eSprout |  October 2014
2014 Fall Appeal

Our goal this harvest season is to raise $100,000 by December 31st. Your generous gift will allow The American Chestnut Foundation to further the research and hands-on work needed in the coming year. Join the thousands of concerned people who, like yourself, share a vision of native forests known only to generations past. Forests full of thriving American chestnut! Please support this important work by making your gift today. 

Donate now.

Staff Update: A Bumper Crop Season at the Farm
By Jeff Donahue

2014 has been, and continues to be a busy year for the Meadowview staff. The 2014 B3F3 seed crop turned out to be the largest yet! Other major projects include: progeny tests, silvicultural trials, Phytophthora root rot disease screenings, bare root seedling production, seed and seedling distribution, staff changes, new farm equipment, and the list goes on. Find out what's been keeping the Meadowview staff busy during this record year. Click to read full article. 

Members Make Great Strides with A.T. MEGA-Transect Chestnut Project in PA
By Kathy Marmet
Mike and Kieu Manes are major players in moving the A.T. MEGA-Transect Chestnut Project forward in their home state of PA. This project trains volunteer hikers to recognize and count surviving American chestnut trees, as they hike along the Appalachian Trail. In October, the couple completed counting all the chestnuts along the AT in Pennsylvania, between Route 61 (Port Clinton) and the Delaware River, a distance of more than 75 miles. Click to read full article.
West Virginia Chestnut Festival

On October 12, the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee of West Virginia hosted its 7th Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival to pay homage to the "Great American Chestnut Tree". Rowlesburg, WV is located in the Cheat River Valley, surrounded by beautiful hills and the banks of the Cheat River. This all-day affair was a huge success, including speakers, delicious dishes, auctions, raffles, and tons of vendors. The daily Festival activities ranged from traditional fire roasted chestnut sampling to contests including 'throwing chestnuts-in-the-well' with prizes for the children in attendance.  Click to read full article.

TACF Hires Firm to Lead Effort in Identifying New President & CEO    

TACF is currently working with Signature Search, a talent acquisition firm, in conducting an executive search for President and CEO of the Foundation. This position is responsible for strategic, inspirational leadership and overall fiscal and operational management of TACF, including all staff, programs, fundraising, and activities supporting the organization. For additional information about the search process, please click here

TACF is pleased to announce that we are an approved Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity for 2014. If you are a federal employee or member of the military, please consider designating The American Chestnut Foundation as your beneficiary for any TACF donations you give this year (Donor Code: 95986). Thanks to everyone who has made this program a great success! Donate now.
Photo of the Month

Our Photo of the Month was taken by TN Chapter President Greg Weaver. It's a great shot of TACF members who participated in the AT hike at our recent annual meeting in Front Royal, VA. "A special thanks to Mark and Betty Gatewood for leading the way and to everyone in the group for sharing their knowledge of the woods and trails!" As you can see, fun was had by everyone on the trail that day!
Want to Roast your own Chestnuts? Here's how!

Calendar of Events
Nov. 1 VT/NH - NHACC 44th Annual MeetingLaconia Middle School, Laconia, NH  03246 / 8 am - 3:45 pm.

Nov. 1
 / PA Fall Member Meeting / International Conservation Center in Fairhope, PA  15538 / 9 am - 3 pm.

Nov. 1
 / Ceremonial Planting / Smith-McDowell House, located on the campus of A-B Tech Community College at 283 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC  28801 / 11 am

Nov. 5
/ VT/NH - Chestnut Talk - "Restoration of the American Chestnut Tree" with wildlife biologist Curt Laffin / Benz Center, 18 Heard Road, Sandwich, NH  03227 / 7 - 8 pm

Nov. 8 / KY - Louisville Restoration Branch Meeting / Highlands-Shelby Library Branch; Board Room (Mid City Mall), Louisville, KY  40204 / 10 am - 12 noon.

For additional information about these and other TACF events, please visit our calendar at: http://www.acf.org/calendar.php. 
The American Chestnut Foundation
50 North Merrimon Ave, Ste 115
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 281-0047
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The mission of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is to restore the American chestnut tree to our eastern woodlands to benefit our environment, our wildlife, and our society.

 

TACF is a 501(c)3 conservation organization headquartered in Asheville, NC. To learn about TACF and its national breeding program, visit www.acf.org. To join the effort to restore the American chestnut tree, visit www.acf.org/join.php.