Ohio Chapter

About Us

Our Mission

The Ohio Chapter was founded primarily to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut throughout the hardwood forests of Ohio, where it once flourished. We work with the National Foundation to advance research, education, and public awareness of this important tree species. The Ohio Chapter implements this mission by education and research. Education would include projects such as establish demonstration plantings to acquaint people with the American chestnut and the blight that has almost eliminated by the blight, providing material for education, provide grants to support demonstration plantings and presenting information at appropriate forums. Research would include mine restoration plantings with American chestnuts, reforestation projects including American chestnut, test plantings of hybrid American chestnuts, finding and document surviving American chestnuts in Ohio, and supporting chestnut research in Ohio with grants.

American Chestnut in Ohio

The range of the American Chestnut was mostly restricted to the glaciated and unglaciated Appalachian Plateau region In Ohio. This is roughly the eastern half of the state. The chestnut grew mostly as part of the oak hickory forests and constituted 10-20% of the forests in eastern Ohio. They reached3-4’ DBH. Since Ohio is in the western part of the range the of the tree the blight did not completely decimate the chestnut in Ohio until the early 1940’s. Some large snags persisted for awhile but now almost the only thing left are root sprouts in the understory of the forest and ODNR now lists the American Chestnut as extirpated in Ohio.

Ohio Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation

The Ohio Chapter of the American Chestnut foundation was established in 2005. The mission of the Ohio Chapter is to support the goals of the TACF through research and education to restore the American Chestnut to its former glory. Education includes demonstration projects to increase awareness, presentations, and publications on the American Chestnut. Research efforts include restoration projects, finding surviving trees in Ohio, and sponsoring research supporting the restoration of the American Chestnut in Ohio and throughout its range.

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT
Mr. Stephen Rist
Ohio DNR Division of Forestry

Email: ohchapter@acf.org

VICE-PRESIDENT
Mr. Bruce A. Willis

TREASURER
Mr. Ryan Homsher

SECRETARY
Greg Chopko

WEBMASTER
Frank Skalak

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dale Angerman
Dr. Bob Clark
Dr. Carolyn Howes Keiffer
Kristen Lehtoma
Dr. Greg Miller
Tom Mills

Documents

Annual Meeting Minutes

Ohio Board Mtg F-2016
Ohio Business Mtg F-2016

In The News

Restoring Giants (March 2017) Ohio Cooperative Living. Pages 32-33.

Membership

Membership Form (National and Ohio Chapter)

Ohio Chestnut Inventory

Inventory Form

Ohio Small Grant Application

Application Form

Ohio Chapter Menu

National Facebook

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Happening this week! In WNC and curious about American chestnuts? This documentary screening has you covered!

This free screening of TACF's documentary CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut will be shown at Asheville Pizza and Brewing, followed by a Q&A with TACF sstaff. Registration is required for this free event, visit forms.monday.com/forms/9ebb947ec489d7166913bd24fc70699b?r=use1 or scan the QR code to sign up.
... See MoreSee Less

Happening this week! In WNC and curious about American chestnuts? This documentary screening has you covered!

This free screening of TACFs documentary CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut will be shown at Asheville Pizza and Brewing, followed by a Q&A with TACF sstaff. Registration is required for this free event, visit https://forms.monday.com/forms/9ebb947ec489d7166913bd24fc70699b?r=use1 or scan the QR code to sign up.

There are so many magical quotes from Bob Ross about happy little trees, but this one sums it up nicely. This is dedicated to all the friends of the American chestnut. Together we can make the world a little greener and brighter. ... See MoreSee Less

There are so many magical quotes from Bob Ross about happy little trees, but this one sums it up nicely. This is dedicated to all the friends of the American chestnut. Together we can make the world a little greener and brighter.

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Definitely agree.

Bob Ross was an American treasure.

Virginia friends, more seed orchard planting events are coming up!

MARCH 16th: Banshee Reeks
MARCH 23rd: Sky Meadows State Park

Join us at either of these events (or both!) to help us sow chestnuts. Follow the links for further details.

March 16: tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-banshee-reeks/
March 23: tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-sky-meadows-state-park/
... See MoreSee Less

Virginia friends, more seed orchard planting events are coming up! 

MARCH 16th: Banshee Reeks
MARCH 23rd: Sky Meadows State Park

Join us at either of these events (or both!) to help us sow chestnuts. Follow the links for further details. 

March 16: https://tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-banshee-reeks/
March 23: https://tacf.org/event/va-seed-orchard-planting-sky-meadows-state-park/

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Wendell Tucker

Join us March 15 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (ET), for TACF's next LIVE Chestnut Chat.

As chestnut enthusiasts, we often find ourselves sharing complex scientific information with friends, family, and colleagues. The good news is that you can make your science presentations more effective!

In this episode, Penn State’s Michael Alley will speak about a better way: the assertion-evidence approach. With this method, a speaker builds the talk upon key messages supported by visual evidence. Michael’s research has found that assertion-evidence talks are more focused and better understood by audiences. Join us to learn how to step up your science presentation game!

Visit the link for more information or to sign up. tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-assertion-evidence-approach-to-presentations/
... See MoreSee Less

Join us March 15 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM (ET), for TACFs next LIVE Chestnut Chat. 

As chestnut enthusiasts, we often find ourselves sharing complex scientific information with friends, family, and colleagues. The good news is that you can make your science presentations more effective! 

In this episode, Penn State’s Michael Alley will speak about a better way: the assertion-evidence approach. With this method, a speaker builds the talk upon key messages supported by visual evidence. Michael’s research has found that assertion-evidence talks are more focused and better understood by audiences. Join us to learn how to step up your science presentation game!

Visit the link for more information or to sign up. https://tacf.org/event/chestnut-chat-assertion-evidence-approach-to-presentations/Image attachmentImage attachment

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is hiring! We're seeking a highly organized full-time Operations Specialist. The Operations Specialist is the face of TACF and is the first point of contact for all visitors to the national office in Asheville. They will balance a variety of responsibilities and must possess a high degree of flexibility, professional attitude, and initiative. The ideal candidate will understand a nonprofit environment and have a strong commitment to service.

Applications close at 12:00PM on March 22, 2024. Please visit the employment page for a complete job description and additional details. tacf.org/employment/
... See MoreSee Less

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is hiring! Were seeking a highly organized full-time Operations Specialist. The Operations Specialist is the face of TACF and is the first point of contact for all visitors to the national office in Asheville. They will balance a variety of responsibilities and must possess a high degree of flexibility, professional attitude, and initiative. The ideal candidate will understand a nonprofit environment and have a strong commitment to service.

Applications close at 12:00PM on March 22, 2024. Please visit the employment page for a complete job description and additional details. https://tacf.org/employment/
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Latest News

Ohio Chapter Meeting September 11, 2021

Ohio Chapter Meeting September 11, 2021

September 11, 2021  Annual Meeting of the Ohio Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation The annual meeting was held virtually via ZOOM.  President Carolyn Keiffer told the membership she is retiring from Miami University at the end of the year and the presidency of...

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Ohio Chestnut Grant Applications

Ohio Chapter  Grant Applications due October 30, 2021!! Grants are available for up to $1000 for any project or plan furthering the American Chestnut by planting, education, or another manner.  These grants are available to any people or organizations who would be...

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OH Chapter Grants Applications

OH Chapter Grants Applications

Posted September 23, 2021 Ohio Chapter  Grant Applications due October 30, 2021 Grants are available for up to $1000 for any project or plan furthering the American Chestnut by planting, education, or another manner.  These grants are available to any people or...

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