eSprout |   October 2015
Help TACF Meet its Most Ambitious Fall Appeal Goal to Date!
The American Chestnut Foundation needs your help to grow and thrive, just like the tree itself. We hope that you will give as generously to our year-end fundraising goal of $250,000. It is a pivotal time in the breeding and testing of the American chestnut, and in our organization itself. Please join us on this positive, hopeful journey to restore the American chestnut and make your tax-deductible donation today.
Last Chance: Register Today for TACF's 2015 Annual Meeting
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. Registration closes this Thursday, October 15th at 5 P.M. Join us for this unique opportunity!
American Chestnut Day: A Platform for Education and Outreach
By Jean Najjar, PA/NJ Chapter Secretary 
Mayor Elizabeth Goreham of State College, Pennsylvania declared October 23rd as American Chestnut Tree Day. She presented the proclamation at the September Borough Council Meeting, encouraging all to use that day to call attention to the history, and future of this iconic native tree species. For the week of October 23rd, local restaurants will be presenting chestnut-themed dishes in celebration.
Staff Article: Meadowview's 2015 Seed Collections
By Jeff Donahue, Director of Operations
TACF Director of Operations Jeff Donahue discusses the recently completed seed collections at Meadowview Research Farms in his October staff article. The 2015 seed collections were the culmination from months of planning, preparation, and field work, in which burs are processed until mid-October and seed distribution to nurseries will occur during the last week of October. The remaining stock will be stored in a freezer until the spring seed distribution in March. 
Start Shopping with AmazonSmile to Support TACF
Did you know that when you shop at Amazon, a small portion of your purchases can be donated to The American Chestnut Foundation through AmazonSmile? It is an easy way to donate and support TACF. When you register, Amazon will ask you to select your charity of choice (The American Chestnut Foundation). Amazon will then donate 0.5 % of your total eligible purchases to TACF every time you shop. AmazonSmile offers the same products and prices, all under the same great Amazon service. Sign up for AmazonSmile today! 
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. 

Photo submitted by David Moxley.
Chestnut perfection on a porch rail in North Carolina. Click here to view a large-scale version of this image. Submitted via TACF Facebook page. 
Calendar of Events
October 15 / Massachusetts Horticulture Society Honorary Medal's Dinner / Hunnewell Carriage House / Wellesley, MA / 6:30 P.M. 

October 17 / Maine Chapter Annual Meeting / Newport, ME / 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. 

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

October 24 / American Chestnut Day / Pennsylvania 

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

October 31 / VA Chapter Annual Membership Meeting / Matthews State Forest Headquarters / 106 Forest Lane, Galax, VA / 1:30 P.M. 

November 19 / MA/RI Chapter Event:  Restoration of American Chestnut Tree Presentation with Massachusetts Garden Club / 1 P.M. - 2 P.M. 

December 2 / Maine Chapter Board Meeting / Augusta, Maine / 5 P.M. - 9 P.M. 

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.