Georgia Chapter

About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests.

The Georgia Chapter was founded to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests by assisting the national foundation in its propagation efforts, by promoting public awareness through education and by supporting the scientific research efforts of TACF directed at restoring American chestnuts.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

President – Jack Rogers

Vice President – Kathy Patrick

Secretary – Zach Felix

Treasurer – Vince Payne

Science Coordinator – Dr. Caitlin Conn

Honorary Director – Mary Belle Price (posthumously)

Board Members

Dr. Zach Felix

Dr. Scott Merkle

Ana Metaxas

Dr. Caitlin Conn

Taryn Heidel

David Keehn

Scott Laseter

Brian Williams

 

Partnerships

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and the Georgia Chapter (GaTACF) seek out partners that will not only help further its chestnut restoration program but also bring attention to the importance of the chestnut in American history. These partners include major universities, private foundations and businesses, as well as state and federal government agencies. With plantings at high-profile sites such as the Carter Center, Callaway Gardens Preserve, and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Project, GaTACF has been able to attract significant support from many partners throughout Georgia.

Each of our partners offers a unique perspective on chestnut restoration and gives GaTACF the best possible opportunity to be successful in its efforts to bring the American chestnut back to the forests of Georgia.

Georgia TACF Partner Organizations

  • Atlanta History Center
  • Berry College
  • Bittersweet Gardens
  • Bottletree Bees
  • Byron Herbert Reece Farm & Heritage Center
  • Carter Center
  • Charlane Plantation
  • Cloudland Vineyards
  • Dalton State College
  • Douglas County
  • Elachee Nature Science Center
  • Friends of Smithgall Woods State Park
  • Georgia Department of Natural Resources
  • Georgia State Parks
  • Georgia Forestry Commission
  • Georgia Governor’s Mansion
  • Georgia Piedmont Land Trust
  • Georgia State Botanical Garden
  • Kennesaw State University (Research Farm) 
  • Kistner Center
  • North Georgia Canopy Tours
  • Pettit Environmental Center
  • Rabun Gap Nacoochee School
  • Reinhardt University
  • Rising Fawn Gardens
  • Runnin’ Wild Farms
  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens
  • The Blueberry Farm
  • The Callaway Gardens Preserve
  • The Carter Center
  • Cherokee County Recreation & Parks
  • Sandy Creek Nature Center
  • The University of Georgia (UGA) Horticultural Farm
  • The UGA Mountain Research & Education Center (GMREC)
  • The UGA Warnell School of Forestry
  • The Southern Company (Georgia Power)
  • Toccoa Falls College
  • Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum
  • University of North Georgia
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • U.S.D.A. Forest Service
  • Vogel State Park
  • Young Harris College

FOR OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE WISH TO THANK

  • Ailene Phillips Trust
  • Dr. Austin Flint
  • Berry College
  • Eleanor & Tom Ratchford
  • Georgia Appalachian Regional Commission
  • Georgia State Specialty Crops Grant
  • Lumpkin Coalition/Hemlockfest
  • Dr. Martin Cipollini & Kathryn Patrick
  • Mary Belle Price
  • Rome Rotary Clubs
  • Temple-Inland Foundation
  • Urban & Community Forestry Commission

Georgia Chapter Menu

Georgia Facebook

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Presentation and tree planting at GMREC in Blairsville

On Saturday February 10, GA-TACF’s Dr. Martin Cipollini (Berry College) will be speaking at a meeting of the North GA Mountains Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society. Dr. Cipollini’s presentation will focus on the GA chapter’s statewide chestnut breeding program. This meeting is open to the public, so we encourage folks local to the Blairsville area to stop by!

The meeting is at the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center (GMREC). 195 Georgia Mountain Experiment Station Road, Blairsville, GA. The entrance is about 3 miles south of Blairsville on Rt. 19/129/11 (Gainesville Highway).

The Native Plant Society meeting starts at 10 am. Dr. Cipollini’s talk will run from about 11 am – noon. Immediately following the meeting, GMREC volunteers and others will plant a few small chestnut seedlings at a nearby spot on the property. Visitors are welcome to join and learn about planting and caring for chestnuts.

Please note some other items:

Earth Day at The Pettit Environmental Preserve near Dallas, GA, Saturday April 20. GA-TACF’s Mark Stoakes will be on hand to share information about our chestnut restoration program. Watch for upcoming details about this event.

Save the date! GA-TACF’s annual meeting will be held at The University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry on May 11 (morning meeting and presentations with field trip options in the afternoon). Agenda forthcoming. All are invited (members and non-members alike). The American Chestnut Foundation
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KPB - Keep Pickens Beautiful

TACF is hiring a paid intern for the Mid-Atlantic region. The intern will:
• Assist with all aspects of TACF’s Mid Atlantic regional science programs.
• Plant, maintain, and monitor American chestnuts in field and greenhouse settings.
• Assist with breeding selections, pollinations, and inventory activities.
• Enter data and digitized records into TACF’s online database.

Requirements:
• Some training in forestry, ecology, horticulture, biology, or related fields.
• Good written and oral communication skills, strong time-management skills.
• Ability to work well independently and in group settings.
• Proficiency with MS Office products, especially Excel; good attention to detail.
• Travel throughout Mid-Atlantic region (with focus in VA and MD) will be required.
✨Candidate MUST have own vehicle and current driver’s license
✨To Apply:
Email a resume, cover letter, and three references to Cassie Stark at cassie.stark@tacf.org
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Come see it in Sautee Nacoochee tomorrow at 2 pm. Sautee Nacoochee Center.We would like to announce CLEAR DAY THUNDER as the BEST ENVIRONMENTAL FILM of LWFF2024 - presented by TEREN

#FilmFestival #bestfilm #documentaryfilm

Wanderlinger Brewing Company Chattanooga Whiskey Rock/Creek Rock/Creek Rock/Creek St Francis Cottage NewTerra Compost SRogers Photography

Get Out Chattanooga Outdoor Chattanooga Chattanooga Filmmakers Guild Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Visit Chattanooga Chattanooga Now NOOGAtoday
Chattanooga Tourism Co. Chattanooga SE TN Film Commission The American Chestnut Foundation
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Come see it in Sautee Nacoochee tomorrow at 2 pm. Sautee Nacoochee Center.
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Latest News

GA-TACF Annual Meeting May 11, 2024

GA-TACF Annual Meeting May 11, 2024

The American Chestnut Foundation Georgia Chapter (GA-TACF) Annual Meeting Announcement  The Georgia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation will convene for its annual meeting on May 11th, 2024 at 10:00 AM, at the Warnell School of Forestry and National Resources,...

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GA-TACF By-laws Update

Copied below is a draft of updated by-laws for GA-TACF that will be presented and adopted at the annual meeting at UGA, May 11. Many thanks to Scott Laseter for re-drafting these by-laws. Please excuse formatting errors and use horizontal scroll bars to read through...

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American chestnut seeds available from GA-TACF

American chestnut seeds available from GA-TACF

NOTE: We have allocated all of the seeds from the 2023 seed crop!  We hope to run this promotion again next year (January 2025). Special offer for new or renewing GA-TACF members If you join TACF, renew a lapsed membership, or renew early plus add a donation of at...

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