Media & Press Office » Press Release
July 19 , 2009
Press Inquiries: Kate Davis 757.340.7425
All other inquiries: Mary DiCarlo 630.369.8300
America’s Largest Fundraiser for Tree Research Comes to Westchester Community College
The STIHL Tour des Trees arrives at the Native Plant Center on Sunday July 19
WHAT: On Sunday, July 19, the STIHL Tour des Trees arrives at Westchester Community College’s Native Plant Center in Valhalla, N.Y. America’s largest fundraiser for tree research, the STIHL Tour des Trees is a weeklong, 500-mile cross-country cycling event that travels throughout the United States to raise awareness for the need for tree research.
The following activities are scheduled and cyclists on the Tour will be available for interviews and photos.
- Tree Planting Ceremony sponsored by the New York State Arborists
- Educational fun for children and adults, sponsored by Davey Tree
- Public Garden Tours
- STIHL Product Demos
WHO: Approximately 70 cyclists ride to benefit the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund, an international charitable organization dedicated to advancing knowledge in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry to benefit people, trees and the environment. Since its inception in 1992, the Tour has generated more than $4.1 million and has funded a host of diverse projects.
WHEN: Sunday, July 19. Riders arrive at 12:30 PM
WHERE: The Native Plant Center, Westchester Community College. 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
The Native Plant Center was established in 1998 under the auspices of the Westchester
Community College Foundation, and soon became the first national affiliate of the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. The mission of The Native Plant Center is to educate the community about the environmental necessity, economic value and natural beauty of native plants in the Northeast.
MORE INFO: Visit www.stihltourdestrees.org or contact Kate Davis at 757-232-2526
SPONSORS: Corporate sponsorships for the Tour offset the cost of food, housing and logistics along the Tour route. The sponsors of the 2009 event include title sponsor STIHL Inc., crown sponsor National Grid, partners Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Duke Energy, Bartlett Tree Experts and Northeast STIHL, and platinum sponsor The Davey Tree Expert Co.
About the TREE Fund:
The TREE Fund has supported research that has led to important developments in:
• Understanding the role of urban trees in reducing greenhouse gases
• Determining the costs and benefits of trees in our communities
• Improving conditions for tree growth in difficult sites
• Strategies to manage diseases and pests that affect urban trees
The TREE Fund also promotes education in the field of arboriculture through scholarships and grants. For more information, visit www.treefund.org.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
STIHL is also pleased to support the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).
About National Grid:
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). For more information visit: www.nationalgrid.com.
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