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Rhode Island’s

Most Important Forests

2021 RI Forest Conservation Act�

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• RI forest values and the need to conserve forests was established in State Law

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• Created a 11 member Forest Conservation Commission

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Forest Conservation Commission Members

• Cassie Tharinger: Urban Forestry
• Christopher Riley: Forester
• Dave Caldwell: Open Member, RI Builders Association
• David Gregg: Forest Habitat
• Scott Ruhren: Environmental Organization
• Kate Sayles, Vice Chair: Land Preservation
• Marc Tremblay: Forest Landowners (RIFCO)
• Robert Thurber: Forest Products Industry
• Scott Millar, Chair: Land Use
• Tee Jay Boudreau: RI DEM

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Forest Conservation Commission�Charged To:

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Define the most important forest land �

Forest Conservation Act Definition of Forest

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"Forest land" means any tract or contiguous tracts of land, ten (10) acres or larger bearing a dense growth of trees, including any underbrush, and having either the quality of self-perpetuation, or being dependent upon its development by the planting and replanting of trees in stands of closely growing timber.

RI Forest Land

• RI 56% Forested

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• 368,000 Forest Acres

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• 70% Unprotected

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Criteria for Most Important Forests

• clean air
• clean water
• economic importance
• climate change mitigation
• habitat
• human health and well-being�

Proposed Most Important Forest Types

1. Core Forest
2. Old Growth and Old Growth Forest Characteristics
3. Most Productive Forest Soils
4. Forest to Protect Drinking Water Supplies
5. RI Natural Heritage Rare Forest Types
6. Urban Forest

URBAN FOREST AREA IN RHODE ISLAND

How will the definition be used?

Forest Conservation Commission is not promoting any particular use

Potential uses include:

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• Criteria for ranking forest parcels to purchase
• Guidance for municipal land use decisions

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