The American Chestnut Foundation is working to restore the American chestnut tree to our eastern woodlands to benefit our environment, our wildlife, and our society.
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is a nonprofit conservation, education, and scientific organization with one of the most ambitious rescue missions in the natural world-to save a beloved tree species from extinction. Founded in 1983 and based in Asheville, NC, TACF and its 16 state chapters are working to restore the American chestnut tree to eastern forests. We employ breeding, biotechnology, and biocontrol to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut tree in order to save the species and return it to its native range which stretches from Maine to Alabama. We are supported by private individuals and family foundations, and the majority of our work is done by thousands of dedicated citizen scientists and partners.
Our Mission: Our mission is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.
You guys are so positive but I realize this really must have been quite a blow for you all! Please keep up the work, this is going to take some time! I’m really excited to hear more about the work to find and improve natural resistance among pure American chestnuts, I have heard that is the focus here in Canada. Perhaps they are quietly coming back on their own!?
Thanks for rerecording this! I was so bummed when I realized I missed the live version. Very clearly explained as far as the science goes. Its a real bummer D58/54 turned out to be so problematic but understandable with 35S. I think I remember reading that they tried a vascular promoter first but it didnt do much so they switched to 35S. Hopefully tgose involved will figure out the right combination of approaches soon. :)
Thank you for recreating this Chestnut Chat. How do you distinguish the detrimental effect of the 35s:oxo from the consequence of inactivating the SAL1 gene?
Devastating. When were the first indications that there was a problem with D58? Just seems like an incredible reverse-course from the last Chestnut Chat.
Thank you to everyone working so hard on restoring this wonderful tree. We still have some small groves of these in my area in NH it is always a blast to come across them.
I just found this chat. Really happy to hear about the progress. I'm in Kentucky and have long appreciated the chestnut tree's role in Appalachian area.
