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P. Allen Smith Rides in the Tour des Trees
KSBW News Coverage |
July 30 , 2008 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:
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NEWS RELEASE May 9, 2008 Cyclists from all over the North America and beyond are gearing up for the 2008 Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) Tour des Trees. They will be riding to share the message of proper tree care during their 500-plus-mile bike ride through Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri, raising public awareness along the way to support healthy community forests and urban trees. The TREE Fund Tour des Trees (www.tourdestrees.org) 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. Each rider raises a minimum of $3,500 to participate in the full tour. Every mile the cyclists ride raises revenue to benefit the TREE Fund and supports The six-day TREE Fund Tour des Trees starts Monday, July 21st in Indianapolis, IN with a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500 race. Then it’s off to Bloomington where the cyclists will complete their day with a lap around the Little 500 track made famous in the movie “Breaking Away”. From there they will travel through southwestern Indiana with stops scheduled in Vincennes and New Harmony. The participants will continue on to Carbondale, IL and complete their trek at the International Society of Arboriculture’s Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO on Saturday, July 26th. Janet Bornancin, Executive Director for the TREE Fund, explains that, “The Tour des Trees raises much needed funds for tree care research. Our unique focus on urban tree research makes us relevant to just about everyone since 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban centers. Research has shown that healthy mature trees significantly improve air quality, reduce energy consumption, encourage wildlife and improve our quality of life. But research is still needed to find better ways to maintain mature urban trees as well as newly planted ones, and prevent damage from pests and diseases.” For 17 years the TREE Fund has brought riders of all ages and abilities together for a common cause: to raise money for tree research and to educate the public. Jim Zwack, a four-Tour veteran and member of the TREE Fund Board, describes the Tour ‘vibe’ in this way: “The Tour des Trees is a perfect complement to the work of the TREE Fund. We raise money and awareness for the benefit of trees and the importance of tree research by using efficient, non-polluting vehicles. I am sure the vibrancy of the Tour and camaraderie among the riders comes at least in part from this harmony. The Tour is a special week for everyone involved.” Major sponsors for the 2008 TREE Fund Tour des Trees include the national corporations of Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Duke Energy, STIHL Inc., and the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company. Regional sponsors include Wright Tree Service headquartered in Iowa. 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 developments in: • Understanding air pollution reduction and carbon sequestration by trees As a non-profit, non-government organization, the TREE Fund relies on donations from the public to fund its educational activities, research grants and scholarships. Taxdeductible donations can be mailed to the TREE Fund, 711 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 or made online at www.treefund.org where you can also find more information about the organization. To make a donation on behalf of a rider, please visit www.tourdestrees.org or contact the TREE Fund office at the address listed above. ### Event stops for the 2008 TREE Fund Tour des Trees:
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