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Volunteer Opportunities
Outreach - we have several outreach events coming up later this month and in April. If you would like to help us spread our message to the public at any of these events please contact us. Outreach Coordinator - we are in need of a member to help coordinate volunteers...
CHESTNUT HARVEST SCHEDULE
CHESTNUT HARVESTING September 16th through September 23 Due to time constraints on my schedule this year, my time this harvest season will be limited. If anyone would like to help harvest burs during the last two weeks of September, please let us know. We will be...
Germplasm Conservation Orchard Planting Schedule
Germplasm Conservation Orchard Planting Schedule Volunteers are needed to help plant American Chestnut seeds in our Germplasm Conservation Orchards this month. Given the tremendous harvest we had last fall, we will need help in getting those nuts planted in the...
CT-TACF Nominating Committee Report
The CT-TACF Nominating Committee of Jane Harris, Bill Adamsen and John Baker are recommending the following candidates for the Board of Directors and Chapter Officers for 2022: 1. Nominations for the Board of Directors with a term ending in 2023: Renee Allen...
Nancy Spofford Yerkes Foundation makes gift to support the American Chestnut Orchards in Connecticut
The American Chestnut Foundation announced today a gift by the Nancy Spofford Yerkes Foundation, Inc to support our chapter for continued planting and monitoring of the American Chestnuts in Connecticut. Given the tremendous American chestnut harvest we had last fall...
The 2022 edition of “The New Leaf” is out
The 2022 edition of "The New Leaf", CT-TACF Chapter annual newsletter, is now available online here! A printed version is currently making its way to the mailboxes of all the CT members. This Winter/Spring 2022 Newsletter focuses on our Chestnut show-and-tell all over...
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There’s nothing quite like the first signs of life in the nursery; our chestnut seedlings are officially emerging! After weeks of careful stratification, planting, and patience, we’re starting to see those first tender shoots break through the soil. Early seedling emergence is a critical stage, showing us that germination was successful and that strong root systems are beginning to establish beneath the surface. These seedlings will be used for our Recurrent Genomic Selection program, including future seed orchards, progeny tests, small stem assays, phytophthora root rot screening. Here’s to healthy growth, strong roots, and a thriving season ahead! #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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Grafting is one of the tools we use to conserve large, surviving American chestnut germplasm and ensure it isn’t lost. By grafting scion from important trees onto compatible rootstock, we can preserve valuable genetics and share this germplasm across regions. This work allows exceptional trees to live on in multiple locations, supporting research, restoration, and collaboration while safeguarding the diversity of the American chestnut for the future.
#AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience
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Our Director of Science, Jared Westbrook, was interviewed by Ira Flatow, founder and host of Science Friday, for their podcast. The episode is now available: www.sciencefriday.com/segments/restoring-american-chestnut-tree/
On Science Friday, Jared discusses the multiple approaches taken to improve blight resistance in American chestnut trees, TACF’s recurrent genomic selection program as our main engine for restoration, and what successful restoration looks like.
#americanchestnut #sciencefriday #science #restoration #explorepage #conservation
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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 connection and representation matter.
Today we’re highlighting Hattie Carthan, who fought against the impacts of redlining and disinvestment by mobilizing her Bed‑Stuy community to restore its trees and protect a landmark magnolia. Her legacy shows that restoration starts with us, an idea at the heart of our work to revive the American chestnut.
Read more about Hattie Carthan: tacf.org/black-history-and-the-american-chestnut/
#blackhistorymonth #americanchestnut #treestagram #explorepage #nature
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So trees DO grow in Brooklyn again?!
Our air pruning bed was constructed in early 2025 and has since been growing hybrid chestnuts that play an important role in our grafting work. Air pruning beds allow us to grow strong, well-branched root systems and make it easy to access high-quality rootstock for grafting. MRF staff are currently grafting using the root stock from trees that were grown in this air pruning bed, so stay tuned to learn more about it next week!
#americanchestnut #restorationinprogress #chestnutresearch #forestrestoration #meadowviewresearchfarms #conservationscience
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