PA-NJ Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
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The PA/NJ Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will be back in person at the 2025 PA Farm Show (January 4th to 11th).
Sign up to share the story of the American chestnut with attendees of the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg. SignUp here!
Sign up with friends or family and make a day of it.
Volunteer Planting DayWe are seeking volunteers to help plant about 800 seedlings as part of a resistance trial at Penn Nursery DCNR Bureau of Forestry)
WHEN: Monday, October 21
WHERE: Penn Nursery
137 Penn Nursery Rd, Spring Mills, PA
Google Map
Contact Lake Graboski, TACF Regional Science Coordinator
lake.graboski@tacf.org | 570-594-4681
“I like digging holes. Do you? 
Join us at Penn Nursery at 9am to help dig holes for the
planting that will take place the following week. The holes don’t need to be very deep, but we need about 800 of them, and the location is rocky, so any help is much appreciated.”
WHEN: Friday, October 18 (Starting at 9 am)
WHERE: Penn Nursery
Google Map
Contact Lake Graboski, TACF Regional Science Coordinator
lake.graboski@tacf.org | 570-594-4681
If you would like to volunteer to help with chestnut orchard activities at Penn State contact Noah Vincent, PSU Orchard Manager. He can add you to a contact list so you will be notified about volunteer days. Activities vary depending on the season and include: harvest, shucking, planting, cleaning pots, planting, and inoculation.
Please contact Noah Vincent, Orchard Manager
nev5073@psu.edu | 484-725-4044
Mount Nittany Trailhead | Lemont, PA | Google Map
Saturday, October 12 (2:00 pm — 5:00 pm)
Join American Chestnut Foundation Regional Science Coordinator, Lake Graboski, on a hike up Mount Nittany to observe wild surviving American chestnuts in nature and to learn about this important tree species. The hike will begin with an ascent to the summit of Mount Nittany along the white trail travelling from station 1 to 2 and finally to the Mike Lynch Overlook with a great view of State College at station 3. There are many small American chestnut stump sprouts along this steep northern section of the Mountain. Hikers will have the option to return from the summit or to continue with a longer loop around the south side of the ridge travelling to stations 4, 5, and 6, and then back to 3 to see some larger chestnut stump sprouts before heading back down the mountain.
Hiking Level — Most Difficult: Steep, Rocky Terrain, Good hiking boots and appropriate clothing required. Rain or shine to be cancelled only in the case of severe weather.
Attendees are also asked to sign TACF’s voluntary waiver, found here: TACF Volunteer Waiver (monday.com). People under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian.
Those interested should contact Lake at the information below to sign up: lake.graboski@tacf.org
PA-NJ Chapter Fall Meeting
Saturday, November 9 (8:30 AM to 2:30 PM)
Fort Hunter Barn
5395 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA
Google Map
Whether you are a long time supporter of our restoration mission or a new chestnut enthusiast you’ll enjoy this day of learning and socializing. Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up with old chestnut compatriots, make new friends, and learn what’s on the horizon for our Chapter. We will gather at the Fort Hunter Centennial Barn for coffee and donuts at 8:30 am, followed by a brief business meeting. We have three presentations scheduled for the day. Follow the link below for more details. We’re ordering in sandwiches and salads from Isaac’s Kraft Kitchen and Brewery for lunch, with soft drinks and chips. If you have dietary restrictions please let us know in advance.
After the meeting, if you have time we encourage folks to caravan over to the Big Boyd Tree Preserve, just a few miles away. Near the main parking lot is a fenced enclosure of American chestnut trees which are part of our restoration research.
Buy Tickets online or RSVP by November 7
mail@patacf.org | (814)863-7192
Ticket Price: $20 covers the cost of lunch (Sandwich trays and salads from Isaac’s) and Coffee Break (Donuts and Coffee)
We welcome donations for a silent auction fundraiser at our meeting. We will have limited space at this venue so please contact our office in advance to donate:
mail@patacf.org | (814) 863-7192
In order to help achieve our wild American conservation objectives, Chapter Board Member, Lake Graboski is setting up targeted “American Chestnut Conservation Missions”. Each mission will identify areas of special interest to our breeding program. We encourage individual hikers and local conservation groups to join these missions to help search for American chestnuts.
Mission #1: Southwestern PA (Issued 6/3/2022)
Mission #2 Southern New Jersey
