ATC to sponsor STIHL Tour des Trees stop in New London
Event will feature Melinda Myers, tree dedication, awareness program and giveaways for children
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – On Wednesday, July 30, some 100 bicyclists will pedal into Hatten Park in New London, Wis., where American Transmission Co. and the New London Parks and Recreation department will host an event for kids and families. The bicyclists will be making a lunch stop on the fourth day of the nearly 600-mile STIHL Tour des Trees, which originates in Milwaukee and tours through Wisconsin to raise awareness and contributions to benefit the TREE Fund. Since 1992, the STIHL Tour des Trees has raised more than $6.6 million to fund research, education grants and scholarships administered by the TREE Fund.
At 11 a.m. in Hatton Park on July 30, Toronto arborist and veteran Tour cyclist Warren Hoselton, also known as “Professor Elwood Pricklethorn,” will present a kid-friendly short course in tree science. The Professor will be joined by renowned Wisconsin gardening expert, TV/radio host and author Melinda Myers, who will talk about the importance of trees and how to Grow Smart – by planting them a safe distance from high-voltage transmission lines. The 45-minute interactive program will focus on how trees grow, where and how to plant trees to increase their longevity and what kids can do to care for the trees in their world. The program is free, and the public is invited.
New London Public School fifth graders, assisted by Ranger Services Inc., planted a tree in Hatten Park on Arbor Day in anticipation of the Tour’s visit. On July 30, the Professor and Melinda Myers will lead the Tour cyclists and audience members in a special dedication of the new tree, and every child in attendance will take home books, seeds and other materials contributed by ATC, Bartlett Tree Experts, Wisconsin Arborist Association and the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. The New London Public Library also will receive a set of books about trees and a donation from the TREE Fund, for inclusion in its children’s collection.
Note to editors: A video about the STIHL Tour des Trees can be found on YouTube by clicking here.
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