Dear friends,
The board of directors and staff of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) mourn the loss of President Jimmy Carter, who died yesterday at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. An Honorary Director at TACF since the very early days of the organization, he was one of the first luminaries to endorse the Foundation’s mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range. President Carter recalled chestnut trees growing in his yard (one of the most southern sites of the tree’s range) when he was a boy and that he could take the nuts to school to trade for “a couple of really nice marbles.”
But his real hope was the science behind the restoration and how he felt it would be a boon to conservation and ecological restoration. To take part in the outreach and efforts of chestnut restoration, he helped coordinate a chestnut demonstration orchard at The Carter Center in 2016, followed by a dedication he also attended in 2017. (Click here to read an article on the dedication from the fall 2017 issue of Chestnut.)
Dr. Martin Cipollini, TACF board member, GA Chapter president, and Dana Professor of Biology at Berry College, speaks to President Carter (front row) and others in 2017 about the trees in the demonstration orchard at The Carter Center.
President Carter participated in TACF’s award-winning documentary film, Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut, that was released to the public in spring 2024. In the film, he shared his passion for chestnut restoration: “I was very eager to help, and so ever since it began, I’ve been helping to raise money, and helping to promote the knowledge among people about the chestnut foundation [TACF].”
President Jimmy Carter during the filming of Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut.
His family legacy continues with the appointment of his daughter-in-law Becky Carter to TACF’s board in 2021. A former chief development officer at The Carter Center, Becky now helps the organization with government relations and organizational governance.
As we reflect on President Carter’s influential life and contributions, we are inspired to carry forward his vision and dedication toward restoring the American chestnut, creating a legacy that will continue to grow for generations to come.
Warm regards,
William Pitt
President & CEO
The American Chestnut Foundation