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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Last week, staff at TACF’s national office in Asheville joined Carolinas Chapter President Peggy McDonald, husband Bob, and Chapter board member Jon Taylor for a hike at Albert Mountain in Western NC to visit wild American chestnut trees in search of flowering catkins.

During their venture, the team also came across a few cool amphibians: a red-legged salamander, which only inhabits portions of the southern Appalachian Mountains, and a red-spotted newt, which is much more common, but its brilliant red is stunning!

Of course, the biggest thrill was seeing large surviving chestnut trees and, as the day wrapped up, collecting some beautiful catkins that were high in the canopy of a tree on the way down the mountain. Pollen collected from the catkins will be used in TACF’s southern region breeding program.

#hike #nature #getoutside #americanchestnut #pollination
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4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Ils sont en fleur au Québec aussi, ça fait du bien de les voir grandir.

Fantastic

what pole was that!?

Trying to figure out if you found an American chestnut or a Chinese chestnut? These identifiers should help!

#explore #forestry #education #americanchestnut #conservation
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3 CommentsComment on Facebook

I love it when the music is up front and the narration is in the background. Awesome.

BeeKeeper Mango

Every business in every city should have to plant a tree every year as part of their yearly licensing.

Very informative! ... See MoreSee Less

Very informative!Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Mary Armentrout-Acord

Do you have a favorite nature quote?

#explore #americanchestnut #nature #quote #restoration
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2 CommentsComment on Facebook

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” Henry David Thoreau

Im hoping to see this in my lifetime

Chestnuts look so beautiful during pollination season, their catkins (the yellow fuzzy blossoms) are often described as fireworks. 🌰 🎇

Which image is your favorite?

#americanchestnut #fieldwork #nature #pollination #explore
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Chestnuts look so beautiful during pollination season, their catkins (the yellow fuzzy blossoms) are often described as fireworks. 🌰 🎇 Which image is your favorite?#americanchestnut #fieldwork #nature #pollination #exploreImage attachmentImage attachment+5Image attachment

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Catkins in my yard are buzzing with bees!

Wow. Way more explosive looking than the European chestnuts. Beekeepers should be all over that. It’s the most distinct honey I’ve ever had.  As for the aroma… Well… Enough said.

I have tended those trees. MD TACF, join us!

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