Vermont / New Hampshire Chapter

About Us

Our Mission

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) has been working to restore the magnificent American chestnut, Castenea dentata, since 1983. The driving force that moves this effort forward consists of 16 State chapters of dedicated volunteers. The VT/NH Chapter was first organized in 2007. Three restoration approaches are implemented under the TACF “3-BUR” program: “Breeding, Biotechnology and Biocontrol – United for Restoration.” The VT/NH Chapter incorporates all three methods in its restoration efforts.

Breeding: The traditional TACF breeding program is implemented at nine breeding orchards and three seed orchards that are managed by volunteers and partners across VT and NH. These orchards contain trees produced through three generations of back crossing wild American chestnuts (having no blight resistance) with Chinese chestnuts (which do have blight resistance). The resulting offspring are screened for blight resistance and those with acceptable levels are intercrossed over three more generations. At each generation we continue to refine the balance of blight tolerance and American chestnut character in this population of trees. Blight resistance is a complex trait that is not easily transferred to American trees. Stringent selection criteria and genomic assessment tools helps us keep only the best trees in our program.

Biotechnology: The core of the biotechnology program is transgenics. Scientists at the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), discovered that a gene from wheat produces an enzyme, oxalate oxidase (OxO), which enhances blight tolerance significantly. Release of this transgenic tree into Eastern forests requires Federal approval from USDA, EPA and FDA. The transgenic tree is a clone so it must be crossed for multiple generations with wild America chestnuts to assure genetic diversity. The VT/NH Chapter aggressively seeks nuts from wild trees, with emphasis on those having 100% American characteristics. These nuts are planted in Germplasm Conservation Orchards (GCO) in VT and NH. Flowering trees in GCOs may be pollinated with transgenic pollen following Federal approval.

Biocontrol: The primary biological control method being explored by TACF and its partners is hypovirulence. Chestnut blight fungus is infected by a virus, thereby sickening the fungus and reducing the ability of chestnut blight to cause lethal infections. Using this method, the natural defenses of the chestnut, combined with soil microorganisms may enable the tree to halt canker growth and ultimately survive an infection. In addition, the VT/NH Chapter is experimenting with “mud packing” as a method to slow blight canker development on individual trees.

Our Mission

Self-sustaining stands of blight-resistant American chestnut trees growing in Vermont and New Hampshire woodlands.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors strives to achieve this Goal through various committees having responsibilities to manage orchards, locate and harvest nut producing wild American chestnuts, oversee Chapter governance, and convey the chestnut restoration story through outreach.

Board Members

Evan Fox – President

Evan Fox is retired and lives in Barnard, VT with his wife Sue of 41 years, where she loves to garden and he loves to grow, manage and harvest about ten acres of softwood and hardwood trees, including the challenging Chestnut. He is an avid outdoorsman, carpenter and amateur cabinetmaker, heats mostly with firewood and is a semi-serious maple syrup producer during the season. Evan graduated Penn State’s Agricultural Engineering College in 1979, made his career in PA and serves as President of the Penn State Alumni Association’s Vermont Chapter.

 

Gary Hawley – Vice President

Gary Hawley is an Environmental Sciences and Forestry faculty member in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont.  He is also a member of the Williston, VT Conservation Commission for over 25 years.  Hawley’s research interests include assessments of forest genetics and physiological responses to environmental stresses such as climate change and anthropogenic pollution.  He has been involved in several American chestnut research projects including cold tolerance assessments, evaluation of the growth of multiple seed sources and performance of blight resistant hybrids relative to other forest tree species. This work is being conducted with the TACF and US Forest Service.  Hawley also has been heavily involved and has directed many of the activities surrounding the green renovation of the Aiken Center and other Rubenstein School buildings at the University of Vermont.  This nearly 20-year process includes teaching a yearly course titled “The Greening of Rubenstein Interns” that has guided students through many aspects of energy efficiency upgrades and is currently pushing ahead to Net Zero Energy for these buildings.

Bill Coder – Secretary

Bill joined TACF after happening upon an educational orchard around 2000 and then became active in the VT/NH Chapter upon moving to Bedford, NH in 2014. A retired engineer, Bill volunteers at several environment focused organizations. The idea for an educational chestnut planting at NH Audubon in Concord resulted from his volunteer connections in both organizations, forming a full circle with how he first became aware of the American chestnut story.

Will Abbott – Treasurer

Will and his wife Alicia live in Holderness, NH, in a home that they purchased in 1993 with the help of a local realtor named Doug McLane. Will recently retired from the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, where he ran the public policy shop and oversaw the stewardship of the Society’s 57,000 acres of forest land. He has had a life-long fascination with trees, particularly the American Chestnut and the American Elm, and the potential to restore each to their original range.

Yurij Bihun

Yurij Bihun is a Vermont-based forester with experience in sustainable forest management, tree improvement, international development, and protected area management. In addition to teaching, research, and writing, he has had a wide spectrum of on-the-ground experience with the management of forest ecosystem services. His work in the conservation of forest ecosystems led to his interest in the restoration of natural landscapes and the challenge of returning American chestnut as a functional component our native woodlands. He was on the National Board of Directors of TACF from 2013-2019 and President of the VT/NH Chapter from 2014-2020.

Tom Estill

My caring for, and interest in, the outdoors has been a lifelong passion of mine. It carried over into my career as a science educator with a BA in biology and MEd in Env. Sci. Ed. One of my greatest joys in life is sharing what I have learned in the outdoors with others. I currently serve as a volunteer Sci. Ed. Specialist at a school in Rutland, VT and as a Naturalist at Pine Hill Park, also in Rutland, where, among other things, I look over the care of 50 American Chestnuts. I am also in charge of the Rutland GCO, and am in the middle of planting American chestnut seedlings in each of the schools in Rutland as an Ed. and Outreach activity. It is so rewarding to know I am a part of the movement to help bring back the American Chestnut.

Dr. Gillian Galford

Dr. Gillian Galford is an expert in ecosystems ecology and global change. In addition to research and teaching at the University of Vermont in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and Gund Institute for Environment, Dr. Galford leads the Vermont Climate Assessment. Her research spans from the forests of Vermont to the Amazon. 

Dr. Ann Hazelrigg

Ann has been a plant pathologist with UVM Extension for 35 years. She is the Director of the Plant Diagnostic Clinic and works with farmers and gardeners to diagnose insect, disease and weed problems. She is involved in many research projects that typically focus on diseases and organic agriculture. In her spare time she is a struggling fiddler and is excited to add chestnuts to her home arboretum!

Curt Laffin

Curt Laffin, and his wife Carol, have actively participated in nearly all types of VT/NH Chapter activities, especially outreach and communication. Curt is a wildlife biologist retired from the US Fish & wildlife Service. He and Carol live in Hudson, NH.

Lewis LeClair

Doug McLane

Doug McLane and his wife Sue have been active in chestnut restoration since the formation of the VT/NH Chapter. Doug’s favorite activity is tending the Chapter nursery and the ever-growing germplasm conservation orchard here in Plymouth, NH. It is a pleasure to have a chance to lead our Chapter into the challenging future of chestnuts.

Jess Wikle

Jess Wikle is the Manager of the UVM Research Forests and a faculty member in the forestry program. Prior to moving to Vermont, she worked as a consulting forester in southern New England. She is excited about the prospect of healthy chestnuts returning to New England forests some time in the future.

Science Contact – Kendra Collins (non-voting)

Marshall Case, Emeritus (non-voting)

 

Vermont / New Hampshire Chapter Menu

National Facebook

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The American Chestnut Foundation is seeking scion wood from wild American chestnut trees from the southern population. Scion wood MUST come from previously verified American chestnuts. Population studies have determined that trees found in western TN and K1, GA, AL, and MS represent the southern population and are the most genetically diverse.

The objectives of this collection are to:
🌱Conserve genetic diversity of unique and underrepresented populations of American chestnut through grafting
🌱Grow these grafted plants in favorable conditions (including growth chambers) to promote flowering and ease of pollen collection
🌱Future utilization of pollen and flowers to outcross transgenic chestnut

Goals for 2024: Gather around 100 sources from the South

•Coordinate with Jamie Van Clief at jamie.vanclief@acf.org for the collection of this scion wood.
For more details- head to the link in the comments below.
... See MoreSee Less

The American Chestnut Foundation is seeking scion wood from wild American chestnut trees from the southern population. Scion wood MUST come from previously verified American chestnuts. Population studies have determined that trees found in western TN and K1, GA, AL, and MS represent the southern population and are the most genetically diverse.

The objectives of this collection are to:
🌱Conserve genetic diversity of unique and underrepresented populations of American chestnut through grafting
🌱Grow these grafted plants in favorable conditions (including growth chambers) to promote flowering and ease of pollen collection
🌱Future utilization of pollen and flowers to outcross transgenic chestnut

Goals for 2024: Gather around 100 sources from the South

•Coordinate with Jamie Van Clief at jamie.vanclief@acf.org for the collection of this scion wood.
For more details- head to the link in the comments below.

Check out the Maine Chapter of TACF's booth at the Fryeburg Fair

This eagerly anticipated annual event, held each fall in the picturesque town of Fryeburg, Maine, attracts a staggering 170,000 attendees. Each year the Maine Chapter has a booth set up for people to learn about American chestnut.

This year, each person who signed up to become a new TACF member received two chestnut seedlings as part of the "Fryeburg Fair Special," and because of this, they welcomed 90 new members. This brings the total number of Chapter members to over 300 for the for the first time!
In addition to cultivating new members, their team gathered valuable insights and recorded about a dozen solid leads on the location of surviving American chestnuts in Maine.

As always, this was a successful time at the fair!

📍Maine locals- make sure to mark your calendars to attend next year!

Curious about a TACF membership? Head to the link in bio to learn more.
... See MoreSee Less

Check out the Maine Chapter of TACFs booth at the Fryeburg Fair

This eagerly anticipated annual event, held each fall in the picturesque town of Fryeburg, Maine, attracts a staggering 170,000 attendees. Each year the Maine Chapter has a booth set up for people to learn about American chestnut.

This year, each person who signed up to become a new TACF member received two chestnut seedlings as part of the Fryeburg Fair Special, and because of this, they welcomed 90 new members. This brings the total number of Chapter members to over 300 for the for the first time!
In addition to cultivating new members, their team gathered valuable insights and recorded about a dozen solid leads on the location of surviving American chestnuts in Maine.

As always, this was a successful time at the fair!

📍Maine locals- make sure to mark your calendars to attend next year!

Curious about a TACF membership? Head to the link in bio to learn more.Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

More about the ME Chapter- tacf.org/me/about-us/

RAFFLE NOW CLOSED

We want to thank YOU this Giving Tuesday! Your donation of $20 or more automatically enters you for a chance to win our gift box of the following items:
✨2 TACF beanie hats
✨2 TACF baseball hats
✨2 TACF notebooks
✨2 TACF orange bandanas
✨2 TACF patches
✨2 TACF canvas bags
✨2 TACF jar openers
(and yes, it’s enough for you and a friend to share)

To Enter:
Donate $20 or more towards our End of Year Appeal fundraiser to be entered in the drawing.

Giving Tuesday Donation Link: www.facebook.com/donate/25074377115495320/

QUALIFICATIONS:
Enter by NOON Friday December 1st.
The winner will be contacted by Saturday, 12/2 so make sure to check your inbox! If we don't receive a response back by the end of the day, we'll sadly have to move on to the next winner. Items will be shipped to US addresses only.

Let's make Giving Tuesday a day to remember! Share this post on your stories or with friends, so we can inspire even more acts of kindness. Together, we can make a positive impact and create a ripple effect of generosity.

STAY TUNED:
December will be full of more chances like this to win!
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Congratulations Randa Hopper Szymanski!!! Please send us a message.

Thank you so much to The Green Tunnel Podcast for releasing this engaging episode about the American chestnut tree! TACF’s Ciera Wilbur, Lab Manager at The American Chestnut Foundation's Meadowview Research Farms, is interviewed extensively, along with author Susan Freinkel.

From The Green Tunnel:
“The American Chestnut was one of the most magnificent trees in North America. On today’s episode of The Green Tunnel, we’re going to explore how it lived, how it died, and how – with the help of scientists, non-profit organizations, and passionate volunteers – it just might repopulate the Appalachian Mountains once again.”

Visit the link in the comments below to listen to this great podcast episode!
... See MoreSee Less

Thank you so much to The Green Tunnel Podcast for releasing this engaging episode about the American chestnut tree! TACF’s Ciera Wilbur, Lab Manager at The American Chestnut Foundations Meadowview Research Farms, is interviewed extensively, along with author Susan Freinkel.

From The Green Tunnel:
“The American Chestnut was one of the most magnificent trees in North America. On today’s episode of The Green Tunnel, we’re going to explore how it lived, how it died, and how – with the help of scientists, non-profit organizations, and passionate volunteers – it just might repopulate the Appalachian Mountains once again.”

Visit the link in the comments below to listen to this great podcast episode!

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thank your for your wonderful contributions to this episode and the important work you do!

This is wonderful. Go Ciera Wilbur!!

start selling young trees

November is Native American Heritage Month, and the day after Thanksgiving is Native American Heritage Day. TACF recognizes this important opportunity to listen to the voices of this community, so we’re sharing the article, “The History of Thanksgiving from the Native American Perspective.

From the article:
“Steven Peters, a Wampanoag Tribe spokesman, was asked about his views on Thanksgiving and the fact that most people still gather to eat turkey and give thanks. Here's what he had to say:

"I think it's great. My ancestors had four harvest festivals throughout the year. Gathering with family, enjoying our company, sharing our blessings, and giving thanks for all that we have is a good thing. I say have more thanksgiving events throughout the year. I also ask that you take a moment in that day to remember what happened to my people and the history as it was recorded and not the narrative that we had been given in the history books."

Visit the link in comments to read the entire article.
... See MoreSee Less

November is Native American Heritage Month, and the day after Thanksgiving is Native American Heritage Day. TACF recognizes this important opportunity to listen to the voices of this community, so we’re sharing the article, “The History of Thanksgiving from the Native American Perspective.

From the article:
“Steven Peters, a Wampanoag Tribe spokesman, was asked about his views on Thanksgiving and the fact that most people still gather to eat turkey and give thanks. Heres what he had to say:

I think its great. My ancestors had four harvest festivals throughout the year. Gathering with family, enjoying our company, sharing our blessings, and giving thanks for all that we have is a good thing. I say have more thanksgiving events throughout the year. I also ask that you take a moment in that day to remember what happened to my people and the history as it was recorded and not the narrative that we had been given in the history books.

Visit the link in comments to read the entire article.
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