(Wheaton, Ill.)– Cycling more than 550 miles through Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, riders in the 2008 Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) Tour des Trees planted trees in towns along their eco-friendly ride to raise money for research and scholarships to benefit tree care and increase awareness of the importance of maintaining the health of community forests and urban trees.
"Research has shown that healthy, mature trees significantly reduce energy consumption, encourage wildlife and improve our quality of life, said Janet Bornancin, TREE Fund executive director. "Research is still needed to find better ways to maintain mature and newly planted urban trees and prevent damage from pests and disease."
The TREE Fund Tour des Trees is America's largest fundraising event to improve the care of trees through research and education, raising over $3 million since it began in 1992. Riders of all ages and abilities raised a total of $287,500 during this year's tour.
Steven Asplundh, of TREE Fund partner the Asplundh Tree Expert Company, has personally participated in each of the last three Tours. "From the sponsors and the TREE Fund staff, to the support volunteers and the riders, many people are needed to make this fundraiser the success that it is. It's good to know that the research grants funded by these events lead to greater knowledge, safety and professionalism in our industry."
"In our eight years as a sponsor, we have seen the Tour des Trees grow as the world becomes more involved in environmental concerns," said Anita Gambill, representative for TREE Fund partner STIHL Inc., which develops low-emission engine technologies for its outdoor power equipment, so people who care for trees every day can be sure their tools support their environmental concerns. "We at STIHL are proud to do our part in furthering the work of the TREE Fund."
Good tree care includes helping to avoid problems with trees and fix them when they arise. TREE Fund partner Duke Energy is on board with that. "We are proud to be a sponsor of an organization which educates customers on "Right Tree-Right Place," said Bloomington business relations manager Steve Bahr. "Trees are often linked with power outages and it's important to know the safety hazards of trees and power lines."
The TREE Fund Tour des Trees began July 21st in Indianapolis, Ind. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500. The day ended nearly 100 miles later in Bloomington, and from there, riders traveled through Indiana with stops in Vincennes and New Harmony and then on to Carbondale, Ill. They completed their trek at the International Society of Arboriculture's Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo. on July 26.
Sponsors for the 2008 TREE Fund Tour des Trees include the Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Duke Energy, STIHL, and the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company. Regional sponsors include Wright Tree Service headquartered in Iowa.
About the TREE Fund:
The TREE Fund's mission is to identify and fund projects and programs that advance knowledge in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry to benefit people, trees, and the environment. The TREE Fund has supported research that has led to important developments in:
- Understanding air pollution reduction and carbon sequestration by trees
- Determining the costs and benefits of urban trees
- Improving conditions for tree growth in difficult sites
- Strategies to manage diseases and pests that affect urban trees
For more information, please visit http://www.tourdestrees.org/.
