eSprout |   August 2015
REGISTER TODAY: 2015 Annual Meeting, October 23 - 24
The American Chestnut Foundation has partnered with the Schatz Tree Genetics Colloquium to offer a state-of-the-art educational experience called "Integrating Genomics Tools in American Chestnut Restoration." Learn about genome sequencing, marker-assisted selection techniques, and participate in hands-on learning opportunities, such as DNA extraction in the lab. Register now for this exciting, hands-on learning opportunity.
A Canadian in Syracuse
By Doctoral Candidate Christie Lovat
A doctoral candidate from McGill University in Montreal writes about her summer as a visiting scholar with the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at the State University of New York (SUNY-ESF) and the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project. Working with Drs. William Powell and Charles Maynard, Christine discusses micropropagation of the American chestnut, as well as the tremendous team of researchers she had the opportunity to work with.
Don't Miss These Upcoming Fall Chestnut Festivals! 
Mark your calendars for CHESTNUT FESTIVALS in October: 
Each of these fun events has a great line up of activities this year so save the date(s) today! Check out all the details here!
Georgia Chapter Enters Second Decade of Breeding Program
By Georgia chapter members Patrick Felch and Martin Cipollini and intern Royce Dingley
The Georgia chapter began their breeding program in 2006. Since then, it has produced 6,359 chestnut tree crosses in a total of 152 orchards. As of 2015, a little more than half of these trees are still thriving. Based on these results, the Georgia chapter has made several strides in strengthening their breeding program and has formalized plans to establish their own seed orchards. 
Show-off your Photography Skills with TACF's 2015 Photo Contest
Send us your best chestnut-themed photography! The winning photo will be featured on an upcoming cover of Chestnut, The American Chestnut Foundation's new journal. The winner will also receive a complimentary one-year TACF membership.  Contest terms and entry rules can be downloaded here. Send your entries to Catherine Farist (email: [email protected]) by September 1st! Time is running out!

Photo by J Hill Craddock.
The chinquapin (Castanea pumila) is a dwarf, shrublike cousin of the American chestnut that has a generally more southern and western distribution in the United States. Taken in Indiana. Click here to view a large-scale version of this image. Submitted via Facebook
TACF is excited to be included in the National/International 2015 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Charity List distributed to Federal employees and military personnel in the U.S. and overseas. If you are a federal employee or member of the military, please consider designating The American Chestnut Foundation (Donor Code: 95986) as your beneficiary this year. 
Calendar of Events
September 12 / ME Chapter Event: Maine Tree Farm Day & SWOAM's  Annual Forestry Field DayWayne Coleman's Family Tree Farm / 411 Houlton Road / Baileyville, Maine / 8:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. 

September 15 / MA/RI Chapter Event: Chestnut Presentation with Curt Laffin / Carlton Village / 100 Old Billerica Road / Bedford, MA / 6 P.M. - 7 P.M. 

September 17 / ME Chapter Event: Maine Chapter Board Meeting / Viles Arboretum153 Hospital Street / Augusta, ME 04330 / 5 P.M. - 8 P.M. 

September 19 / New England Regional Chestnut Meeting / Urban Forestry Center45 Elwyn Road / Portsmouth, NH / 03801 / 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. 

September 25 / ME Chapter Event: TACF Presentation and Booth Hosted by Dr. Brian Roth / Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's Common Ground Country Fair / Unity, ME / 12 P.M. 

October 11 / WV Chapter Event: 8th Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival / Rowlesburg, WV / 10:30 A.M. - 7:30 P.M. 

October 17 / 6th Annual Chestnut Celebration / Meadowview Research Farms / 29010 Hawthorne Drive, Meadowview, VA 24361 / 2 P.M. - 6 P.M. 

October 23 - 25 / TACF Annual Meeting 2015 in collaboration with Schatz Tree Genetics Colloquium / Penn Stater Conference Hotel / State College, PA / Register Today! 

For all TACF events, visit http://www.acf.org/calendar.php. 
The American Chestnut Foundation
50 North Merrimon Ave, Suite 115
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 281-0047
               
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.