Who wants to ride 500 miles on a bike to raise money for tree research and education?

I do, actually!  This October my bike and I are off to Virginia to ride the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees to benefit the TREE Fund.  I’ve signed up to ride 500 miles in a week and raise $3500 for the TREE Fund because I believe that the research and education this ride supports are critical to the well-being of our communities and everyone who inhabits them.

Why should you care?  Can you see a tree from your home or office window?  The trees in our communities are vital to our survival.  They reduce air pollution, sequester carbon, control erosion, shelter us from heat and wind, and add beauty to our lives.  They give us respite from the stressors of our daily lives, and I need you to help me return the favor. 

Urban living is stressful for trees.  Pests, diseases, construction, pollution, and poor management put our “urban forests” at risk every day.  The research and education funded by the TREE Fund through the Tour des Trees helps to ensure that tree care professionals can keep up with the problems faced by urban trees.

So, do you want to ride 500 miles with me for tree research and education?  Here’s another option: would you or your organization donate $50, $100 (or whatever you can afford) to my campaign, and I’ll do the riding?  Donations are 100% tax deductible.  I would really appreciate your support and the trees will appreciate it too!

Here’s a link to my fundraising : http://www.active.com/donate/STIHLTourdesTrees11/STIHLTT11KGilmou
 

For more information about the TREE Fund or the STIHL Tour des Trees, visit www.treefund.org or www.stihltourdestrees.org.

Thank you!

Kathy Gilmour

To learn more about the Tour des Trees ride, please visit: <http://stihltourdestrees.org/>