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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: September 21, 2001
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

WALK IN THE WOODS WITH FORESTERS
Annual Forestry Program Will Be Held on October 10

PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (RISAF) and the Department of Environmental Management have announced their ninth annual "Walk in the Forest" program and invite school classes and the general public to participate. The program is designed to educate the public about the benefits of healthy forests and how foresters care for them.

"The 'Walk in the Forest' program is scheduled in the fall because it is such a beautiful time to be in the woods," said DEM supervising forester Paul Dolan, education coordinator of RISAF. Foresters will lead small groups through the woods on hour-long tours, and explain what participants see around them. "Rhode Islanders are interested in learning about their environmental surroundings," Dolan said. "With 55 percent of Rhode Island covered by forests," he added, "this educational program has always drawn a good response."

This year's walks will be held on Wednesday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln and will begin at the Zachariah Allen Silvicultural Plot sign. Zachariah Allen (1795-1882) was an author, lawyer, medical doctor, town councilman, historian, social reformer, brilliant inventor and scientist. In 1820, at the age of 25, he put into practice his theory that "vacant land may profitably be improved by planting to trees," when he planted 40 acres of barren pastureland with acorns and chestnuts. This woodland was the first attempt within the United States at what foresters call silviculture, defined as applied forest ecology - the theory and practice of controlling the establishment, composition and growth of forests.

School groups must make reservations by Friday, October 5. The general public should come at the top of the hours to be included in school tours or with a special group for adults. To make reservations or ask questions, contact Dolan at 647-3367 or RISAF chairman Thomas Abbott at 539-2356.

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