Public gardens have the capacity to have a positive influence on their community though interactions with their guests. The Energy-Saving Trees Program offers a platform for gardens to provide service to their communities by offering free trees, which help lower homeowners’ utility bills, enrich the community, and bring conscious, local stewardship that delivers global results. Emphasis will be placed on Rhode Island’s partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, and how this giveaway program can be replicated on the public-garden level, for positive community outreach and involvement.

Presenter: T.A. Boudreau, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Providence, Rhode Island.