Media & Press Office » Press Release
January 4, 2010
Press Inquiries: Kate Davis (757) 232-2526
All other inquiries: Mary DiCarlo (630) 369-8300
America’s Largest Fundraiser for Tree Research Kicks Off in Millennium Park July 18
Rolling Stone keyboardist and 70 cyclists at the STIHL Tour des Trees Launch Ceremony
WHAT: On Sunday, July 18 at 10 a.m., America’s largest fundraiser for tree research, the STIHL Tour des Trees begins its weeklong, 500-mile cross-country cycling event to raise money and awareness for tree research.
This year’s “Chicago Loop Tour” launches from the city’s Millennium Park with:
- A performance by Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones
- A live broadcast of “The Mike Nowak Show” sponsored by The Davey Tree Expert Company and The Care of Trees on WCPT radio
- Music and activities for all ages in the Family Fun Tent
- Children’s storytelling by Leavell, who authored the children’s book “The Tree Farmer”
- Naperville native Heidi Coking reading “Welcome, Spring!” a Treetures book by Judith Blau
WHO: Approximately 70 cyclists from around the world will ride to benefit the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund, an international charitable organization dedicated to advancing the science of tree care to benefit people, trees and the environment. Since its inception in 1992, the Tour has generated more than $4.4 million for research, scholarships and education and has funded a host of diverse projects related to urban forestry.
WHEN: Sunday, July 18
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Riders depart at 10:00)
WHERE: Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
The park is located in the heart of Chicago, bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the north, and Monroe Street to the south.
SPONSORS: Sponsors of the 2010 STIHL Tour des Trees include Title Sponsor STIHL Inc.,
Crown Sponsor Bartlett Tree Experts, TREE Fund Partners Asplundh Tree Expert Co. and KASK America, Educational Programming Sponsor The Davey Tree Expert Company, Gold Leaf Sponsors Ameren, Rainbow Tree Care Scientific Advancements and Wright Tree Service, Inc., and Silver Leaf Sponsors Arizona Public Service, Bee¹, Collier Arbor Care, ComEd, Gamma Tree Experts, ITC Holdings Corp., Lewis Tree Service, National Grid, Navistar, The Care of Trees, UUSCO and West Coast Arborists.
MORE INFO: Visit www.stihltourdestrees.org or contact Kate Davis at 757-232-2526 cell
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
• Quantifying the costs and benefits of urban trees
• Improving conditions for tree growth in difficult sites
• Implementation of strategies to manage diseases and pests that affect urban trees
For more information, visit www.treefund.org.
About STIHL Inc.:
STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America for homeowners and professional landscapers*, as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the world. 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 a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the dealer locator on the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com .
*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.
STIHL is pleased to support the work of the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), 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).
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