Connecticut news

New Regional Science Coordinator Announced

Leila Pinchot has been the TACF Regional Science Coordinator for two years (May 2006) and has recently decided to pursue a PhD program at University of Tennessee, working with Dr. Scott Schlarbaum and Dr. Stacy Clark on a project that will include chestnut silviculture. Leila will make the shift from Yale to Knoxville in mid July.

Kendra Gurney, recent graduate of University of Vermont-MS in Natural Resources with a forestry concentration-will be joining our staff in mid-May for a smooth transition with Leila in the New England Science Coordinator position.

Kendra's research was on American chestnut restoration, working with Dr. Paul Schaberg of the USDAFS field station in Burlington, VT. Kendra was also instrumental in the formation of the NH/VT-15th state chapter of TACF. Kendra grew up on the NH seacoast and received her BS in Environmental Conservation Science with a self-designed minor in plant and forest health.

While we will miss Leila terribly, we whole-heartedly welcome Kendra to the New England Regional Science Coordinator position, and look forward to dong all sort of wonderful work with Kendra, restoring the chestnut, over the coming years.

Kendra Gurney hugging an American chestnut tree – Photo taken by Leila Pinchot

Leila Pinchot planting pitch pine at Greeley Labs. Leila will be leaving the position at TACF mid-summer and moving to Tennessee to pursue her PhD – Photo taken by Star Childs

Connecticut news Chapter Menu

National Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

This summer, we’re aiming to produce 1,000 hand-pollinated nuts for our genomic-assisted breeding program, and each one is a vital step toward restoring the American chestnut.

Producing a single nut takes time, tools, and teamwork. From pollination to harvest, every step is a vital part of the process to ensure that each nut has the best chance possible to grow into a more blight-resistant tree.

Here’s what goes into a single $25 nut:

Pollination Bag: $5
Hand Pollination Process: $5
Harvesting the Nut: $5
Shucking & Storing: $5
Equipment & Fuel: $5
Total per Nut: $25

By supporting just one nut, you’re helping us bring the American chestnut back to our forests. Support a handful, and you’re helping to rebuild an entire ecosystem.

This nutty campaign only runs from June 3 to 23, and we’ve got 1,000 nuts to grow. Join us!
support.tacf.org/nuts
... See MoreSee Less

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Can you advise on the percentage of success of these nuts to generating a nut producing tree? I’m working on restoring 80 acres and would like to attempt to have some American dominant gene trees on the property that produce nuts but don’t want to take the risk of $100 for four nuts to only find out the percentage of success is still relatively small. Sorry for the likely noob question

Today while mowing I spotted what appears to be a Horse Chestnut. Can anyone give me some feedback?

👍 ... See MoreSee Less

👍Image attachmentImage attachment

There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.

The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the 'American Chestnut' sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.

The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.
... See MoreSee Less

There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the American Chestnut sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.

What an incredible tree the American chestnut was! As The American Chestnut Foundations continues its decades-long work to restore this species, we welcome you to join the cause!

Become a member, volunteer with your local chapter, or simply spread the word about this incredible tree. Visit support.tacf.org/membership to get started.
... See MoreSee Less

15 CommentsComment on Facebook

They can bring back a dead wolf from hundreds of years ago but they won’t bring back something useful like the American chestnut

I still have my audubon society, saying my chestnut tree horse chestnut, it had the largest girth in the state of michigan... The tree is gone, but the stump is still standing there.Proud.

And they are all gone because of humans

View more comments

Isn't nature amazing? ... See MoreSee Less

Isnt nature amazing?
Load more

Subscribe to the CT Chapter Newsletter

* indicates required