TACF in the News

Media Stories About The American Chestnut Foundation

For more than four decades, The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) has led the effort to restore the iconic American chestnut tree, uniting advanced scientific research with the strength of a dedicated network of chapters and partners across the eastern United States. This page highlights media coverage showcasing TACF’s pioneering work and enduring commitment to one of the most significant ecological restoration projects of our time.

illustration of newspaper with headline TACF IN THE NEWS

Newspaper & Magazine Articles

Featured Article

Science

Date: February 12, 2026

Title: Genomic approaches to accelerate American chestnut restoration

Excerpt: “American chestnuts are functionally extinct owing to the widespread impact of chestnut blight. Westbrook et al. evaluated historic and ongoing breeding programs largely aimed at intercrossing susceptible trees with a resistant Asian species. The complex genetic architecture of disease resistance means that recurrent selection is likely to be more effective than backcrossing.” Read here.

screenshot of Science article by Jared Westbrook et al 2026

Genomic approaches to accelerate American chestnut restoration
Science (2/12/2026)

The lore of the American chestnut tree in WNC
AVL Today (1/29/2026)

A new Maine orchard aims to help bring back American chestnut trees
Bangor Daily News (1/4/2026)

Dear New York, the American chestnut is back, and it’s on your block
Time Out New York (12/20/2025)

Nearly a Century Ago, American Chestnut Trees Died Off. Now, Hikers Can Walk Among Them Again.
Backpacker (10/22/2025)

For the first time in decades, hikers can walk in forests of mature, wild American chestnuts
Garden and Gun (7/24/2025)

This isn’t a gimmick’: the New Yorkers trying to restore the American chestnut
The Guardian (6/19/2025)

The Problem With Darling 58: The fight to save America’s iconic tree has become a civil war
New York Magazine, Intelligencer (5/27/2024)

Genetic engineering was meant to save chestnut trees. Then there was a mistake.
The Washington Post (12/24/2023)

The American Chestnut Foundation: Restoring a Foundational Eastern Tree Species
The Laurel of Asheville (11/18/2023)

Television & Video

Featured Program

Human Footprint on PBS

Date: July 30, 2025

Title: Vanishing Act (Season 2, Episode 6)

Excerpt: The American Chestnut Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the American chestnut back to its original range. American chestnuts once numbered in the billions. They sustained wildlife– from deer to turkey, and black bears to passenger pigeons– and they were the foundation for an entire subsistence culture in Appalachia. Watch here.

screenshot of the TV show Human Footprint on PBS featuring TACF

The American Chestnut – More than Something to Roast on an Open Fire
Across the Fence, University of Vermont Extension (12/23/2025)

Vanishing Act
Human Footprint, PBS. Season 2: Episode 6 (7/30/2025)

Ice Fishing and American Chestnut (available on Roku, MOTV, AppleTV, and more)
WildFed, Outdoor Channel. Season 5: Episode 10 (12/2024)

Restoration of the American Chestnut
Across the Fence, University of Vermont Extension (12/14/2023)

Working to Bring Back the American Chestnut
WHTM Harrisburg, PA (10/4/2023)

Podcasts & Radio

Featured Episode

Naturally Scott

Title: E34 – Michael Goergen — Saving the American Chestnut, Genetics, Hope & the Future of America’s Forests

Date: December 1, 2025

Excerpt: In E34, Scott sits down with Michael Goergen, President & CEO of the American Chestnut Foundation, for a powerful and deeply hopeful conversation about restoring one of America’s most important lost trees — the American Chestnut. Listen here or watch on YouTube.