eSprout |  January 2016
Thank You for Making Our Year-End Appeal a Huge Success!
The American Chestnut Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in our 2015 Year-End Appeal. Your contributions further the critical work that is taking place within our state chapters, regional offices, and Meadowview Research Farms. We have raised $350,086.66, surpassing our goal! Special thanks to our spokesman, tree farmer and keyboardist Chuck Leavell, for sharing our compelling mission via social media. Best wishes in 2016 from all of us at TACF!
Staff Article: Phytophthora cinnamomi Isolated from Chestnuts in Pennsylvania
By Regional Science Coordinator Sara Fitzsimmons
During the past two growing seasons, two Pennsylvania/New Jersey chapter orchard locations were stricken with the unexplained death of many plants. The results were both unexpected and alarming, when Phytophthora root rot (PRR) was discovered as the culprit. Prior to this, PRR had only been found in orchards south of the PA/MD border. But it was only a matter of time before this deadly disease found its way north.
"Chestnut Tree" (Helen's Song) Tells of Life in a Different Time
By New York Chapter President Allen Nichols
"Chestnut Tree" (Helen's Song) was inspired by the stories told by my mother, Helen Titch Nichols, and was written in dedication to her 90th birthday. The chestnut tree in this song is an iconic symbol of a way of life that has widely died out in American culture, yet the roots remain in the words of Helen's  and many other's stories. Proceeds from this song support the New York Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. 
TACF's 2015 Annual Report Now Available Online
We are pleased to announce the online release of The American Chestnut Foundation's 2015 Annual Report. This report contains the many great accomplishments achieved during the past fiscal year, such as chapter volunteers planting more than 52,000 chestnut trees in 101 separate locations throughout the Appalachian range, and many more! 

Cameron Lane, of Boy Scout Troop 994, conducted his Eagle Project last month, working in collaboration with the Virginia chapter of TACF. His project included planting four Restoration Chestnuts 1.0 at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. 
Photo submitted by Virginia chapter president Cathy Mayes. 
Calendar of Events
January 9 - 16 / Pennsylvania chapter event: 100th Anniversary Pennsylvania Farm Show / Harrisburg, PA / Sign-up to be a Volunteer!

January 22 / Carolinas chapter event: The American Chestnut Foundation's Current Restoration Work Presentation by Regional Science Coordinator Tom Saielli at the Western Carolina Botanical Club 

January 24 / National office event: Current American Chestnut Restoration Efforts Presentation by TACF President and CEO Lisa Thomson at Asheville Botanical Gardens Annual Meeting / 151 W.T. Weaver Boulevard / Asheville, NC 28804 / 3 P.M. 

January 27 / Maine chapter event: Restoration of the American chestnut Presentation for Appalachian Mountain Club / First Congregational Church / 35 Church Street /  Brewer, ME 04412 / 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. 

February 9 / Pennsylvania/New Jersey chapter event: 2016 Winter Board of Directors Meeting / Landis House / 67 N 4th Street / Newport, PA 17074 / 10 A.M. - 3 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.