About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests.
The Georgia Chapter was founded to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests by assisting the national foundation in its propagation efforts, by promoting public awareness through education and by supporting the scientific research efforts of TACF directed at restoring American chestnuts.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President – Dr. Martin Cipollini
Vice President – Jack Rogers
Secretary – Scott Laseter
Treasurer – Vince Payne
Science Coordinator – Dr. Martin Cipollini
Honorary Director – Mary Belle Price (posthumously)
Additional Board Members
Dr. Scott Merkle
Ana Metaxas
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Kylie Stover
David Keehn
Scott Laseter
Brian Williams
James Wentworth
Partnerships
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and the Georgia Chapter (GaTACF) seek out partners that will not only help further its chestnut restoration program but also bring attention to the importance of the chestnut in American history. These partners include major universities, private foundations and businesses, as well as state and federal government agencies. With plantings at high-profile sites such as the Carter Center, Callaway Gardens Preserve, and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Project, GaTACF has been able to attract significant support from many partners throughout Georgia.
Each of our partners offers a unique perspective on chestnut restoration and gives GaTACF the best possible opportunity to be successful in its efforts to bring the American chestnut back to the forests of Georgia.
Georgia TACF Partner Organizations
- Atlanta History Center
- Berry College
- Bittersweet Gardens
- Bottletree Bees
- Byron Herbert Reece Farm & Heritage Center
- Carter Center
- Charlane Plantation
- Cloudland Vineyards
- Dalton State College
- Douglas County
- Elachee Nature Science Center
- Friends of Smithgall Woods State Park
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Georgia State Parks
- Georgia Forestry Commission
- Georgia Governor’s Mansion
- Georgia Piedmont Land Trust
- Georgia State Botanical Garden
- Kennesaw State University (Research Farm)
- Kistner Center
- North Georgia Canopy Tours
- Pettit Environmental Center
- Rabun Gap Nacoochee School
- Reinhardt University
- Rising Fawn Gardens
- Runnin’ Wild Farms
- Smith-Gilbert Gardens
- The Blueberry Farm
- The Callaway Gardens Preserve
- The Carter Center
- Cherokee County Recreation & Parks
- Sandy Creek Nature Center
- The University of Georgia (UGA) Horticultural Farm
- The UGA Mountain Research & Education Center (GMREC)
- The UGA Warnell School of Forestry
- The Southern Company (Georgia Power)
- Toccoa Falls College
- Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum
- University of North Georgia
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S.D.A. Forest Service
- Vogel State Park
- Young Harris College
FOR OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE WISH TO THANK
- Ailene Phillips Trust
- Dr. Austin Flint
- Berry College
- Eleanor & Tom Ratchford
- Georgia Appalachian Regional Commission
- Georgia State Specialty Crops Grant
- Lumpkin Coalition/Hemlockfest
- Dr. Martin Cipollini & Kathryn Patrick
- Mary Belle Price
- Rome Rotary Clubs
- Temple-Inland Foundation
- Urban & Community Forestry Commission
Georgia Chapter Menu
Georgia Facebook
Hello Georgia Chestnut Enthusiasts! Another volunteer opportunity... this one is pretty urgent.
We need your help with an upgrade to our chestnut orchard in Dahlonega. Hurricane Creek is a collaborative project with the University of North Georgia Biology Department and is being used to test for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi (black root rot disease). The orchard is progressing well, with over 100 trees in place, but we have been unsuccessful keeping the deer at bay with our electric fence. We have decided it's time to install a deer exclusion fence, similar that used at our Flint and Richards orchards. Please let us know if you can join us on for a morning shift or two to help install the fence - see dates and times. The fence goes up pretty easily and no special skills are needed. We'll provide all materials and tools, along with water and snacks.
If you can help out, please bring the following:
Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Work gloves.
Water, sack lunch if desired.
Because of the heat, we'll get started each day at 8AM, and work until the heat runs us off.
Hurricane Creek is located on GA Highway 9, between Dawsonville and Dahlonega. The address is 3990 Dawsonville Hwy, Dahlonega GA, 30597. On Google Maps, maps.app.goo.gl/eTMeKLwPBEtqi2y76.
Below are the shifts for volunteers for the fence installation. Please use this link to sign up (orchard maintenance tab): theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90470
Friday, 7/25/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), site prep work, install corner posts, layout posts, clear brush in a few areas, relocate some of the existing electric fence.
Saturday, 7/26/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install posts, layout tarp between posts, install top polyline, install fence fabric, install bottom fabric anchors, install door.
Sunday, 7/27/2025, 8AM - noon(ish), install bottom 2' mesh, finish up.
The American Chestnut Foundation
UNG - University of North Georgia
1 CommentComment on Facebook
We could really use some help with this folks! Please consider signing up for a shift. The work installing this type of fence is not that difficult, but we can definitely use some extra hands.
Hello Chestnutters!
On Thursday July 17 there will be a small stem assay workshop at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Fortwood Street Greenhouse. This workshop will demonstrate how TACF tests young seedlings for blight resistance. A good number of these seedlings are from our GA breeding orchards. UTC's Dr. J Hill Craddock is looking for 10 interested participants/volunteers. No experience necessary! Please read more and sign up via this link: theamericanchestnutfoundation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=90486
Martin Cipollini GA-TACF
The American Chestnut Foundation
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last week under the leadership of Karrie Ann Fadroski and Jack Rogers, another orchard work day was held at UNG's Hurricane Creek chestnut orchard. This is the site where about 100 trees were planted via direct-seeding in March. This relatively new project is a site where trees are being evaluated for their resistance to Phytophthora root rot (PRR), a devastating root rot disease sometimes called black root rot or black ink disease. Part of this round of work included weed control and part was maintenance of the electric deer fence.
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