About Us
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Click here to view the Maryland Chapter’s Photo Gallery
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Our Mission
The Maryland Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation has been formed to support the efforts of the national organization to restore the American chestnut tree, to identify and preserve American chestnut survivors in Maryland, and to promote educational and scientific research efforts directed at restoring American chestnuts in Maryland.
TACF members in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia comprise the Maryland Chapter.
Maryland Chapter Activities
The backcross breeding program of the Maryland Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (MDTACF) is carried out in twenty-two orchards throughout the state of Maryland. These orchards advance the efforts of The American Chestnut Foundation to restore the American chestnut tree to its former range throughout the Appalachian region, enhancing the genetic diversity of the backcross breeding efforts with mother trees adapted to the variety of growing conditions within the state of Maryland. Maryland orchards also create opportunities for learning activities and research related to American chestnut restoration. The Maryland Chapter initiates and supports hands-on learning activities in areas of inquiry relevant to American chestnut restoration.
MDTACF is tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS code.
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Chapter Information
How Can I Help?
The best way to learn of our activities and of the volunteer opportunities is to join our Google mail list.
To volunteer or to obtain more information concerning orchard maintenance activities or Chapter display events please contact us at MDTACF@outlook.com or subscribe to our Orchard Volunteers Google Group.
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National Facebook
Whether you already love American chestnut trees or are looking for a new cause to support, consider volunteering with TACF! Volunteering with TACF allows you to learn new skills while participating in an historical effort to restore a functionally extinct species and help heal the environment.
Visit tacf.org/volunteer/ to learn more!
Check out SAHC website: appalachian.org
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How do you know when a female chestnut flower is ready to mate? She starts showing off her styles. This is not a joke. This is straight up factual facts. If you want funny jokes you'll have to go looking somewhere else. Meanwhile, enjoy this episode about our American chestnut friends Cassie and Denny and their first signs of flowers. #cassieanddenny
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Marcy Caldwell Rau
We love what Tree Plenish is doing and we salute their efforts! Learn more about their organization by clicking this link to their website: www.tree-plenish.org
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In a recent article by New York magazine’s Intelligencer, journalist Kate Morgan details the history of the development of the Darling 58 transgenic American chestnut tree, the discovery that it was, in fact, Darling 54, and how that impacted the partnership between The American Chestnut Foundation and SUNY ESF’s American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project.
TACF President & CEO Will Pitt, along with TACF Chief Conservation Officer Sara Fitzsimmons are quoted.
This article is available for a limited time to non-subscribers of New York magazine; visit the link for more details.
tacf.org/the-problem-with-darling-58-the-fight-to-save-americas-iconic-tree/
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The D58/4 mixup was one thing - shouldn't have happened but did. Should've been caught much earlier but wasn't, but particularly unconscionable was ESF's getting in bed with American Castanea, particularly after all the proud pronouncements about not patenting etc. Besides which, AC had no background that I've heard in growing trees.
Hay y'all! Please! These GMO companies are NOT passionate about ecology and tree study like you are at the foundation and how the community here adores this tree and seems to help in any way they are able to. They know it's billions of dollars to be made with chestnuts..... And FAKE GMO TREES ARE NOT GOING TO HELP!! I know of a bunch of large specimens in the Northeast I spent years searching for and continue to. Will be sending samples for testing for the first time this autumn I'm excited to speak with y'all! The tree is FUNCTIONAL AND THRIVING in particular places. But they need stable, happy (organic/wild) ecosystems to behave this way.... Can't just jam trees in the ground and hope for chance.... If I'm ever financially stable I love to participate in bigger projects and planning in the future keep fighting the good fight!! Thank you for listening bless'ed love! 🌰🌱🌳🍁🙏✌️🐺🐾🐾🤘🌟
I think the real problem was over who thought they were responsible for distribution of seedling. Both groups were building distribution networks. TACF thought they were in charge of the program while ESF only felt they needed to be informed. That TACF tried to make it about the money was embarrassing. No one’s going to make a fortune in conservation. The couple million TACF donated is probably nothing compared with what the state of NY (or any of the other Universities) have spent. Weird… internal financial controls at Universities are allot more rigorous than for a non-profit.
Don't forget to enter the 2024 American Chestnut Photo Contest! We love to see photos that include every season, angle, and aspect of American chestnut, so get creative. Click this link for more information: tacf.org/2024-photo-contest/
This adorable photo was taken by Michelle Casson, who submitted in 2016.
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Latest News
Maryland Chapter Spring Meeting 2024
The Maryland Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is excited to invite you to our annual Spring Meeting. This is a fantastic opportunity to: Hear from leading experts · Dr. Douglas E. Norris (Johns Hopkins): gain insights into tick-borne disease · Bruce...
Maryland Chapter Fall Meeting
Maryland Chapter Fall meeting - October 28th . The event will take place at the Fox Haven Farm located at 3630 Poffenberger Rd, Jefferson, MD 21755. The meeting will start at 10:30 AM and end around 3PM. Tours of the chestnut orchard will be given, and the 40th...
Maryland Chapter Spring Meeting
The Spring Meeting of the Maryland Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will be held at the Gaithersburg Regional Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave, Gaithersburg, Maryland on April 1, 2023 beginning at 11:00. Our speakers will be Bruce Levine, Chairman of...