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.
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!
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)
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.
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.
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.
Latest News
Genomics Offers a Faster Path to Restoring the American Chestnut
For more than a century, the American chestnut, once a dominant tree across eastern North American forests, has been devastated by an invasive fungal disease that killed billions of trees in the early 1900s. A new study published in Science shows that modern genomic tools can dramatically accelerate restoration while preserving the species’ ecological identity.
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. The research demonstrates that approaches informed by detailed genomic information, long used in agriculture and animal breeding, can be applied at scale to conservation and restoration of wild species, accelerating progress toward restoring ecological integrity.
Black History and the American Chestnut
Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the past while also recognizing how Black knowledge, leadership, and community continue to shape the present. From histories rooted in land and survival to modern platforms and outdoor spaces where...
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.
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Rogueing has officially begun! Late last year, Meadowview Research Farm staff selected the best trees in our 2018 progeny test to be genetically tested this year, and now our Director of Land Management, Dan McKinnon, is removing the trees that weren’t selected. The 2017 progeny test is also being cleared to make way for future plantings. Removing undesirable trees on a regular basis provides space for the trees of tomorrow.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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if you dug them I am sure some of us could plant them.. i mean if there is a chance they make it
Can't you replant the "undesirable " trees else where as they're important to the earth breathing.
Thanks, Dan!
The PA/NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is having a Spring Growers meeting on March 28, 2026 from 9:30am - 3:30pm
Expert speakers: Michael Goergen, Allen Dietrich-Ward, Noah Vincent, and Lake Graboski
$30 ticket price includes breakfast and lunch!
All are welcome! Learn more at PANJTACF.org
It will be held at The Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter Mansion
5395 N. Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
#americanchestnut #meeting #getinvolved #nonprofit #explorepage
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Sorry I will miss this! I have to be at our SAWN-PA forest workshop.
In collaboration with us, the off-road park, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), has participated in planting American chestnut trees across their property.
"Off-road parks do not always have a reputation for environmental stewardship, which makes AOAA’s conservation work genuinely surprising and worth highlighting."
Check out the article "This Rugged Pennsylvania Off-Roading Playground Sits In The Heart Of Coal Country" to learn more about the AOAA: everafterinthewoods.com/this-rugged-pennsylvania-off-roading-playground-sits-in-the-heart-of-coal...
Images from AOAA socials.
#americanchestnut #chestnuts #conservation #outdoorrecreation #explorepage
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TACF’s Director of Development, John, and Director of Communications, Jules, had a great time tabling at an event for the one-year anniversary Tree Museum Birthday Gala. Despite the rainy weather, the gala planted trees, roasted chestnuts, and hosted a ticketed “Tree Walk” that sold out.
#americanchestnut #trees #explorepage #chestnuts #nature
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Meadowview Research Farm’s staff members Jim Tolton and Lucinda Wigfield joined Terry Sharik and Bob Ford in monitoring Round Leaf Birch (Betula uber) plots last week. This rare tree species is endemic to Marion, Virginia, meaning it naturally occurs nowhere else in the world. To help conserve it, progeny tests were planted to study how seedlings from different parent trees grow and survive. During this monitoring visit, we focused on counting male catkins, which produce pollen, that play a key role in reproduction. Tracking flowering and catkin production helps researchers understand the trees’ health, reproductive potential, and long-term conservation success.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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Upcoming Events
Join us for a full day of learning and connection! Hear from 3 expert featured speakers including new TACF President Michael Goergen, with time for questions and discussion after each […]
Join us for our Annual Membership Meeting in person, at the Connecticut Forest & Park Association in Rockfall/ Middletown. Agenda for the meeting can be found here. Featured speaker: Isabel […]