New York News
The USDA’s approval of GE chestnut trees would be a step forward for threatened species conservation
"It is an exciting time in the field of conservation and biotechnology. For the first time, it appears likely that a tree that has been developed with genetic engineering (GE) could be approved by U.S. regulatory agencies for use in restoring a threatened species to...
Bringing Back the American Chestnut
"At the turn of the [20th] century, ...the American chestnut was devastated by blight... The blight swept through the Appalachian forest at a rate of 50 miles a year, leaving the species as nothing more than an early-succession-stage shrub. Now, the American...
Gene editing could save a nearly lost tree
Researchers at SUNY ESF are growing American chestnut trees that can withstand blight. They are ready to release the trees into the wild, becoming the first in the United States to use genetic engineering to bring back a forest tree to its former glory. Read the full...
The Demise and Potential Revival of the American Chestnut
Before a disastrous blight, the American chestnut was a keystone species in eastern forests. Could genetic engineering help bring it back? "In the 1990s, William Powell, a professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York, who'd...
Can Genetic Engineering Bring Back the American Chestnut?
The [American chestnut] tree helped build industrial America before disease wiped out an estimated three billion or more of them. To revive their lost glory, we may need to embrace tinkering with nature. Read the full story at New York Times Magazine
High-tech chestnuts: Researchers genetically modify tree to save species
Researchers at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry will soon seek federal clearance to distribute thousands of modified trees as part of a restoration effort — a closely watched move that could expand the frontier for...
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Each year, prior to pollination season, The American Chestnut Foundation's Meadowview Research Farms staff works hard in the High Light Grow Room to produce pollen. The process of producing flowering saplings in 9 to 11 months vs. normal orchard conditions of 5 to 7 years is described in this video with Cassie Stark, new regional science coordinator and former laboratory manager at Meadowview.
Expanding the High Light Grow Room at Meadowview Research Farms with this new greenhouse would benefit the foundation immensely. Your support of TACF’s 2023 Spring Appeal will allow us to purchase a year-round greenhouse.
Also- we have exciting news!! Right now your donations will be DOUBLED thanks to one of TACF's generous supporters, Robert Dunlap of Dunlap & Kyle.
Link to donate:
support.acf.org/donate/spring-appeal
PlayCleanGo powered by The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is a campaign to raise awareness for people to not spread invasive pests and pathogens between natural areas, which is something chestnuts could have benefitted from a long time ago.
Go to PlayCleanGo | Powered by NAISMA for some great tips!
Have you ever wanted to be a chestnut breeder?
Please join us at the beautiful Chestnut Ridge Orchard (Tennessee) for a one-day pollination workshop on June 10th to learn the basics of chestnut breeding.
The training will begin at 10:00 AM Central.
📍The Chestnut Ridge Orchard is located at: 1439 Shelbyville Highway, Petersburg, TN
The workshop is a hands-on opportunity to learn and practice the techniques we use for controlled crosses in the TACF breeding program. We'll cover all the steps in the process from finding and identifying an American chestnut tree, how to recognize the male and female flowers, emasculation and bagging, pollen collection and handling, labelling and record-keeping, and the intimate details of hand pollination.
What to bring?
A pair of garden clippers or tiny scissors, a summer hat, and some bug spray. Sensible shoes are a must! Dress for the weather and don't forget to bring plenty of water and a snack. This is an all-ages, rain or shine event. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary.
In order to best coordinate the group please let Hill Craddock know you are coming at:
📧Hill-Craddock@utc.edu
Tennessee Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
Being the $97m Dollars winner of the 2008 Lotto max is a great gain. I vowed to help people in need of financial support, Being blessed with ninety seven million dollars really meant a lot to me and I feel like I don’t deserve it as I know the real struggle people go through in a bid to make ends meet. Therefore I voluntarily decided to donate and touch the lives of men and women who have found themselves in financial crisis, to individuals around the world according to how God leads me to do. I try to reach people randomly from different sources and modes so as to touch lives from different parts of the world. Now I’m giving you an opportunity to share your pain with me drop a message for me and I'll reply you. Respectfully: Carl hunter
PA/NJ chapter seeking volunteers:
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK
Field inoculations of hybrid chestnut trees (750 TREES TOTAL)
Where: South Orchard (Rocky Top Lane)
When: Friday, June 16th, 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
**This activity requires repeated standing, kneeling, and sitting.
For more information & to sign up contact Hoy:
sdh177@psu.edu | 719-480-9201
patacf.org/seeking-volunteers-for-inoculations-at-psu/SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK
Field inoculations of hybrid chestnut trees (750 TREES TOTAL)
Where: South Orchard (Rocky Top Lane)
When: Friday, June 16th, 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
**This activity requires repeated standing, kneeling, and sitting.
For more information & to sign up contact Hoy:
sdh177@psu.edu | 719-480-9201
patacf.org/seeking-volunteers-for-inoculations-at-psu/
The only time I wished I lived in PA
Is there an address I can Google?
I'm originally from Greenville in Mercer County & will attend in spirit
I wish I was a little closer it Would be great to help out
do you get extra seedlings?
J U N E 16th Chestnut Chat (live, virtual via Zoom): Pre-register for:
➡️Q&A about TACF documentary, CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut
🌟Learn about 40th Anniversary Surprise online screening for TACF email subscribers
➡️Meet Filmmaker, Rod Murphy
➡️Learn how to screen the film and what is included in the screening kit and more with coordinator Marketing Outpost
Pre-register here: psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_85iLnNwKQ0Gl6_irP7e94Q#/registration
Indiana Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, The American Chestnut Foundation - Kentucky Chapter, The American Chestnut Foundation's Meadowview Research Farms, The Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, Vermont & New Hampshire Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation Upcoming Chestnut Chat is all about the TACF documentary. Learn about opportunity for e-mail subscribers to view the film in celebration of our 40th Anniversary, meet Rod Murphy, one of the filmmakers and learn about how to screen the film, scheduled screenings and more.
Jim Jordan link is here