Georgia Chapter

How You Can Help

GA-TACF depends primarily upon its members to support efforts to restore blight-resistant American chestnut trees to our forests. Your annual membership fee supports breeding and education efforts at both the local and national levels. When you join The American Chestnut Foundation, you have joint membership in both the national organization and GA-TACF.

Donate to the GA Chapter

Follow this link to make a donation to the Georgia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.

Become a Member and
Enjoy the Benefits

As a GA resident you will also automatically gain membership in our state chapter, GA-TACF and receive additional chapter benefits including:

  • Announcements concerning local events and volunteer opportunities throughout Georgia.
  • The ability to network with fellow GA-TACF members for information and support.

You may also contact the national office, 828-281-0047, to pay over the phone. Contact us at gachapter@acf.org for questions about membership.

Have you found an American Chestnut tree?

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is initiating a range-wide search for surviving American chestnuts in the forest. GA-TACF is seeking to identify and conserve many new and unique sources — beyond the +/-200 already conserved in our Chapter.

Why?

  • To conserve unique sources of American chestnut genetics in our Germplasm Conservation Orchards (GCOs).
  • To create locally adapted and genetically di-verse populations of blight resistant chestnut trees for restoration.

Join our hunt for the American chestnut

We don’t have the resources to visit all the reported sites to identify trees in person. We count on individuals to play the role of citizen scientist to collect samples and data on the American chestnut and related data.

How to Report a Tree

Georgia Tree Locator Form
Follow the link above and download our Tree Locator Form. If you are unable to download and print the form, contact gachestnut@gmail.com and we will send you a paper copy. Got a smart phone? Check out the TreeSnap App. You can report information and share photos directly with us using this App. We will still require a sample. Be sure to include the treesnap id number when you mail it.

We will confirm the identity of your tree(s) and add them to our Dentatabase — a database of American chestnuts and related species. If the tree is a pure native, we may ask that you send us nuts for our breeding research. If it is not producing when you find it, don’t worry. We will send you a reminder, asking that you contribute nuts if you are able.

Collecting a sample:If you think you have an American chestnut tree, send us a freshly-cut 4-6 inch twig with mature leaves attached. Leaves should be from sunny exposure, if possible.

  • Press leaves between pieces of cardboard to flatten and prevent curling or crushing as they dry. Crushed or bent leaves are harder to analyze, as are leaves that are not freshly collected.
  • To prevent mold, do not put the sample into a plastic bag. Send in a paper envelope.
  • Late Spring or summer is the best time to collect samples for identification purposes.
  • Photographs can help with identification. We are not likely to be able to ID solely from a picture, but it can add to the whole package of understanding your tree.
  • Please be sure to include the Tree Locator Form, so we can keep track of your sample and send you results. This form is vital for our inventory of wild trees.

Submit Sample With Tree Locator Form To:
Dr. Martin Cipollini
Berry College, Department of Biology
2277 Martha Berry Highway
Mount Berry, GA 30149

Want to Volunteer?

Volunteers play a vital role in many facets of our restoration work. They are our ambassadors, representing us at community events throughout Georgia. They are educators giving presentations and sharing the story of the American chestnut with interested groups. They get their hands dirty by helping with orchard, pollination, and harvesting projects during the growing season. There is much work to do and no experience is necessary. Whatever your talent, interest or ability we can use your support as we work to bring back this mighty giant to the Eastern woodland.

Click here for a list of current volunteer positions we are tryng to fill!

What on-going volunteer opportunities are available?

Field help – With over 200 orchard sites and about that many wild trees to track in GA, the growing season is packed with chances to participate in planting, inoculating and harvesting activities. Work is available for all levels of physical ability. This is a great opportunity for people who enjoy working outside and getting involved with the hands-on aspects of our breeding programs.

Event representation – Each year, we attend events all over the state. Members volunteer their time to represent our organization at fairs, expos, festivals, plant sales, etc. Larger events, like Hemlockfest are usually staffed by 2 or more volunteers at a time. These events offer great opportunities to learn the ropes from veteran volunteers.

Speaking events – We receive requests to speak at meetings and events nearly every week, for much of the year. Our volunteers help by agreeing to speak on our behalf, sharing their knowledge with community groups and organizations all over the state. If public speaking is your strength, this might be a good fit for you. This is a great opportunity for people that enjoy speaking in front of groups and sharing their knowledge and experiences with the American chestnut.

Other – If you have experience in marketing, web design, social media, writing, photography, or if you are able to network with like-minded groups, please contact us for some ideas about how you might contribute your unique talents. No experience is required!

How to get started – It’s easy! Email us at gachapter@acf.org to learn more. With your permission, we will add your e-mail address to our contact list, so you will receive announcements about volunteer opportunities.

Watch your email, our webpage News, or follow us on Facebook for timely reminders.

Georgia Chapter Menu

Georgia Facebook

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

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
... See MoreSee Less

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 FoundationImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

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/
... See MoreSee Less

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 days 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 Sundays 40th Anniversary event at Best End Brewing in Atlanta, 2 - 6 pm.  Read more here: https://tacf.org/ga-news/40th-anniversary-celebration-best-end-brewing-atl/Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment

Photos from The American Chestnut Foundation's post ... See MoreSee Less

Image attachment
Load more

Latest News

40th Anniversary Celebration: Best End Brewing Atlanta, GA

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...

read more
GA-TACF Annual Meeting May 13 2023

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...

read more
GA-TACF Science Progress 2022

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...

read more