March 2024 eSprout: Documentary Wins an Award; Domain Change; Planting Resources; TACF News; Featured Photo; Chapter News

eSprout March 2024

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In this issue: Lookout Wild Film Festival; Domain Change at TACF; Planting Resources; Supporting Nurseries; Featured Photo; Chapter News; Calendar

Lookout Wild Film Festival

TACF's Documentary is Best Environmental Film Award Winner

TACF'S documentary CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut has received another award! TACF was honored to learn that the film was recently selected as the winner in the Best Environmental Film category at the Lookout Wild Film Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Lookout Wild Film Festival has been bringing together outdoor adventure and conservation films from around the world for more than ten years. This annual event took place January 11-14, 2024 and showcased more than 60 films. You can watch the thank you and acceptance video here on our YouTube channel.

Domain Change at TACF

If you have visited The American Chestnut Foundation’s website lately, you may have noticed a small change. Our website’s domain name has officially switched from acf.org to tacf.org. After 27 years as acf.org, our web address now aligns with the organization’s acronym, TACF. Any existing links to acf.org will still work, but we encourage you to start using tacf.org. TACF email addresses now end in tacf.org, so please update your contact list and browser bookmarks, as acf.org email addresses will no longer work past the end of 2024. If you have not visited tacf.org lately, some new features and content have been added, including an About Us page, Volunteer portal, Science Strategies page, and more.

Planting Resources

You asked, we answered! It's that time of year when the ground finally begins to soften and those with a green thumb begin thinking and dreaming about what they can plant this season. If you're planning on growing a hybrid or wild-type American chestnut in 2024, whether from seed or seedlings, we've got the planting resources you're looking for on one webpage! Find printable planting guides like "Planting American Chestnuts in Pots" and video resources such as "Site Selection and Planting American Chestnut." We think you'll enjoying browsing the resources we've put together. Visit the page right here.

News From TACF

TACF celebrates the work of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) toward the successful reopening of the Buckeye Nursery in Zanesville, OH. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill to revitalize the state’s only tree-seedling nursery, where experts from TACF will assist in growing American chestnuts. TACF is collaborating with several state nursery partners to support seedling production. To reinforce this need, representatives from TACF recently visited Capitol Hill to back legislation aimed at supporting the national Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetics Resources (RNGR) program. Read more about it here.

Featured Photo

Thanks to all who contributed photos! This lovely image was submitted by chestnut enthusiast Tyler Fishman, who took this photo of a 40-plus foot American chestnut in a forest in New Jersey. Submit your own chestnut photos to [email protected]g.

TACF State Chapter News

AL-TACF: This weekend, the AL Chapter met at the South Huntsville Library for a morning of learning and community-building. More than 30 chestnut enthusiasts were in attendance, from seasoned growers to brand-new faces. President & CEO Will Pitt spoke about new horizons at TACF, while Regional Science Coordinator Jamie Van Clief and researcher Taylor Perkins gave presentations on the current AL scientific efforts and exciting regionally-specific species data. After the meeting, a group of Chapter members met up at Back Forty Beer Company for some lunch and further comradery.

TN-TACF: An incredibly successful annual meeting and 40th anniversary celebration was held by the TN Chapter on February 24. Held at the renowned Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, this event brought together old and new chestnut friends. Highlights included presentations from Chapter President Hill Craddock's current and former students, a display of chestnut pieces from member Greg Weaver's personal chestnut museum (including a large self-mounted stump), and homemade chestnut treats for all to share. Thank you to everyone who participated!

CT-TACF: Check out this award-winning table! In February the CT Chapter exhibited at the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and their display was awarded the second place ribbon. The show's 2024 theme was "Bursting Into Spring," and approximately 40,000 people attended. This colorful event is a chance for attendees to explore exhibits overflowing with fresh flowers, plants, bulbs, books, garden equipment, and more. The Chapter tabled in the education section of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut and met several chestnut enthusiasts. Congratulations!

OH-TACF: Teacher and OH Chapter member Adam McElwain is growing chestnuts in his classroom at Clagget Middle School. After spending the year developing a chestnut curriculum for the Medina City School District, these wild-type nuts are the first step towards establishing a chestnut club! Adam has partnered with the town of Medina to plant these wild-type seeds, and eventually B3F3s, in a local park. Students, along with the town, will maintain them and collect data. Thanks to volunteer John Caruso for speaking with the students about TACF and to Bill Deeter for providing the seeds! Photo: Adam McElwain