The American Chestnut Foundation and the North Carolina/South Carolina TACF Chapter hosted this special event for the public at the NC Arboretum in October.
Many thanks to our sponsor, Warren Wilson College!
Thanks also to the North Carolina Arboretum for allowing us to have this event in their lovely facility.
Documentary showing of “Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut”
Question and answer session following the documentary. by Jon Taylor, Lucinda Wigfield, and Jamie Van Clief.
Speakers included:
Nickole Brown, EcoPoet, Fellow of the Black Earth Institute and President of the Hellbenders Gathering of Poets, “On the Poetry of Trees”
Dr. Eric Griffin, Warren Wilson College, “Patterns and Processes in Forest Biomes: Field and Restoration Work”
Mike Archer, Western Carolina University, “Building Backyard Forest Communities. Invasives, Fire Mitigation, Habitat Enhancement and Forest Structure of Homeowners”
Todd Boera, founder of Fonta Flora Brewery, “Brewing Chestnut Beer”
Nickole Brown, poet
Todd Boera, Fonta Flora Brewery founder
Student Poster Presentations
Student Poster Presentations by:
Mick Williams (University of North Carolina Asheville)
Olivia Wilson (University of North Carolina Asheville)
Zach Anderson (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)
Sky Lu (Clemson University)
Roger Zhang (Clemson University)
Mick Williams by her poster. Second place for her presentation.
Roger Zhang describing his poster to Mick Williams.
Olivia Wilson presenting her poster. Sky Lu, behind, presenting her poster.
The poster presentations were quite professional. Nice job to all! First Place. Sky Lu, Second Place, Mick Williams, and Third Place, Zach Anderson.
Wild American chestnut seedlings for sale.
Hands-on demonstration of shucking chestnuts from burs.
Visitors getting experience shucking chestnuts out of spiny burs, with double gloves.
We want to thank the following organizations that joined us for this event. Great information from each to inform the public about the impact their work does in Western North Carolina.
Tabling Exhibits by: EcoForesters, GreenWorks, Hemlock Restoration Initiative, Riverlink, and Warren Wilson College.
TACF table with American chestnut information. Children’s activities on the front table.
The TACF Staff and volunteers that made this event happen!
