Carolinas News

Mountain Science Expo, NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC, April 25, 2026

The NC/SC Chapter for TACF was invited to participate in the Mountain Science Expo this year. The Expo gives children an opportunity to experience science in person. This year, ecoEXPLORE, a community science organization for 5-13 year old children, visited our table for a discussion about the American chestnut with young participants and their parents.  They were focusing on botany and learning about research and careers in the biological sciences.

The Expo was a great success. This two day event had 1,888 attendees, more than 32 STEM professionals, and 25 tabling organizations. Our Chapter was honored to participate again this year.

The display table for the American Chestnut Foundation.

The display table for the American Chestnut Foundation. Ralph Crisp, Christine Oglesby, TACF Director of Operations and Engagement, Dawn Wilson, and Peggy MacDonald provided information about the American chestnut and directed art activities for this event.

Dawn holding up a leaf rubbing example to engage the children in this art activity.

Dawn holding up a leaf rubbing example to engage the children in this art activity.

 

Charlie Chestnut colored in nicely by a participant.

Charlie Chestnut colored in nicely by a participant.

 

Beautiful leaf rubbing coloring by a young artist.

Beautiful leaf rubbing coloring by a young artist.

 

Another great job of a leaf rubbing of a chestnut leaf.

Another great job of a leaf rubbing of a chestnut leaf.

 

A young artist, doing a leaf rubbing with help from a parent, holding the paper still, while he colors.

A young artist, doing a leaf rubbing with help from a parent, holding the paper still, while he colors.

 

EJ Dwigans from the North Carolina Forest Service, Holmes Educational Forest provided a microscope to observe nature items (and their hand) up close. He was promoting fire safety and programs available at the Holmes Forest in Hendersonville.

EJ Dwigans from the North Carolina Forest Service, Holmes Educational Forest provided a microscope to observe nature items (and their hand) up close. He was promoting fire safety and programs available at the Holmes Forest in Hendersonville.

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June is packed with activities! There are numerous provisional field work projects that haven’t yet been added to the Event Calendar. If you’re interested in participating in your Chapter's planting, pollination, and various field tasks, please contact them to express your enthusiasm. Additionally, consider subscribing to their newsletter, which regularly provides updates on upcoming events.

Check out our event calendar: tacf.org/events/category/tacf/

#events #fieldwork #americanchestnut #nonprofit #volunteer
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June is packed with activities! There are numerous provisional field work projects that haven’t yet been added to the Event Calendar. If you’re interested in participating in your Chapters planting, pollination, and various field tasks, please contact them to express your enthusiasm. Additionally, consider subscribing to their newsletter, which regularly provides updates on upcoming events.Check out our event calendar: https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/#events #fieldwork #americanchestnut #nonprofit #volunteerImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Barbara Stovall

The USDA has announced its desire to shut down or repurpose the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), putting TACF’s important chestnut orchard at risk.

This orchard is especially valuable because the trees are growing in soil naturally affected by Phytophthora root rot (PRR), allowing researchers to evaluate disease resistance under real-world conditions. It includes predominantly American chestnut hybrids that have shown promising resistance and could soon provide a vital source of seed for restoration efforts.

We are asking members and volunteers to contact their representatives in Congress and urge continued access to BARC to help preserve this irreplaceable research and restoration resource.

#americanchestnut #contactcongress #calltoaction #conservation #environment
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Does the blight that affects the American chestnut live in the soil or is it airborne? I own several acres that once was a surface coal mine. The reclaimed soil is void of microbes (some consider it sterile). Empress trees grow on it, as well as many native species that don’t do so well in a mature forest. I’d like to try chestnut but not sure if it’s worth the investment.

That is a Chinese chestnut not an American chestnut

I hope they keep it open. These orchard are so important for forest restoration efforts. I created one for Butternut.

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It was so much fun to get out and nature and be a part of a community. Volunteer and check out events with your state Chapter to see what you have been missing!

Click the link in our bio to visit the "Volunteer" and "Events Calendar" links under "Get Engaged"

#explore #getinvolved #volunteer #americanchestnut #conservation
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Excellent, Maryland TACF, Maryland Maryland Chestnut Festival

Have you been wanting to learn more about chestnut blight? I thought so!

Check out the article: www.aol.com/lifestyle/orange-gashes-tree-bark-023000711.html

#americanchestnut #explore #restoration #nature #news
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Have you been wanting to learn more about chestnut blight? I thought so! Check out the article:  https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/orange-gashes-tree-bark-023000711.html #americanchestnut #explore #restoration #nature #news

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That's just Bigfoot pruning around

Amazing work being done by the West Virginia Chapter! ... See MoreSee Less

Amazing work being done by the West Virginia Chapter!Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Well done West Virginia TACF Chapter !!! * * * *

Thank you!

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