Recent Updates
Update: Million TreesNYC Training Progra...
Since 2009, the New York City Parks & Recreation Department in collaboration with the TREE Fund and our partners have provided hands-on job training in tree and plant care to underemployed or disenfranchised city youth. By utilizing NYC parks, expert trainers from TREE Fund partners STIHL Inc., Bartlett Tree Experts, Asplundh Tree Expert Co., and The Davey Tree Expert Company provide 7 months of applied education designed to teach and motivate young adults to become more aware and proactive in the wellness of the environment and provide intensive training in Arboriculture or Ecological Restoration tracks. 2011 saw its second class of MTTP graduates complete the program and 9 additional arboriculture trainees are on track to graduate in April 2012. For more information about the program, check out the Winter 2012 TREE Fund Report.
A novel way of measuring tree vitality i...
A standard practice currently used to determine the health and vitality of trees is to measure chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves that are fully exposed to the sun which are difficult to access in mature trees.
Dr. Johnstone’s study tests a novel method of measuring chlorophyll fluorescence in bark with the goal of gathering comparable data allowing for the prediction of tree health and vitality to be a quicker and more objective process. Findings collected in summer 2011 are already making the complexities of photosynthesis and measurement of vitality in urban trees apparent and have been submitted as an abstract for the 2012 ISA conference and trade show. Data collection on the project will continue through summer 2012 and following analysis, will be submitted as an abstract for the 2013 ISA Conference.
TREE Fund Liaison awarded NYSA President...
Congratulations to our TREE Fund Liaison to the New York Chapter of ISA, Frazer Pehmoeller! Frazer was presented with the New York State Arborists’ President’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Volunteer at the NYSA annual luncheon on January 16. We agree! Frazer has raised more than $20,000 for the TREE Fund as a cyclist on the STIHL Tour des Trees, capturing the #1 fundraiser title as a first-time participant in 2009. Thank you for all that you do for the TREE Fund, Frazer!
Welcome back KASK!...
KASK Helmets also has renewed their partnership with the TREE Fund for the 3rd year in a row! KASK specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality cycling, ski, climbing, rescue and work safety helmets and has committed to providing custom cycling helmets for each of our 2012 STIHL Tour des Trees riders.
MillionTreesNYC Training Program 2011...
 |
Since its inception in 2009 The MillionTreesNYC Training Program has offered underemployed young adults in New York City a path out of poverty through hands-on job training in arboriculture and related “green” careers. The program, facilitated by the TREE Fund and offered through the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation, is supported by TREE Fund partners STIHL, Asplundh Tree Experts, The Davey Tree Expert Company and Bartlett Tree Experts. Pictured here are student climbers (L-R) Melissa Jarvis, Tiquan Hamilton and Lawrence Paige and their trainer Steve Nagy from Davey Tree. Watch for a full story about the program in our first-quarter TREE Fund report. |
Help us reach our goal!...
And the current fundraising total is…$499,336.04. Thank you to The Davey Tree Expert Co. and the Western Chapter of ISA for matching their employee/member donations to the 2011 Tour! Who’s going to push this fundraiser over its final summit?
The 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees Fundraisin...
The VA2DC Tour has raised $495,301 as of this morning. Our goal is to reach $500,000 by December 31. It’s within reach! Visit the STIHL Tour des Trees home page at Active.com for up-to-date fundraising totals. http://www.active.com/donate/STIHLTourdesTrees11
The TREE Fund Welcomes New Tour des Tree...
The TREE Fund welcomes Forestry Equipment of Virginia (FEVA) as a Bronze Leaf sponsor of the 2012 Tour des Trees! Thank you, FEVA for your support; our sponsors make the Tour possible. We welcome this new partnership and are looking forward to cycling Oregon in 2012!
In Tune with Trees...
Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and champion of trees everywhere was recently featured in a Chicago Tribune article highlighting his Charlane Plantation Lodge in Bullard GA. Nationally recognized as a conservationist and family tree farmer, Leavell takes pride in being environmentally conscious and providing an ideal destination for people who love nature and the outdoors. Learn more about TREE Fund supporter Chuck Leavell and the Charlane Plantation lodge in the article below:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-1122-georgia-eco-stay-20111122,0,1877456.story
The Tree Fund is Pleased to Announce the...
67 riders accepted the STIHL Tour des Trees challenge this year, cycling as many as 500 miles each and raising a record $479,000 to date for the TREE Fund. It was a week of steep hills and long days in the saddle, and “personal bests” were commonplace by week’s end. The competition for the top 3 fundraising spots remained heated until the November 20 deadline. The TREE Fund offers its thanks and congratulations to our top fundraisers for the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees campaign:
Phil Graham (Team Canada): $9,439.70 (combined US/CAN)
Dick Rideout (Team Wisconsin): $7,645
Frazer Pehmoeller (New York): $7,510
Phil, Dick and Frazer will receive STIHL merchandise certificates in the amount of $500, $250 and $100, respectively.
The 2011 Tour des Trees is closing in on its goal to raise $500,000 by December 30. Thank you to all who supported this record-breaking campaign! Donations are still being accepted at http://www.active.com/donate/STIHLTourdesTrees11
Planning is already underway for next year’s Tour, scheduled for August 5-11th in Portland OR. For more information visit www.stihltourdestrees.com
