Virginia News

Volunteer Now!

Current Opportunities to Volunteer!

Working with the Public

Plantings are planned for Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna on May 3 and at Mount Vernon at a date in the spring to be determined.  We are looking for a few volunteers to help with (a) planting the trees, (b) monitoring the seedlings until they get established, (c) developing interpretive material to tell Garden visitors the chestnut story, and (d) organizing the ceremony surrounding the planting.  If you have time and interest, please contact VA TACF at ten.nozirev@tuntsehcav or (540) 364-1922.

Working with Nature*

Opportunities abound for help in planting, pollinating and monitoring American chestnut trees in our orchards.  For more information, and to volunteer, contact us at ten.nozirev@tuntsehcav or (540) 364-1922.

*Risk Advice.  Many activities in support of VATACF put volunteers into close contact with nature.  This poses a number of potential risks volunteers need to consider.  These include exposure to insects, poisonous plants, snakes, difficult terrain and strenuous activity.  VATACF expects volunteers to inform and protect themselves against these risks and cannot accept responsibility for failure to do so.

Behind the Scenes

Staff the VATACF Office.  Multiple volunteer opportunities exist to help staff the Virginia Chapter of TACF office in Marshall, VA.   The duties involve learning enough to answer questions from visitors to the office and over the phone, helping to manage volunteer activity, as well as performing related clerical duties in support of VATACF’s mission to restore chestnut trees to Virginia.  These volunteer opportunities are part-time and hours can be flexible to meet your schedule.  You will have the fun of meeting and working with committed volunteers and interested members of the public and learning about the science and organizational efforts in support of VATACF’s mission.  For information, or to volunteer, contact Kathy Marmet at moc.liamg@temramyhtak.

Communications Assistants Wanted!  VATACF is looking for one or more persons to assist in enhancing communications within our diverse and rapidly growing organization.  Volunteers will help maintain the VATACF web site (vachestnut.org), help write announcements and notices, locate photos and illustrations and help manage VATACF’s use of social media.  Special opportunities exist for persons with skill in producing videos for the web.  The work can be conducted at our Marshall, VA, office or from any location with internet service.  The work requirements are flexible and can be organized to fit your schedule.   Volunteers will have the satisfaction of  working with modern technologies and helping to organize and energize the reintroduction of the chestnut tree to American forests.  For more information, or to volunteer, contact us at ten.nozirev@tuntsehcav.

Video Editor and YouTube Guru.  VATACF wants to produce short video productions on a variety of topics to be used for training volunteers and educating the public about a variety of aspects of restoring the American chestnut tree.  If you have skills in video production, including filming, editing and creating YouTube videos, then we have an important role for you to fill.  Work schedules can be organized to fit your needs.  You will gain experience in producing and editing high quality video productions and enhancing VATACF’s educational and training program.  You will have the satisfaction of seeing your work on the internet and in use in field trainings all around the Commonwealth.  For more information, or to volunteer, contact Norman Reid ten.sehguh@diernjta.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Don’t see anything that fits?  We have many more needs than we have listed here.  Match your interests and skills with our needs by filling out the online volunteer interest form.

We will get back to you to work out something that meets your interests and our needs!

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Inside this American chestnut box is a Dolly Parton song that no one will hear until 2046.

Dolly Parton's "Dream Box" will remain sealed until her 100th birthday. Made from American chestnut wood, it stands as a tribute to her uncle and mentor, Bill Owens.

Many know Owens as an important influence on Dolly's songwriting. Fewer know that he was also a tireless advocate for restoring the American chestnut, a tree once thought lost from eastern forests.

Inside the chestnut box is a song Dolly wrote to be released as her last: "My Place in History."

There is something fitting about that. A song about the place we leave behind, preserved in a box made from a tree once thought lost that generations of people have worked to bring back.

Like so much in conservation, Bill Owens' legacy is not only what he accomplished himself, but what he passed on: knowledge, passion, and a connection to those who came after him.

Forests endure because people choose to carry them forward. So do legacies.

When that box is finally opened in 2046, I hope to be listening to "My Place in History" beneath the shade of an American chestnut; one that Bill Owens helped bring back.

#AmericanChestnut #ForestRestoration #DollyParton #Conservation #Legacy
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Inside this American chestnut box is a Dolly Parton song that no one will hear until 2046.Dolly Partons Dream Box will remain sealed until her 100th birthday. Made from American chestnut wood, it stands as a tribute to her uncle and mentor, Bill Owens.Many know Owens as an important influence on Dollys songwriting. Fewer know that he was also a tireless advocate for restoring the American chestnut, a tree once thought lost from eastern forests.Inside the chestnut box is a song Dolly wrote to be released as her last: My Place in History.There is something fitting about that. A song about the place we leave behind, preserved in a box made from a tree once thought lost that generations of people have worked to bring back.Like so much in conservation, Bill Owens legacy is not only what he accomplished himself, but what he passed on: knowledge, passion, and a connection to those who came after him.Forests endure because people choose to carry them forward. So do legacies.When that box is finally opened in 2046, I hope to be listening to My Place in History beneath the shade of an American chestnut; one that Bill Owens helped bring back.#AmericanChestnut #ForestRestoration #DollyParton #Conservation #Legacy

97 CommentsComment on Facebook

Hope I live to 92 to hear it and if I do, I hope my brain knows what I’m listening to!

Gosh, I'm going to have to reincarnate to hear this in 2046! Hoping to be born in Appalachia, maybe as a squirrel....

I'll be gone in 20 years. I'm mid 70s now. I understand her wanting to wait, but wouldn't it have been better for her to just name a number, like 5 years beyond her date of death or something like that, so that people who knew her, remembered her, would appreciate it more? 20 years from now my kids will be in their 70s, and they may or may not remember her. My grandkids won't have a clue. And they'll be middle-aged! Kind of a shame. She must have had her reasons however ❤️😭

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"Dolly's music is rooted in the Appalachians," her uncle Bill Owens once said. "The American chestnut was once the most important tree in these mountains, feeding wildlife and people alike."

The comparison feels especially meaningful today. Both Dolly Parton and the American chestnut grew from Appalachian roots to become enduring icons. Both nourished generations, one with food and shelter, the other with music, compassion, and hope. Both became symbols of resilience, generosity, and the richness of mountain culture.

The American chestnut's story lives on in the forests it shaped. Dolly's story lives on in the millions of lives she touched.

Appalachia gave the world both. And the world is better because it did.

Read our article "Dolly Parton: A Life Rooted In Giving" about Dolly's work with the Foundation and see how far her generosity reached: tacf.org/dolly-parton-a-life-rooted-in-giving/

#dollyparton #news #explore #tribute #country
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Dollys music is rooted in the Appalachians, her uncle Bill Owens once said. The American chestnut was once the most important tree in these mountains, feeding wildlife and people alike.The comparison feels especially meaningful today. Both Dolly Parton and the American chestnut grew from Appalachian roots to become enduring icons. Both nourished generations, one with food and shelter, the other with music, compassion, and hope. Both became symbols of resilience, generosity, and the richness of mountain culture.The American chestnuts story lives on in the forests it shaped. Dollys story lives on in the millions of lives she touched.Appalachia gave the world both. And the world is better because it did. Read our article Dolly Parton: A Life Rooted In Giving about Dollys work with the Foundation and see how far her generosity reached: https://tacf.org/dolly-parton-a-life-rooted-in-giving/ #dollyparton #news #explore #tribute #countryImage attachmentImage attachment

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

As we mourn the loss of Dolly we should all take a moment in honor of the greatest person ever from East Tennessee in my lifetime. Her never-ending kindness, generosity, creativity, ambition, drive and raw talent will never be forgotten and should be an inspiration to us all.

I love this story!

She was a larger-than-life mountain nymph <3

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This is part two so if you didn't see our last post, go check it out! When blight reached the remaining American chestnuts in Wisconsin's historic stand, the Helming family faced a difficult decision.

Today, those trees live on as part of a display at the National Museum of Forest Service History, where their story will inspire future generations.

Read an exclusive excerpt from an upcoming Chestnut magazine article about the process, and become a member to read the complete story in the next issue.

Click the following link to read: tacf.org/tacf-at-national-museum-forest-history/

#americanchestnut #member #restoration #news #explore
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This is part two so if you didnt see our last post, go check it out! When blight reached the remaining American chestnuts in Wisconsins historic stand, the Helming family faced a difficult decision. Today, those trees live on as part of a display at the National Museum of Forest Service History, where their story will inspire future generations.Read an exclusive excerpt from an upcoming Chestnut magazine article about the process, and become a member to read the complete story in the next issue.Click the following link to read: https://tacf.org/tacf-at-national-museum-forest-history/ #americanchestnut #member #restoration #news #exploreImage attachment

Thank you for doing this! We love opportunities to inspire the next generation 🌰 ... See MoreSee Less

Thank you for doing this! We love opportunities to inspire the next generation 🌰Image attachmentImage attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Way to go Lake!

In 2020, signs of chestnut blight appeared on one of the largest known American chestnut stands in the country, leading to the difficult decision about how to preserve its legacy.

Read the story of this remarkable stand: ivtlogs.com/american-chestnut/

Then follow us for our next post, where we'll share how the remaining trees from this historic stand were harvested to become part of a display at the National Museum of Forest Service History. You'll also get a preview of an upcoming article from our award-winning Chestnut magazine that tells the rest of this bittersweet story.

#explore #news #americanchestnut #hope #newlife
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In 2020, signs of chestnut blight appeared on one of the largest known American chestnut stands in the country, leading to the difficult decision about how to preserve its legacy.Read the story of this remarkable stand: https://ivtlogs.com/american-chestnut/ Then follow us for our next post, where well share how the remaining trees from this historic stand were harvested to become part of a display at the National Museum of Forest Service History. Youll also get a preview of an upcoming article from our award-winning Chestnut magazine that tells the rest of this bittersweet story.#explore #news #americanchestnut #hope #newlife

73 CommentsComment on Facebook

I took over property that has been in my family 200 years. I'm the first to farm it in 100 years. I found two in the back of the property in the holler.

i have a 7/8 american: 1/8 chinese chestnut tree doing very well and has begun to produce chestnuts.

I hate this story. First, to say the trees got a ‘new lease on life’ is a connotative misnomer and disingenuous. A new lease on life would mean that they were saved. What they really got—inevitably, I understand—is a different use in death that allowed someone to make money off their demise. That’s better than letting them rot, but it’s not a happy ending. The fact that the story is written by someone from the timber company, reflecting the point of view of a party to the situation whose motivation is monetary, just ads to the disingenuousness of this story being posted by ACF. Are you conservationists or loggers? The ‘passion for the history’ of the American chestnut time is just a contrivance to make the situation less bleak and depressing. My takeaway is that the last stand of chestnuts is gone and no replacements are arriving anytime soon. From ACF, I want content about progress in bringing chestnut trees back, not a clumsily-glossed-up summary of how someone made money on the last ones we had.

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