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.

Carolinas News Chapter Menu

National Facebook

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

A wild American chestnut is always a sight to see, especially one with a healed canker.

Have you found any wild American chestnuts?

#americanchestnut #nature #envrionment #blight #explore
... See MoreSee Less

13 CommentsComment on Facebook

Quite a few around us in CT, but none that big. I assume what we are seeing are stump sprouts.

God, I hope it has developed genetic resistance and passes that on. I want to live in a world full of American Chestnuts and Elms again

At my art residency in WV there was an American chestnut tree in their yard! I cried! I collected some of the seed pods

View more comments

Every season tells a story… 🌰

Maybe it’s a chipmunk on the run, a chestnut sprouting new life, or snow dusting winter leaves. However you see it, we want you to capture it. The 2026 American Chestnut Photo Contest is open!

📸 Submit up to 5 photos
🏆 Chance to win TACF gear + a feature in Chestnut magazine + Seed Level membership
🗓️ Entries due December 31, 2026

Your next hike could lead to the winning shot.

Submit photos to: gro.fcat@snoitacinummoc

Visit the following link for more information: tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/

#naturelovers #americanchestnut #photographycontest #exploremore #photography
... See MoreSee Less

Every season tells a story… 🌰Maybe it’s a chipmunk on the run, a chestnut sprouting new life, or snow dusting winter leaves. However you see it, we want you to capture it. The 2026 American Chestnut Photo Contest is open!📸 Submit up to 5 photos🏆 Chance to win TACF gear + a feature in Chestnut magazine + Seed Level   membership🗓️ Entries due December 31, 2026Your next hike could lead to the winning shot.Submit photos to: communications@tacf.orgVisit the following link for more information: https://tacf.org/2026-photo-contest/#naturelovers #americanchestnut #photographycontest #exploremore #photographyImage attachment

Visit www.williamsondailynews.com/opinion/appalachian-bluebird-when-the-forests-were-brought-down-the-m... to explore this article on the historic logging industry, the significance of American chestnuts within it, and the methods used to transport logs from the mountains.

#americanchestnut #news #logging #history #explore
... See MoreSee Less

Visit https://www.williamsondailynews.com/opinion/appalachian-bluebird-when-the-forests-were-brought-down-the-mountain/article_2f171b21-7152-50ab-9767-4c52aff55471.html to explore this article on the historic logging industry, the significance of American chestnuts within it, and the methods used to transport logs from the mountains. #americanchestnut #news #logging #history #explore

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Raping the earth really noble 🤬

Check out this reel by the Seed Crown Company! They are testing whether Seed Crown shelters can help with direct seeding chestnuts in a forest setting.

In this video, Scott Laseter heads out to a montane longleaf restoration area on Georgia's Pine Mountain for the first tally of a direct seeding trial for American chestnuts.
... See MoreSee Less

Check out this informative short video by the Georgia Chapter! It shows you how we process catkins and store pollen for chestnut breeding. ... See MoreSee Less

Video image
Load more