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
Jack Rogers
Vice President
Kathy Patrick
Secretary
Zach Felix
Treasurer
Vince Payne
Tree Breeding/Preservation (Science Coordinator)
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Honorary Director
Mary Belle Price (posthumously)
Board Members
Tim Chesnut
Dr. Zach Felix
Dr. Scott Merkle
Ana Metaxas
Dr. Caitlin Conn
Taryn Heidel
David Keehn
David Green
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
J. Louis Durand, who worked on the American chestnut project with GA-TACF this summer, is a journalism major at Berry College. Louis put together this mini-documentary video for Viking Fusion, the college's on-line Multimedia website. Please check it out to learn more about what we do, and please share!
The Blight Plight of the American Chestnut
vikingfusion.com/2023/12/01/the-blight-plight-of-the-american-chestnut/
The American Chestnut Foundation
The Blight Plight of the American Chestnut
vikingfusion.com
In this mini-documentary, Viking Fusion news reporter Louis Durand investigates how researchers at Berry and in the Southeast region are combating against the endangered status of American Chestnut…0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This past week, GA-TACF volunteers have engaged in a variety of public outreach and social events, starting with Dr. Martin Cipollini’s presentation at the Rotary Club in Rome. Rome Rotary has been a significant contributor to our work over the last couple of years and we’ve been very thankful for their support. Accompanying him was Vice President and TACF Volunteer of the Year Kathy Patrick (also his wife). A short article from Rotary’s Windmill newsletter is included as well as one of Kathy receiving her award at last month’s TACF meeting in TN.
Next up was Jack and Patty Rogers staffing an educational display at the Scouts BSA Conservation Weekend on Saturday November 11 in Blairsville. Jack and Patty had a great time sharing our work with the scouts and their leaders. The visit was coordinated by Chris Johnson, 2023 Conservation Weekend Midway Coordinator.
As some of you might know, we also had our 40th Anniversary Celebration at Best End Brewing in Atlanta on Sunday November 12. Rome area singer/songwriter David Bell provided the entertainment, and Kathy Patrick provided the chestnut blondies – both of which were huge hits! We had nearly 50 attendees, most of whom were new to our organization. We gave away about 40 chestnut seedlings to those donating or joining our organization. A lively group (thanks to yummy Best End beer) had a really nice time and great conversations happened all around. A few folks even acted like nuts… Look for more social events such as these to come early next year.
Lastly (but sorry, we got no photos of this one), on Tuesday, Dr. Cipollini led a visit by Douglas County’s Alexander High School FFA club to Berry College’s chestnut nursery and orchards. Encouraged by long-time Douglas County resident Dot Padgett and her local group of chestnut enthusiasts, these students are learning how to plant and care for chestnuts on the school property. Teacher Ryan Bragg organized the visit and Dr. Cipollini fielded lots of great questions from the students. They went home with nine more seedlings to add to their site. The American Chestnut Foundation
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This past Tuesday, about 15 volunteers happily showed up to plant about 100 chestnut seedlings at the Flint phytophthora research orchard site, a project done in collaboration with GA-TACF, Reinhardt University, and the landowner Dr. Austin Flint. Having nice groups like this makes for easy work and more time for fun and learning. Here are some pics of the day's activities. Many thanks to all who were involved! The American Chestnut Foundation
To learn more about what we do and how to become involved, please come to this Sunday's 40th Anniversary event at Best End Brewing in Atlanta, 2 - 6 pm. Read more here: tacf.org/ga-news/40th-anniversary-celebration-best-end-brewing-atl/
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Latest News
40th Anniversary Celebration: Best End Brewing Atlanta, GA
Help us celebrate the 40th anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation! Best End Brewing Sunday, November 12, 2 – 6 PM 1036 White Street Atlanta, GA 30310 Live Music! Cool American chestnut merch! American chestnuts to grow! Prizes! Great Best End beer and food...
GA-TACF Annual Meeting May 13 2023
Calling all Georgia American Chestnut enthusiasts! The Georgia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (GA-TACF) will hold its annual state meeting on May 13th, 2023, in Dahlonega. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia Health and Natural...
GA-TACF Science Progress 2022
2022 was a very productive year for the Georgia chapter of TACF and its many citizen volunteers. Here is a quick summary of progress, starting with a summary of what we've been able to accomplish in the breeding program since 2006. Seed type Crosses American chestnut...