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
Tree Breeding/Preservation (Science Coordinator)
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Honorary Director
Mary Belle Price (posthumously)
Board Members
Tim Chesnut
Dr. Zach Felix
Dr. Scott Merkle
Ana Metaxas
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Taryn Heidel
David Keehn
David Green
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
This is a pure American chestnut in flower. Its source (and the smaller one on the left) is FDR State Park (Pine Mountain, Harris County), not far from Dowdell Knob. The small FDR population represents the most southern location for flowering wild American chestnuts in the U.S. (world!). Pollen and nuts from small "germplasm conservation" orchards like the one pictured can be extremely important for our chestnut restoration program. And most anyone can do this. In this site at Berry College, there are five trees planted in a 5 x 30 ft raised bed. Over the years, trees in this small space have generated hundreds of seedlings for our breeding program. Let us know if you'd like to do something like this and we will let you know how you might help (if you have received seeds or seedlings from us in the past, please update us on their condition!). Email gachestnut@gmail.com The American Chestnut Foundation
How can you tell if your tree is American Chestnut? My parents brought a chestnut tree home from Tennessee in 1968 on their honeymoon and it has flourished.
I'm interested! I live in Chatsworth close to the mountains that once were covered with these trees.
I live in pine mtn and would love to see the ones that are here.
Excellent! Very important trees.
Sending an email now.
I need some!!
Erin Kenner should we see about getting some seedlings for Chatt Bend?
Chestnut orchard work in progress at the Frank Milner Farm near Rome, GA. Pictured is Berry College intern Louis Durand after helping to cull some non-selected orchard trees. Beautiful day to be out there. The American Chestnut Foundation
Nice article in the Dahlonega Nugget about the new project at UNG's Hurricane Creek site. www.thedahloneganugget.com/news-newsletter/chestnut-tree-rescue-effort-taking-root
The American Chestnut Foundation
Chestnut tree rescue effort is taking root | The Dahlonega Nugget, Dahlonega, GA
www.thedahloneganugget.com
The American Chestnut Foundation has teamed up with the University of North Georgia Biology department and the UNG Environmental Leadership Center as part of a nationwide effort to restore the AmerLatest News
GA-TACF Annual Meeting May 13 2023
Calling all Georgia American Chestnut enthusiasts! The Georgia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (GA-TACF) will hold its annual state meeting on May 13th, 2023, in Dahlonega. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia Health and Natural...
GA-TACF Science Progress 2022
2022 was a very productive year for the Georgia chapter of TACF and its many citizen volunteers. Here is a quick summary of progress, starting with a summary of what we've been able to accomplish in the breeding program since 2006. Seed type Crosses American chestnut...
So you want to plant some chestnuts?
We're happy to be hearing from so many folks like you who are interested in planting chestnuts on their property. We’ve received a lot of requests for chestnut seedlings and that’s good news, since it indicates a high level of interest in restoring American chestnut...