Cyclists Pedal through Paicfic Northwest to Support Trees

As the long days of summer bask us in light, something amazing is happening in the Puget Sound Region, and British Columbia. More than 75 cyclists are riding up to 600 miles in the Tour des Trees to support urban tree research and the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund. Now in its eleventh year, Tour des Trees is a weeklong bike ride whose proceeds go towards funding research that helps provide us with hardier, disease resistant trees, cures for diseases and pests, methods for growing trees in difficult urban conditions and educational opportunities for young people interested in preserving this vital reserve. Since 1992, Tour des Trees has raised over $1.7 million to support tree research and improve the quality of urban tree care. This year's ride will begin in Seattle WA on July 21, cross Deception Pass, go North through Vancouver British Columbia, down Vancouver Island, across the Strait of Juan De Fuca to Port Angeles, head East to Port Townsend and down the Hood Canal to Olympia, returning to Seattle on July28th to end at the International Tree Climbing Championship in Volunteer Park. More than 75 riders from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom will ride in this year's Tour des Trees and will plant trees en route to increase public awareness of the importance of the urban forest and the need for ongoing research to improve the quality of urban tree care.

For more information visit www.tourdestrees.org.