Rhode Island

Over the past forty years, forestlands have been decreasing in Rhode Island. Effective management of our forest resources affects many factors considered critical to a high quality environment and is, therefore, central to the continued well-being of all Rhode Islanders. A consistent course of comprehensive planning, identifying and implementing management priorities, is crucial to the sustainability of the forests and their continued ability to meet the many demands placed upon them, and to provide the benefits we derive from them.

As Rhode Island’s role as both a consumer and producer in the global economy increases, it is important to retain vigorous surveillance and response capabilities to control incipient outbreaks of threats to the health of the state’s forests.  A major concern today comes from introduced or exotic pests from imported goods exchanged in the modern global economy. The use of chemicals has become the last in a line of defense against insects and disease. Preferred methods include education, Integrated Pest Management, silvicultural and biological controls.

Maintaining healthy forests in watersheds is the most effective means to ensure high water quality; it is also cheaper than water treatment. Since a major threat to the Rhode Island water supply sources can be improperly sited development, a key strategy over the years has been to protect, through public or water supplier control, as much of the land immediately adjacent to water supply reservoirs as feasible.