Rhode Island Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Joseph Ventetuolo Recreational Complex, Brayton Avenue, Cranston, also known as Brayton Avenue Park. The celebration will start at 11:00 am with welcoming remarks from Cranston's Mayor Ken Hopkins, and the Honorable Jack Reed, United States Senator. The Honorable Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island, will read the official Rhode Island Arbor Day Proclamation. The public is invited to this free event.

Other activities will follow: They include poetry readings, tree plantings, and an awards ceremony. The poems will highlight the benefits of trees and will be performed by students from Oakland Elementary School. Also, the National Arbor Day Foundation will honor thirteen Rhode Island municipalities and two colleges for their commitment to urban forestry.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Terry Gray will present the awards. Capping the day's event will be the traditional Tree Planting Ceremony. RI Tree will plant seven saplings-sugar maple, red maple, and Western arborvitae to beautify the park.

Arbor Day is the ‘tree holiday’ celebrated in the United States, and it recognizes the importance of trees. Rhode Island has a long and proud tradition of commemorating Arbor Day dating back to 1887. This year's event will mark the 137th Anniversary of Rhode Island Arbor Day.

The Rhode Island Tree Council has had a leading role in organizing the Rhode Island Arbor Day Program since 1998. The Tree Council has had the help of several key partners this year without which this annual endeavor would not have been possible. We appreciate and acknowledge their generous support. They are the United States Forest Service, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Rhode Island Energy Company.

The Rhode Island Tree Council is a tax-exempt, non-profit group dedicated to improving the state's tree resources and educating the public on the benefits of trees. Composed of members, consultants, and volunteers, RITree administers its programs through its Board of Directors, Advisors, and Trustees. The group’s mission is to create healthy urban and community forests that underpin the state’s verdant ecological tapestry, support its vibrant economy, and enrich its residents’ lives. Membership is open to all.