Rescuing the
American Chestnut
Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Our vision is a robust eastern forest returned to its splendor.
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and keep the momentum moving forward at this year’s Symposium! It is shaping up to be a memorable event with something for every chestnut enthusiast. Click here for more info!
NOVEMBER 6-7, 2026 | GREENBELT, MD
What Does USDA's APHIS Action Mean?
USDA APHIS has concluded its regulatory review of Darling 54 American chestnut, determining that the tree is unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk than conventional American chestnut and is therefore no longer subject to APHIS regulation under its plant-pest authority. This action concludes USDA APHIS’s review; it is not the completion of the federal regulatory process for Darling 54. The OxO trait expressed by Darling 54 remains subject to separate regulatory requirements administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. An EPA Experimental Use Permit application for OxO American chestnut remains under review.
TACF believes decisions about the use of genetically engineered American chestnut in restoration should be based on rigorous science, transparency, and completion of all applicable regulatory reviews.
Latest News
Dolly Parton: A Life Rooted In Giving
By Jules Smith, TACF Director of Communications Dolly on the set of Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut When an icon like Dolly Parton passes, the news travels fast and hits hard. She was truly larger than life. I seriously doubt there’s a person alive...
American Chestnut Inspires at National Museum of Forest Service History
A Bittersweet Before and After Story—large and historically significant American chestnut trees find a new home at the National Museum of Forest Service History. The story of the widely revered American chestnut stand in Wisconsin is one of hope, stewardship, and...
Foxwynd Foundation Invests in TACF’s dentataBase
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) Secures $135,000 Foxwynd Foundation Fellowship Grant to Modernize 'dentataBase' Infrastructure. The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) announced today that its "dentataBase" modernization project has been selected for a...
did you know?
TACF is the steward of the most blight-resistant and most genetically diverse majority-American chestnut population in the world. (Meet the trees!)
This population is the foundation of our advanced RGS breeding program!
Support Our Research
Found a tree?
Learn how to identify American chestnuts and send us a sample for identification.
Support The Restoration
Want a tree?
Learn how to get American chestnut seeds from TACF.
Inspiring!
CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut is now available! For just $10, you will receive unlimited views and the ability to download and watch on multiple devices.
All proceeds support The American Chestnut Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
Science Strategies
Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biodiversity
United for Restoration
The American Chestnut Foundation takes a holistic approach toward chestnut restoration, utilizing a three-pronged research strategy known as 3BUR (Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biodiversity, United for Restoration). These research tracks are implemented through mutually beneficial collaborations, so we can explore all avenues to reach the common goal of saving and restoring this species as quickly as possible.
Harnessing the Power of Genomics
The American Chestnut Foundation is using an advanced breeding method called recurrent genomic selection (RGS) to save the American chestnut. Learn more about this exciting technique by watching this introductory video, or take a deep dive into RGS on our breeding page.
Major New TACF Paper Published in Science
A major new paper published this week in Science marks a turning point in how endangered species can be restored.
“For decades, conservation genetics focused on preserving what remained,” said Dr. Jared Westbrook, lead author of the study and TACF’s Director of Science. “Genomic tools now allow us to actively design restoration programs that improve with each generation. That shift changes what is possible. We can move from static preservation toward dynamic recovery.”
Download a PDF of Genomic approaches to accelerate American chestnut restoration (Westbrook et al., 2026)
Upcoming Events
Join us at the TVA orchard on September 4, 2026 for an orchard workday! Please wear appropriate clothing for working in the field. Bring snacks water, bug spray, and sunscreen. […]