About Us
Our Mission
The Ohio Chapter was founded primarily to bring about the restoration of the American chestnut throughout the hardwood forests of Ohio, where it once flourished. We work with the National Foundation to advance research, education, and public awareness of this important tree species. The Ohio Chapter implements this mission by education and research. Education would include projects such as establish demonstration plantings to acquaint people with the American chestnut and the blight that has almost eliminated by the blight, providing material for education, provide grants to support demonstration plantings and presenting information at appropriate forums. Research would include mine restoration plantings with American chestnuts, reforestation projects including American chestnut, test plantings of hybrid American chestnuts, finding and document surviving American chestnuts in Ohio, and supporting chestnut research in Ohio with grants.
American Chestnut in Ohio
The range of the American Chestnut was mostly restricted to the glaciated and unglaciated Appalachian Plateau region In Ohio. This is roughly the eastern half of the state. The chestnut grew mostly as part of the oak hickory forests and constituted 10-20% of the forests in eastern Ohio. They reached3-4’ DBH. Since Ohio is in the western part of the range the of the tree the blight did not completely decimate the chestnut in Ohio until the early 1940’s. Some large snags persisted for awhile but now almost the only thing left are root sprouts in the understory of the forest and ODNR now lists the American Chestnut as extirpated in Ohio.
Ohio Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
The Ohio Chapter of the American Chestnut foundation was established in 2005. The mission of the Ohio Chapter is to support the goals of the TACF through research and education to restore the American Chestnut to its former glory. Education includes demonstration projects to increase awareness, presentations, and publications on the American Chestnut. Research efforts include restoration projects, finding surviving trees in Ohio, and sponsoring research supporting the restoration of the American Chestnut in Ohio and throughout its range.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Stephen Rist
Ohio DNR Division of Forestry
Email: ro.fcat@retpahcho
VICE PRESIDENT
Bruce Willis
TREASURER
Greg Chopko
SECRETARY
Ryan Homsher
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dale Angerman
John Caruso
Dr. Bob Clark
Dr. Carolyn Howes Keiffer
Kirsten Lehtoma
Brian McCarthy
Dr. Greg Miller
Tom Mills
Chestnut Links
Chestnut Specific Resources
Ohio Woodland Journal Summer 2021 Page 12
USDA PLANTS Profile for Castanea dentata
Breeding and Growing Chestnut
TACF’s 3BUR: Breeding, Biotechnology, and Biocontrol United for Restoration
More General Topics Related to Hardwoods
Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
USDA Forest Service Publications (and Treesearch)
Silvics of North America
Documents
Annual Meeting Minutes
Ohio Board Mtg F-2016
Ohio Business Mtg F-2016
In The News
Restoring Giants (March 2017) Ohio Cooperative Living. Pages 32-33.
Membership
Membership Form (National and Ohio Chapter)
Ohio Chestnut Inventory
Ohio Small Grant Application
Ohio Chapter Menu
National Facebook
What a difference a neighbor can make. 🌳🌳 Our Director of Communications, Jules Smith, recently visited a 10+ year-old hybrid American chestnut covered in burs. Just out of frame is another hybrid chestnut that helped pollinate the tree, resulting in an impressive crop of nuts this year. It's a small but encouraging glimpse of what's possible as we work toward restoring this iconic species. #AmericanChestnut #Trees #Conservation #Nature #RestorationForestry
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I heard one of the possible mistakes of the original disease progression of chestnut blight was taking all trees down with signs of blight and not giving trees a chance to demonstrate some resistance. Not sure if that was accurate but it's food for thought as we try to bring them back
So the hybrid trees still get the blight, but can survive it? Rather than just not getting it?
It looks like it's time is limited - lots of yellow leaves . Kind of looks like our elm trees !
Are you looking for funding to support your American chestnut research?
External small grants offer recipients a variety of benefits such as professional development and an expanded network. Grant activities contribute to the continuous renewal and development of faculty and staff, to the education and motivation of students, and achievement of our mutual interest — restoration of the American chestnut.
This is a small grants program. TACF does not ordinarily fund projects in excess of $10,000, but more than one person can receive a grant. Contact us to be added to our email notices for this program.
We are currently accepting submissions from now until September 28, 2026. Submissions will be reviewed by the Restoration Science Committee on October 16, 2026.
2026 Call for Proposals: tacf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RFP-Small-Grants-Program.8.10.26.pdf
Submission link: forms.monday.com/forms/6ff0cc12fe05ca92c879d36ba6838e05?r=use1
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What a wonderful day at TimberFest! 🌰
We enjoyed connecting with visitors and sharing TACF's mission alongside others who are passionate about forestry and conservation. One of the day's highlights was the unveiling of a chainsaw-carved statue exhibit crafted from trees brought down by Hurricane Helene.
As an organization who's national office is rooted in western North Carolina, it was especially meaningful to see these trees incorporated into an exhibit that honors both the impact of the storm and the resilience of our region. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about American chestnut restoration and the future of our forests.
#AmericanChestnut #ForestRestoration #Forestry #Conservation #WNC #Explore
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Was this at the Cradle of Forestry?
We love our Bonner Scholars!Thank you, Bonner Scholars!
As we head into the fall semester, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank our wonderful Bonner Scholars for their time, hard work, and dedication to Meadowview Research Farms last spring semester! We are especially grateful to Gabbie and Maddy who graduated from Emory & Henry this past spring, who each served with The American Chestnut Foundation for more than two years. Their commitment and contributions have made a lasting impact on our research farm, and we are so thankful for all they have done! We also want to recognize Carson, who joined us last spring and has been an important part of our team. We’re excited that Carson will be continuing to serve with us this semester.
Thank you, Gabbie, Maddy, and Carson, for all of your hard work and for being such an important part of the Meadowview family. We wish Gabbie and Maddy all the best in their next adventures, and we’re excited to have Carson continuing on with us!
And an additional thanks to Meadowview Research Farms' Tree Improvement Scientist, Lucinda Wigfield, for her outstanding coordination and supervision of this important student group!
#americanchestnut #castaneadentata #americanchestnutfoundation #ChestnutResearch #meadowviewresearchfarms
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The mysterious voice in this video might be onto something... 👀🌰
Looking for a research project idea? The American chestnut has plenty of unanswered questions waiting to be explored.
If your project touches on chestnut restoration, genetics, blight, ecology, biotechnology, history, or another chestnut-related topic, consider sharing your work at the TACF 2026 Symposium Poster Session.
Give your research an audience beyond the classroom and connect with others working to restore the American chestnut.
For more information visit: tacf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Poster-Session-RFP.pdf
#americanchestnut #humor #students #StudentResearch #forestry
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Latest News
Ohio Chapter Meeting September 11, 2021
September 11, 2021 Annual Meeting of the Ohio Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation The annual meeting was held virtually via ZOOM. President Carolyn Keiffer told the membership she is retiring from Miami University at the end of the year and the presidency of...
Ohio Chestnut Grant Applications
Ohio Chapter Grant Applications due October 30, 2021!! Grants are available for up to $1000 for any project or plan furthering the American Chestnut by planting, education, or another manner. These grants are available to any people or organizations who would be...
OH Chapter Grants Applications
Posted September 23, 2021 Ohio Chapter Grant Applications due October 30, 2021 Grants are available for up to $1000 for any project or plan furthering the American Chestnut by planting, education, or another manner. These grants are available to any people or...