Rominger Unveils Millennium Grove Plan
                                                               
                                           Release No.  0082.00
                                                               
                                                               
                                    Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                          susan.mcavoy@usda.gov


ROMINGER UNVEILS MILLENNIUM GROVE PLAN

     WASHINGTON, March 15, 2000 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Richard E.
Rominger today unveiled the design for a Millennium Grove of 100 historic
trees to be planted in the nation's capital.

     This first millennium grove fulfills a promise made last year by
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to establish these historical groves, in
the Capitols of each state and U.S. territory,  as symbols of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's commitment to the urban re-greening of America.

     "This grove will stand as a lasting reminder of our nation's rich urban
forestry tradition and as a renewed commitment to urban regreening in the 21st
Century," Glickman said.  

     The Millenium Groves initiative, run by USDA's Forest Service and its
Urban and Community Forestry program, provides more than $30 million in grants
and technical assistance annually to local governments, grass roots
organizations, community groups, and associations for the restoration of urban
green infrastructure.  Currently, the Administration is asking Congress to
provide permanent funding for this important program.

     The Washington, D.C., grove will be sited at historic Fort Stanton Park,
in the Anacostia neighborhood.  The groves are being designed by the American
Society of Landscape Architects and the trees are being purchased by USDA from
American Forest's collection of famous and historic trees.

     To date 35 other states and territories are planning millennium groves. 
The project is a key part of the Millennium Green effort of the White House
Millennium Council.

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