PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The secretary of the U.S. Interior Department will tour Rhode Island -- in part by kayak -- to highlight the economic benefits of conserving public lands.
Sally Jewell is scheduled to visit the state on Friday ahead of its celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced the visit Tuesday.
The Rhode Island Democrat says he and Jewell will tour parks, trails and waterways and discuss his legislation, which would create a new national historical park within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Reed says the designation would bring important economic, environmental and cultural benefits to Rhode Island.
National Trails Day aims to promote the 200,000 miles of trails throughout the U.S.