Virginia News

Volunteer Now!

Current Opportunities to Volunteer!

Working with the Public

Plantings are planned for Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna on May 3 and at Mount Vernon at a date in the spring to be determined.  We are looking for a few volunteers to help with (a) planting the trees, (b) monitoring the seedlings until they get established, (c) developing interpretive material to tell Garden visitors the chestnut story, and (d) organizing the ceremony surrounding the planting.  If you have time and interest, please contact VA TACF at ten.nozirev@tuntsehcav or (540) 364-1922.

Working with Nature*

Opportunities abound for help in planting, pollinating and monitoring American chestnut trees in our orchards.  For more information, and to volunteer, contact us at ten.nozirev@tuntsehcav or (540) 364-1922.

*Risk Advice.  Many activities in support of VATACF put volunteers into close contact with nature.  This poses a number of potential risks volunteers need to consider.  These include exposure to insects, poisonous plants, snakes, difficult terrain and strenuous activity.  VATACF expects volunteers to inform and protect themselves against these risks and cannot accept responsibility for failure to do so.

Behind the Scenes

Staff the VATACF Office.  Multiple volunteer opportunities exist to help staff the Virginia Chapter of TACF office in Marshall, VA.   The duties involve learning enough to answer questions from visitors to the office and over the phone, helping to manage volunteer activity, as well as performing related clerical duties in support of VATACF’s mission to restore chestnut trees to Virginia.  These volunteer opportunities are part-time and hours can be flexible to meet your schedule.  You will have the fun of meeting and working with committed volunteers and interested members of the public and learning about the science and organizational efforts in support of VATACF’s mission.  For information, or to volunteer, contact Kathy Marmet at moc.liamg@temramyhtak.

Communications Assistants Wanted!  VATACF is looking for one or more persons to assist in enhancing communications within our diverse and rapidly growing organization.  Volunteers will help maintain the VATACF web site (vachestnut.org), help write announcements and notices, locate photos and illustrations and help manage VATACF’s use of social media.  Special opportunities exist for persons with skill in producing videos for the web.  The work can be conducted at our Marshall, VA, office or from any location with internet service.  The work requirements are flexible and can be organized to fit your schedule.   Volunteers will have the satisfaction of  working with modern technologies and helping to organize and energize the reintroduction of the chestnut tree to American forests.  For more information, or to volunteer, contact us at ten.nozirev@tuntsehcav.

Video Editor and YouTube Guru.  VATACF wants to produce short video productions on a variety of topics to be used for training volunteers and educating the public about a variety of aspects of restoring the American chestnut tree.  If you have skills in video production, including filming, editing and creating YouTube videos, then we have an important role for you to fill.  Work schedules can be organized to fit your needs.  You will gain experience in producing and editing high quality video productions and enhancing VATACF’s educational and training program.  You will have the satisfaction of seeing your work on the internet and in use in field trainings all around the Commonwealth.  For more information, or to volunteer, contact Norman Reid ten.sehguh@diernjta.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Don’t see anything that fits?  We have many more needs than we have listed here.  Match your interests and skills with our needs by filling out the online volunteer interest form.

We will get back to you to work out something that meets your interests and our needs!

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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 #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

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.

Catkins in my yard are buzzing with bees!

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

Watch this quick video to learn how we conduct controlled pollinations for our breeding program.

Learn more about our breeding program and our use of the recurrent genomic selection model: tacf.org/tree-breeding/

#americanchestnut #pollination #Conservation #Restoration #explore
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2 CommentsComment on Facebook

❤️ The original farmstead my property used to be a part of, grew chestnut trees and Hickory trees. The last two American Chestnut trees died about 6 years ago, they were right on the shoreline of a lake and unfortunately all their nuts fell in the water. They died cause they were both girdled by a beaver that had taken up residence on the lake. I would've done something to protect the two trees but unfortunately were not part of my property and all I could do was watch in horror. I wouldn't dare mess with trees that don't belong to me. I would however love to add some if it's possible to purchase American Chestnut back to our property, our parcel had the Shagbark Hickory trees on it.

Big tree - Asian chestnut ?

Did you know that Allegheny chinquapins can get chestnut blight?

#americanchestnut #DidYouKnow #explore #nature #Conservation
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Would it get a lot bigger if it didn't get the blight? If so, how much?

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
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22 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

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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
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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
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