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Acclaimed Author to Discuss Book about “Tree Keepers”

June 18, 2010

Contact: Mark Signs, Trees Forever: Mobile: 319-325-7750, Office: 800-369-1269

Marion, Iowa – (June 18, 2010) - Nationally acclaimed author, educator and wilderness guide Ann Linnea will share her thoughts on the importance of trees in our lives, and about the people who are passionate about them, at the Trees Forever Annual Meeting on Friday, June 25, in Cedar Falls. Ann is the author of the new book Keepers of the Trees: A Guide to Re-Greening North America, published by Skyhorse Publishing.

Linnea will be the keynote speaker at Trees Forever’s annual awards luncheon, to be held at the Commons at the University of Northern Iowa. Reservations are required for this event.

"I am excited to be coming back to Iowa to hold up the stories of the fine work being done by Trees Forever,” Linnea states. “Their inspiring work has enabled tens of thousands of ordinary folks to become 'Keepers of the Trees' and true stewards of their communities."

Linnea will also read from her new book and sign autographs at two other events in eastern Iowa. Thursday evening, June 24, Ann will be the honored guest at a reception and reading event from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Commons Porch at UNI in Cedar Falls. She will also be reading and signing books at Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City starting at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25. Both of these events are free and open to the public.

Linnea has strong Midwestern roots, having grown up in Minnesota and earning a degree at Iowa State University. She began her writing career during her years as a U.S. Forest Service naturalist. Ann’s acclaimed memoir, Deep Water Passage: A Spiritual Journey at Mid-Life, chronicled her journey as the first woman to travel completely around Lake Superior by sea kayak.

Her latest book, Keepers of the Trees, shares the stories of fourteen individuals from across the continent whose lives revolve around trees in some way. Trees Forever founder Shannon Ramsay is one of the tree keepers highlighted in the book. Ramsay has spent the past 21 years working with grassroots community volunteers and landowners to plant more trees and native plants throughout Iowa, Illinois and the Midwest.

“I am honored to be among the many tree keepers featured in this beautiful book,” notes Ramsay, who also currently serves as Board Chair for the national Alliance for Community Trees. “The stories of these amazing people both inspire us and challenge us to plant more trees and do more to protect our native environment,” she adds.

The book also features another Iowa tree keeper, Glenn Cannon, former general manager of Waverly Light & Power. Cannon guided the local municipal utility down a path of environmental care and stewardship that was fairly unique for such an entity at the time they started. Waverly Light & Power remains an active partner and sponsor of Trees Forever’s community tree program to this day. Since retiring from the utility, Cannon has traveled the country advocating for trees and the environment.

For more information about Ann Linnea’s book readings and signing events, or to register for Trees Forever’s Annual Meeting, please call 866-369-1269, extension 25, or click here.