For Immediate Release: July 9, 2008
Media Contact: Lesley McLaughlin, Program Coordinator
401-724-2200
Tourism Council Teams with Northern Rhode Island Conservation
District to Support Environment
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC) is
joining forces with the Northern Rhode Island Conservation
District (NRICD) in helping to support the NRICD Tree Planting
Program in getting visitors to the Blackstone River Valley to
donate money to benefit tree planting activities.
Donation boxes will be set up through the
Northern Rhode Island area at area merchants and visitor centers
where people can drop off their cash donations.
The donations being requested will help fund
tree plantings based upon the following guidelines:
Visitor Distance Traveled Number of Trees
Suggested Donation
-
Over 4000 miles funds 6 trees $10.00
-
Over 3000 miles funds 5 trees $ 8.00
-
Over 2000 miles funds 4 trees $ 6.00
-
Over 1000 miles funds 3 trees $ 5.00
-
Over 500 miles funds 2 trees $ 2.00
-
Less than 500 miles funds 1 tree $ 1.00
"As an agency that has adopted world guidelines
for sustainable tourism development, the BVTC feels that it's
important for travelers and visitors to help preserve the
environment and to offset the carbon footprint by supporting
efforts to help the NRICD in their ongoing tree planting and
conservation efforts," said Ms. Lesley McLaughlin, BVTC Program
Coordinator.
We at the NRICD have always admired the
emphasis that the BVTC has placed on the value of natural
resources and connecting people to opportunities to interact
with those resources through programs like the Explorer
riverboat on the Blackstone River. We will partner with the BVTC
to help reduce the carbon footprint of our communities by using
the funds collected through this donation program to provide
free tree seedlings for children to plant in the community
through school and scout programs," said Gina DeMarco, NRICD
District Manager.
Both agencies noted the value of the tree
planting program in helping youngsters learn about how natural
resources and protecting the environment affect their quality of
life for themselves and future generations and giving children a
better appreciation for preserving their sense of place.
Anyone interested in making cash donations for
the NRICD tree planting, or to participate as a cash donation
drop off point, should call the BVTC at 401-724-22
