Dear Friends,

Sometimes you need a goal to get you motivated. I always have loved cycling, but finding time to get out on my bike for long rides in all kinds of weather can often lead to procrastination. So, I solved that problem by setting a very challenging goal for myself. This September I will join a group of 80 cyclists from all over the country who are raising money to benefit the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE Fund) by riding their bikes along a 450-mile, 5-day route from Stamford, Connecticut to Providence, RI. The ride is called “The Tour des Trees”, and although most of the riders are professionally connected in some way to Arboriculture, many others, like myself, are not. What we all share is a love of trees. Getting in shape for the ride involves a lot of time, work, and perseverance. My training is going really great so far, but I have just hit a roadblock. In order to participate each rider must raise a minimum of $3700, and many riders raise a good deal more than that. And that is why I am writing to you today to ask for your help.

Please consider a gift to fund research in Arboriculture, the branch of Science that focuses on making trees grow in the inhospitable environment that surrounds our cities and towns. Trees are being forced to adapt to a rapidly changing climate that ratchets up the heat and plays havoc with droughts and floods. They also face species-wide extinction resulting from the introduction of non-native insects and newly evolved diseases. Help me provide arborists with the tools, techniques, and knowledge they need to help trees face these overwhelming challenges by contributing to the TREE Fund today.

You can follow the progress of my ride by connecting with the Tour des Trees website, which will post updates daily starting when the Tour begins on Sept. 22. By contributing you will become a member of the Tour des Trees “Tree Family”, the most spirited and supportive group of cyclists you will have the pleasure of knowing.

Forever grateful,

Linda