Vermont / New Hampshire News

Man on a Mission

About three years ago VT/NH Chapter Board member, Tom Estill, from Rutland VT had a vision to have American chestnut trees growing at all schools in VT. That was thought to be an ambitious undertaking that would take years to accomplish. Tom does not seem to agree with that assessment. He already has planted, or delivered saplings for planting, to 38 schools. The word about Tom’s ambitious endeavor has spread east across the CT River. Seven of those schools are in NH!

This remarkable outreach activity generates multiple benefits. Especially direct hands-on involvement with young people who will be needed to carry chestnut restoration into the future.

Here is what Tom has to say about his most recent accomplishment:

 

“Spent the last couple days visiting 11 schools along the upper Connecticut Valley dropping off 3 American Chestnut seedlings for school plantings. My original idea was to limit school visits and seedling donations to VT schools only. But as soon as word got out that I had delivered trees to Vermont schools, NH schools across the river started showing an interest to participate also. And the fact that we are a VT/NH chapter, I thought it was only fair that I made seedlings available to NH schools also. I am now out of seedlings. My focus will now be on getting into schools and giving a presentation of the History and Current Research of the American Chestnut. Every school was very thankful and enthusiastic. They all thought it was a great idea. They were all given a sheet of instructions and short description of the program. So, here are the schools I visited this week:”

 

* White River Junction, VT

* Richmond School, Hanover, NH

* Cross Academy, Lyme, NH

* Laura Smith Barnes School, Lyme, NH

* Riverdell School, Orford, NH

* Samuel Morey Elementary School, Fairlee, VT

Tom Buzzell, pictured below

* Piermont Village School, Piermont, NH

Kathy Mclure, picture below

* Haverhill Cooperative Middle School, North Haverhill, NH

* Blur Mountain Union School, Newbury, VT

* Woodville High School, Woodville, NH

* Woodville Elementary School, Woodville, NH

 

Thank you so much Tom, how can we clone you?

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Have you visited our events calendar lately? Fall is prime time for chestnuts, so get out into your community and go on a hike, visit an orchard, or purchase a seedling!

Visit tacf.org/events/category/tacf/ for more information about upcoming events in the American chestnut's native range.
... See MoreSee Less

Have you visited our events calendar lately? Fall is prime time for chestnuts, so get out into your community and go on a hike, visit an orchard, or purchase a seedling! Visit https://tacf.org/events/category/tacf/ for more information about upcoming events in the American chestnuts native range.

The amazing Bette Midler on why she started the New York Restoration Project--and at the 3:15 mark, watch her talk about and plant a chestnut! ... See MoreSee Less

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3 CommentsComment on Facebook

What a wonderful person ! Go Bette !!!!

Patti Clark

Michelle Waskie

The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michael Goergen has been appointed as the organization’s new President & CEO and will begin in mid-September 2025. He will succeed interim President & CEO Bruce Levine.

A strategic executive with more than 25 years of leadership in the forest products and climate sectors, Michael has driven innovation, sustainability, and transformative partnerships throughout his career.

To learn more about him, visit tacf.org/michael-goergen-named-president-ceo-of-the-american-chestnut-foundation/
... See MoreSee Less

The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Michael Goergen has been appointed as the organization’s new President & CEO and will begin in mid-September 2025. He will succeed interim President & CEO Bruce Levine.A strategic executive with more than 25 years of leadership in the forest products and climate sectors, Michael has driven innovation, sustainability, and transformative partnerships throughout his career. To learn more about him, visit https://tacf.org/michael-goergen-named-president-ceo-of-the-american-chestnut-foundation/

Lucinda’s got a tree to introduce you to 🌳👋
Meet even more trees at tacf.org/meet-the-trees/
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8 CommentsComment on Facebook

This is D2-19-136 if you'd like to view it on our webpage!

can some areas buy some of the seed to grow them?

Great job guys!

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Reminder! TACF's 2025 American Chestnut Photo Contest is going on now, with a new, extended deadline!

The first-place winner will have their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine and receive a one-year TACF membership, along with a T-shirt and hat. The second-place winner will receive a T-shirt and sticker, and the third-place winner will receive a sticker. All winners will be recognized in a future issue of Chestnut.

Visit tacf.org/2025-photo-contest/ for all the details.
... See MoreSee Less

Reminder! TACFs 2025 American Chestnut Photo Contest is going on now, with a new, extended deadline! The first-place winner will have their photo featured on the cover of a future issue of Chestnut magazine and receive a one-year TACF membership, along with a T-shirt and hat. The second-place winner will receive a T-shirt and sticker, and the third-place winner will receive a sticker. All winners will be recognized in a future issue of Chestnut.Visit https://tacf.org/2025-photo-contest/ for all the details.

1 CommentComment on Facebook

who has chestnut seeds? i want to grow some.

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