Restoring the American Chestnut through Biotechnology with Tom Klak 

Learn about these important trees during a virtual lecture with Tom Klak
Klak is a Professor of Marine and Environmental Programs at the University of New England, and the Vice President and Chair of Gene Conservation at The American Chestnut Foundation’s Maine Chapter. The presentation will focus on seven points about the American chestnut restoration, including its historical importance, dangers they face, building tolerance through transgenics, the importance of rescuing native genetic diversity from remaining wild trees, UNE’s approach to breeding chestnuts, and Maine’s first blight-tolerant American chestnut trees.
American chestnut restoration efforts are currently in a crucial moment where their biotech approach is under review at USDA. There is a public comment period open until October 19, 2020.
Make your comment to USDA here: beta.regulatio...
USDA comment period until Oct 19, web sites:
American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) intro to the blight-tolerant chestnut & list of useful links: www.acf.org/sc...