HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

In 1907, Providence Rhode Island was the site of about 50, 000 street trees. Seventy three years later, a street tree inventory recorded a population of 22,320 trees.  In an urban environment, street trees must be replanted to compensate for loss from age, disease and structural defects or the population declines.  Replanting takes a dedicated and experienced staff, money for trees and equipment at the very least. 
PNPP was established in 1988 as a means of providing a consistent match of Providence Parks Department funds for the continued planting of street trees in Providence at a grassroots level.  Since then, PNPP has co-funded the planting of nearly 7000 street trees through the efforts of over 620 neighborhood groups. 

This effort has helped Providence to bridge the deficit of tree plantings.  A 2006 Street Tree Tally found 25,000 street trees in Providence, a population consisting of 95 different species.

How we operate:
The PNPP receives income support from the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Endowment (MESSTE) paying for half the tree costs, program supplies, and the Director’s salary.  The City pays the other half of the tree purchase and infrastructure.  The City Forester and Tree Resource Manager make all arrangements for purchase and delivery of trees, while the PNPP Director informs the public about the program, makes all arrangements with neighborhood participants in spring and fall planting weeks and manages PNPP office operations. 
Each spring and fall, PNPP plants an average of 400 to 450 trees per year.

Groundwork Providence has been PNPP's fiscal agent for over a decade and is a 501 c (3) non profit organization.

As a public private partnership, the PNPP management team represents both the Providence Parks Department and the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Endowment.

The PNPP team:

Liz Downing, Director of PNPP

Fraser Gilbane, PNPP volunteer extrordinaire

Tim More, Advisor to Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Endowment

Tom Morra, Providence Tree Resource Manager and Tree Inspector

Peggy Sharpe, Advisor to Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Endowment

Douglas Still, Providence City Forester