TACF Honors the Winners of the 2025 Volunteer and Partner Service Awards

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) honors outstanding volunteer community builders and pillars across its network of 16 state chapters, as well as the vital partners who support and participate in the Foundation’s restoration efforts. Each year, TACF’s staff Awards Committee reviews nominations and selects one volunteer from each of its four regions, along with four partner recipients: individuals and organizations that consistently go above and beyond to advance TACF’s mission and vision. Below are the names and descriptions of the 2025 volunteer and partner award recipients whose dedication and leadership are making a palpable difference today for tomorrow’s restoration of the American chestnut.

Volunteer Service Awards

Dr. Florian Carle, CT Chapter

Nominator: Jack Swatt, CT Chapter President

Florian is one of those volunteers who seems to elevate everything he touches. As Research Coordinator in the CT Chapter, he has strengthened local research efforts, supported community science, and helped bring in new members—especially students and early-career scientists. He also has a true gift for sharing what he’s learning, from field notes to opportunities to get involved. His enthusiasm, organization, and willingness to jump in make him an invaluable part of TACF and the CT Chapter’s chestnut community.

Mark Double, WV Chapter

Nominator: Brian Smith, WV Chapter

Brian describes Mark as “the heart of the West Virginia Chapter.” Mark has had a hand in nearly every component of the Chapter’s work, such as maintaining orchards, helping with pollinations and harvests, keeping everyone connected, and ensuring things run smoothly behind the scenes. Mark is someone you can always count on: reliable, kind, and ready to lend a hand or offer guidance. His steady commitment sets a great example for volunteer leadership across TACF.

Dr. Han Chuan Ong, Professor of Biology at King University

Nominator: Dr. Vasiliy Lakoba, TACF Director of Research & Restoration – Meadowview Research Farms

Han volunteers at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms and brings a wonderful blend of scientific expertise and genuine community engagement. Han is deeply committed to outreach and education, especially through teaching and mentoring students. He actively participates in research and public engagement, an essential combination for TACF’s future successes. Han helps people of all ages connect with the mission, and his integrity, social intelligence, and generosity make his contributions especially meaningful.

Jeff White, MD Chapter

Nominator: Cassie Stark, TACF Director of Science Implementation

Jeff is known for being energetic, forward-thinking, and always ready to pitch in. He helps with everything from fieldwork and outreach to identifying American chestnut trees, assisting with pollinations and harvests, and supporting scientific tasks like small-stem assays. Jeff also brings a thoughtful, collaborative mindset to planning and public engagement. His mix of practical skills, enthusiasm, and leadership has made a significant impact on the progress of the MD Chapter.

Partner Service Awards

Kentucky Division of Forestry (Charlie Saunders)

Nominator: Ken Darnell, KY Chapter President

The Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) is a dedicated and long-standing partner to the KY Chapter. KDF provides land, maintenance, and field support for several orchards at their Morgan County Tree Nursery, helping with plantings, pollinations, harvests, mowing, and seedling care. They also bring interns into the work, collaborate on research with the US Forest Service, and help locate wild American chestnut trees across the state. Their team is efficient, knowledgeable, and committed to restoration. This partnership has become essential for chestnut recovery in Kentucky.

New London, New Hampshire Conservation Commission (Bob Brown & Mike Gelcius)

Nominator: Evan Fox, VT/NH Chapter President

The New London, New Hampshire Conservation Commission is a strong and reliable partner to the VT/NH Chapter, maintaining chestnut plantings on three public properties and providing educational signage that reaches the broader community. Their volunteers regularly plant trees, maintain them, report results, and participate in joint TACF workdays, which have boosted the Chapter’s capacity. Their recent greenhouse partnerships have dramatically improved seedling success and inspired neighboring towns to initiate their own chestnut projects. This collaboration has become a cornerstone of the Chapter’s restoration work.

Sweetbay Brewing Company (Patrick Atkins)

Nominator: Lucinda Wigfield, TACF Orchard Manager – Meadowview Research Farms

Sweetbay Brewing Company in Abingdon, VA, has been a spirited and creative partner to Meadowview Research Farms, especially through its Chestnuts Roasting & Christmas Market events, which celebrate American chestnuts, chestnut-inspired brews, and the restoration efforts. These events have helped introduce TACF’s mission to a wider audience in Southwest VA and sparked local enthusiasm. Patrick’s interest in plant conservation and Sweetbay’s focus on botanical ingredients reinforce this connection and get people talking. Their support makes them an excellent community partner in chestnut restoration.

HudsonAlpha (Dr. John Lovell)

Nominator: Dr. Jared Westbrook, TACF Director of Science

For the past five years, John has been a key collaborator on a major genomic research paper that is now in its final revision for Science. His expertise, thoughtful analysis, and steady leadership were essential in shaping a project that will significantly strengthen TACF’s scientific foundation. The development of this paper took five years, and John offered support and expert advice throughout the process. His outstanding scientific leadership and commitment to restoring the American chestnut have been exceptional.