THE SHOALS-The Highland Rim Restoration Branch of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is hosting
a casual Meet & Greet at the Singin’ River Brewing Company on Saturday, February 13th from
2:30 – 5:00 p.m. (CST). The event will serve as an opportunity to learn more about the scientific
research and conservation efforts of this organization, and in particular, its focus on local
breeding efforts within the state.
Tom Saielli, regional science coordinator with TACF, will present information about the TVA
backcross breeding orchard in Muscle Shoals, the 2016 plan for Alabama’s first seed orchard in
Huntsville, and preliminary plans for seed orchards at the University of North Alabama.
Saielli will also discuss the future of TACF’s breeding program while highlighting the
Tom Saielli
innovative science and cutting edge genomics tools involved.
TACF’s Highland Rim Restoration Branch was formed in 2015 and is organized by Will
Calhoun, Carmen Burkhalter, Betsy Heckert, and Harris Parker. These dedicated volunteers have
joined a citizen advisory board comprised of local businesses in support of TACF’s mission to
restore the American chestnut to the forests of its native range, focusing especially on trees with
genetic properties unique to Alabama.
Dr. Jack Agricola
Dr. Jack Agricola is the former president of the Alabama Chapter of TACF and he has been a
tremendous supporter of the Highland Rim Branch’s efforts. “We are very lucky to have these
young and talented chestnut enthusiasts as part of the state’s restoration efforts. Overall, this is a
long-term project and it’s critical for those of us that have been doing it awhile to keep sharing
the important story of the American chestnut tree. We want future generations to understand the
ecological impacts of its loss so that they will play an active role in bringing it back.”
The Alabama Chapter of TACF and its Highland Rim Restoration Branch are making
tremendous progress in terms of restoration efforts within the state. Anyone who enjoys planting
trees, managing orchards, or finding lost chestnuts in the woods should join TACF members for
this fun event. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the American chestnut tree and
the exciting work taking place throughout the region.
* * *
The American chestnut was a keystone species throughout its range in the eastern United States.
It also had exceptional economic and cultural significance to rural Americans. At the beginning
of the 20th century, a fungal disease was accidentally imported from Asia, and the blight spread
rapidly throughout eastern forests. By the 1950s, virtually nothing remained of the species other
than occasional seedlings and small sprouts.
In 1983, a committed group of scientists and lay people decided to do something about this
ecological disaster while the species could still be saved. They formed TACF to initiate a
complex breeding program to transfer genes containing disease resistance from Asian chestnut
species to American chestnut. In just 20 years, these talented scientists and volunteers began to
produce the first generation of trees that are 96% American chestnut but contain Asiatic genes
for blight resistance. Now supported by more than 5,400 members and hundreds of volunteers in
23 states, the organization is planting and testing offspring of those trees as it continues to build
and improve its breeding population. With the aid of many partner organizations, TACF is
leading the restoration of an iconic species once on the brink of extinction.
The American Chestnut Foundation is a non-profit conservation organization headquartered in
Asheville, NC, with 3 regional offices located in Charlottesville, VA, So. Burlington, VT, and
State College, PA. The organization’s research farm in Meadowview, VA has more than 50,000
trees planted in various stages of development. For more information on TACF and its work,
please contact TACF Director of Communications Ruth Goodridge at 828-281-0047; email:
ruth.goodridge@acf.org.
Visit us at www.acf.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/americanchestnut and
Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/chestnut1904
Media Release/TACF/Harris Parker
