie Webster Erin Weibel Margaret Winters

Gifts in Memory of: Lori Ann Barile Anonymous Timothy J. Brown Mary Ellen Atkins & T.J. Brown

John Aylward James Behan Catherine Berluti & Katie Mahoney Martha Boyle Raleigh Brennan Sharon Brown Tim and Lorrie Burns Judith Buxbaum Emily Cairns Donald Christ & Jennifer Booth Kerry & Justin Clougher Jane Colby Everett & Carol Correia Rob Currier Jeff & Ginny Curtis Betsy de Leiris The Damon Company Virginia Decker Steven Deery Kathy & Bill Dickenson Roger & Mary Dufour Mrs. Angela Fischer & Dr. Edwin Fischer, Sr. Dan & Marie Force Kristie & Glenn Gardiner Rachael Gillson Pam Gilpin E. Ann Gizzi Patricia Gleason-Claydon & James Gleason

Gooseberry Beach, Inc. Jean & Sid Gorham Jacqueline Hanson Patrick Hayes Mike & Carrie Hill Island Foundation Robert & Denise Johnson Jacquelyn Kanis & Alan Santos Winkle Kelley Margaret Kimmett Denise Lawson Margaret & Tom Leary John & Patricia Lynch James Maguire The McDermott Family Kathleen & Larry McGowan Puffy & Bob Meikle Claudia & Jay Miranda Emily Moeschler Judith Moore Carlotta Morris Jeremiah Morrison Mr. Arthur Murphy Kathleen Myers Jan Nisbet Edna O’Connell Rosaleen O’Sullivan Patricia Olechnowicz Mrs. Bettie & Mr. Jonathan Pardee David Parke & Sue (Healy) Parke

Diana Pearson Thomas Perrotti Jane & Steve Perry Brooke Pinault Elizabeth Reynolds Peter & Betsy Rice Luther Roberts Bill & Mary Sizeland Bill & Judy Souza Dennis Sullivan George Tollefson Barnabas & Marnie Webster Erin Weibel Jay & Kathy Weibel Margaret Winters Edward A. Cunningham, Jr Cormac Cunningham Mrs. Marion “Oatsie” Charles Stephanie McLennan Lori Merritt Jean Merritt Hertrich J Q Murphy Michael Murphy George O’Hara Kathy Foulke Gardiner L. Sherman Peter Rice Regina Slezak The Newport Rotary Club

Thank you to all of our community partners!

Aquidneck Land Trust Bike Newport Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Friends of King Park Island Cemetery Miantonomi Park Commission Newport Garden Club Newport Health Equity Zone Newport Open Space Partnership Newport Public Schools Newport Restoration Foundation Newport Tree and Open Space Commission Redwood Library & Athenæum RI Department of Environmental Management Rhode Island Environmental Education Association Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association Rhode Island Tree Council Salve Regina University The Blue Garden The Met School The Newport Project University of Rhode Island Biocontrol Lab State of the Forest 2022

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PO Box 863 Newport, RI 02840

(401) 324-9204 NewportTree.org