THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

Annual Report July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 Breeding Biotechnology Biocontrol united for restoration (3BUR) TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Science Briefing 5 Regional Accomplishments 10 Our Donors 14 Legacy Tree 16 Financial Overview

OUR VISION is a robust eastern forest restored to its splendor. THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Chairman’s Letter

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is a dynamic, science-driven organization with an unparalleled level of dedicated This has been an exciting year for TACF with some very significant volunteers, staff, and board of milestones. With the support and encouragement of the directors. I have encountered Chapter, researchers at State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) have developed a few conservation-based genetically engineered chestnut that is nearly 100% American, blight- organizations with such an tolerant, and is undergoing regulatory approval for subsequent release. TACF’s leadership views this development with great optimism and enthusiastic, committed, goal- awaits final approval. Integrating this tree with existing backcross oriented membership. TACF is bred trees holds great promise for the future in accelerating our mission. At TACF’s 2019 Spring Board Meeting, Director of Science, totally focused on a singular Jared Westbrook, presented some new and organizationally shifting grand mission – to restore a data on the genetics of blight resistance in chestnut. In partnership with HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, cutting edge DNA once dominant tree species sequencing technology has generated high-quality reference back to its native range as genomes and led to the realization that blight resistance is likely controlled by multiple genes located on multiple chromosomes. a fully functional ecological Rapid genomic technologies are paving a new and exciting direction component of the forested for TACF, helping us make accurate selections of the best trees in our program. While much remains to be done, pathways to future ecosystem. Unquestionably, blight-resistant restoration are becoming increasingly clear. this is a task of monumental In my many years as a member of TACF, I can remember no time where we have been stronger and more focused. Our President and proportion, and one that CEO, Lisa Thomson, has provided skilled leadership and assembled a requires great vision and team of office staff, farm staff, and regional science coordinators that would rival organizations far greater in size than our own. Our scientists, optimism. This organization is partners, and volunteers are of exceptional skill, character, and diligence. truly blessed to have all of the The depth of expertise and experience represented on our Board of Directors is phenomenal. To all, I owe a great debt of thanks. With right people, doing all the right profound gratefulness to all who make this organization work, I present things, at just the right time. this annual report for the past year. As always, eyes to the future! Sincerely,

Brian C. McCarthy Chairman, Board of Directors

OUR MISSION is to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range.

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Continued culling of Meadowview seed orchards Since 2002, over 60,000 American chestnut Great potential. backcross hybrids have been planted in two seed orchards at TACF’s research Great promise. farms in Meadowview, . To maximize blight resistance of the seed coming from The Year in Science these orchards, our final goal is to cull all but 600 (1%) of the most blight-resistant trees. We recently developed genomic prediction models for blight resistance to increase the speed and accuracy of making the final selections. TACF’s collaborator Jason Holliday at Virginia Tech has genotyped over 2,000 selection candidates in Meadowview seed orchards. TACF used the genomic models to cull 1,500 blight-susceptible trees in 2019. Currently, 3,500 selection candidates remain in Meadowview seed orchards. We anticipate completing selection of the 600 most blight- resistant trees at Meadowview in 2021.

Recognizing the complexity of blight resistance In 2019, genomics research revealed that as we use backcross breeding to generate hybrids that inherited more of their genome from American chestnut, resistance to chestnut blight is also partially diluted. The tradeoff between blight resistance and American chestnut ancestry implies that more genomic regions underlie blight resistance than previously assumed. On average, the backcross trees in Meadowview seed orchards that we have selected with genomics inherited an average of 83% of their genome from American chestnut. The selections are less blight-resistant than 50/50 hybrids of Chinese chestnut and American chestnut, but more resistant than wild-type American chestnuts (Figure 1). Once selection is complete, we plan to plant restoration trials with seed from selected trees to determine if this level of blight resistance is adequate for hybrid trees to compete and reproduce in the forest. We are also planning on improving resistance in the Meadowview program by performing additional generation(s) of selection for blight resistance and American chestnut characteristics.

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FIGURE 1: Comparison of stem forms. Pure American chestnut (left), a selected BC3-F2 hybrid (85% American

chestnut ancestry) from Meadowview Research Farms (center), and an F1 hybrid of American chestnut and Chinese chestnut (50% American chestnut ancestry) (right).

Finding a balance between blight resistance and American chestnut ancestry Despite the overall tradeoff between blight resistance and American chestnut ancestry, hybrids with a specific percentage of American chestnut ancestry can vary significantly in their blight resistance Figure( 2). We are taking advantage of this variation to continue to improve blight resistance while also selecting hybrid trees that grow like American chestnut. In 2019, the staff at Meadowview Research Farms conducted 37 controlled pollinations between hybrid trees with varying American chestnut ancestry that have survived for a decade or more with chestnut blight. In 2020, we will screen some of the seedling progeny from these crosses for resistance to blight and plant the most resistant trees at Meadowview Research Farms. As the trees grow in the ensuing years, we will perform further selection timber-type form, American chestnut leaf characteristics, and American chestnut ancestry.

FIGURE 2: Relationship between blight resistance and percentage of hybrid genomes inherited from American chestnut (Castanea dentata). Black dots are trees with inferior blight resistance that were removed, red triangles are hybrid trees that were selected, and purple diamonds are F1 (50% American chestnut) hybrids. The green bracket depicts the wide range of variation in blight resistance in hybrids that inherited approximately 80% of their genome from American chestnut.

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Diversifying transgenic subpopulations of American chestnut. We aim to propagate blight-tolerant populations and conserve 1,000 wild-type In 2019, researchers at SUNY-ESF American chestnuts in orchards submitted their petition to the so that these wild trees will be U.S. Department of Agriculture readily available for breeding with to freely distribute transgenic transgenic American chestnuts. American chestnut pollen, seeds,  Under permit from the USDA, and seedlings that contain a we have started outcrossing wheat gene (oxalate oxidase) that transgenic trees with backcross enhances blight tolerance. TACF hybrids and wild-type American is working closely with SUNY- chestnuts. We will screen ESF on preparations to breed the progeny from these crosses transgenic tree with a diverse for blight resistance in 2020 to population of American chestnut determine if breeding the wheat in the event that it is deregulated. gene into backcross populations We are taking the following enhances blight resistance steps to prepare for transgenic beyond the resistance observed deregulation and diversification: in outcrosses to wild-type trees.  With funding from the USDA, we If deregulated, SUNY-ESF and TACF are partnering with Virginia Tech plan on releasing transgenic trees and the HudsonAlpha Institute for in two phases. First, we will release Biotechnology to sequence the early generations of transgenic genomes of approximately 500 trees with limited genetic wild American chestnuts from diversity for restoration trials and across the species range. The aim demonstration plantings. The of this research is to understand second phase entails outcrossing the link between genetic diversity transgenic trees to wild-type and climate adaptation in remnant trees over multiple generations populations of American chestnut. to generate a genetically diverse  We will use the results of population that is adapted to the genome sequencing to develop wide range of climates in which targets for the number of trees to American chestnut grows. conserve within locally-adapted

Screening for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service Resistance Screening Center and Clemson University, we inoculated 2,500 American chestnut backcross seedlings with Phytophthora cinnamomi, the pathogen that causes phytophthora root rot. This disease is lethal to American chestnut and is most prevalent south of . The range of P. cinnamomi is limited by cold winter temperatures, and it is moving north due to climate warming. In 2019, TACF’s state chapters, ranging from to , contributed seed from 84 backcross parents to increase the genetic diversity of trees selected for resistance to phytophthora root rot. Approximately 5% of the trees we inoculated with P. cinnamomi, survived infection. Survivors will be planted in an orchard where P. cinnamomi is present in the soil. We plan to breed trees that survive this additional orchard exposure to P. cinnamomi with backcross trees or transgenic trees with resistance to chestnut blight to combine resistance to these diseases.

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2019 Regional The American Chestnut Accomplishments Foundation consists of sixteen state chapters and thousands of volunteers, all of whom are committed to the restoration of the American chestnut. Each year, regional volunteers dedicate many hours to new plantings, orchard maintenance, and outreach activities to ensure that future generations will experience the splendor of this iconic tree.

Regional Stats New England 9,736 chestnuts planted 59 educational events with 48,297 attendees 2,033 volunteers

North Central 5,740 chestnuts planted 26 educational events with 9,413 attendees 489 volunteers

Mid-Atlantic 19,278 chestnuts planted 66 educational events with 12,265 attendees 1,102 volunteers

Southern 4,605 chestnuts planted 34 educational events with 14,214 attendees 454 volunteers

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New England Region State Chapters: , /, Maine, /

The Connecticut Chapter The Tantasqua Chestnut Project resurrected a new and improved has continued to blossom. Initially annual newsletter in electronic starting with a 7th grade science and print format named The teacher adding American chestnut New Leaf. It included articles to his curriculum, there is now an on a recently planted orchard, a afterschool Chestnut Club and patch of large American chestnut a community-wide restoration trees found in Plainfield, CT and project. The Replanting Monson chapter events from the previous Tree Committee has joined growing season. The chapter also forces and is now collaborating expanded its outreach program by to improve the ecological, adding an exhibit at the Durham historical and recreational value Fair in September. Members to a tornado ravaged stretch of harvested American and hybrid public forest land on the slopes chestnut trees in the fall and of Mt. Ella. Due to the generosity shucked the burs at their exhibit, of two anonymous donors, the showing fair participants how to chapter now owns two zero turn extract the precious nuts. The CT mowers in which to maintain the Flower and Garden Show draws MassWildlife Seed Orchard and the a large crowd every year and Robert J. Presutti Seed Orchard. chapter members table a booth University of Rhode Island Master to share the story of the American Gardeners, South Kingstown Land chestnut with visitors at the show. Trust volunteers and others, have TACF volunteer patches were donated invaluable time and funds purchased by the chapter to give to maintain chapter orchards. to active volunteers who help with The Vermont/New Hampshire orchard work and other projects. Chapter installed five small Discussions are currently underway plantings with signage in New with officials in a CT town to plant Hampshire between July 2018 and a chestnut seed orchard during July 2019 in Easton, Grey Rocks their Earth Day celebration. Conservation Area in Hebron, The Massachusetts/Rhode Island and Plymouth. Maintenance visits Chapter has put much effort into were conducted at five existing maintaining their Facebook page, educational planting locations. In realizing that social media is a February 2019, chapter volunteers quick and easy way to educate and tabled a display booth at the network with like-minded groups. New Hampshire Farm & Forest Posting events is also an efficient EXPO. Thousands attend this way to track activities and gain annual event and hundreds have exposure to potential collaborators visited the chapter’s booth. The and volunteers. This year the chapter gave five PowerPoint chapter added the Norfolk County presentations about American Agricultural School Seed Orchard chestnut restoration between July and students at Bristol County 2018 and July 2019. They were Agricultural School continue to attended by a total of 96 people. pot seeds in their greenhouses. Collaborations between chapter board, volunteers, teachers and students has been very successful.

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North Central Region State Chapters: , New York, , Pennsylvania/

Ohio Chapter leaders are working to incorporate American chestnut conservation and restoration into the new Wayne National Forest strategic plan. Plans for a new Germplasm Conservation Orchard (GCO) are being discussed with Dawes Arboretum in Columbus. The chapter provided a small grants program to Ohio organizations/partners that wish to plant chestnuts in the state. Two external grants were awarded in Ohio; one at Ohio University to study the effects of drought on blight resistance, and another at Ohio State University, looking at the dispersal of chestnuts by blue jays.

The Pennsylvania/New Jersey Chapter continues to provide integral research support by replicating small-stem assay tests (SSA) on 3,000+ seedlings a year. In addition, to further promote TACF’s initiative of conserving unique lines inoculation, selection, and phenotyping at the Codorus of wild American chestnuts, the chapter is gearing up to Recurrent Selection Timber Orchard next summer. Those collect and graft a minimum of 10 new, unique American F2-generation trees may provide data to help further chestnut sources. Finally, through the early efforts of Dave unlock the complicated mechanisms of blight resistance. Armstrong and Dr. Bob Leffel, the chapter will assist with

 New Regional Planting Locations         New England Southern          Hamden, CT Rome, GA           Walpole, MA Snellville, GA          Chelsea, ME Athens, GA                   Deering, NH Hagan Mountain, GA                    Plymouth, NH Bahama, NC                      Swannanoa, NC             Mid-Atlantic            Little River, NC      Grantsville, MD                  Chevy Chase, MD North Central                 Clarksville, MD Guys Mills, PA                  New Castle, VA Pittsburgh, PA                        Warrenton, VA State College, PA           Wayne, WV Ligonier, PA         Beckley, WV     Parsons, WV   Randolph County, WV  Fayetteville, WV West Liberty, WV

LEGEND  Research Affiliate  Little’s Range of  New Orchards 2018-19 American Chestnut  Previously Established Orchards 7 THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

Mid-Atlantic Region State Chapters: , , Virginia,

The Kentucky Chapter joined historic significance of the tree, social media by creating their how it was nearly wiped out own Facebook, Twitter, and by chestnut blight, and efforts Instagram accounts. The chapter being made to restore and return also expanded media exposure the tree to its native range. to include TEDx Talks and radio Gail Olson, another VA Chapter talk shows. A Chestnut Festival member, led participants to Committee was created to focus the native garden surrounding on festivals taking place in KY and the office at Meadowview. The how the chapter might partner garden was a collaborative effort with and participate in these between VA Chapter members events to help generate interest and the County in American chestnut restoration Master Gardeners, a continuing and attract new members. partnership that benefits both organizations. Finally, former The Maryland Chapter’s TACF Horticulture and Pathology partnership with the Baltimore Specialist Laura Barth gave visitors County Greenhouse was initiated a tour of the new greenhouses at and has become the centerpiece the farm, explaining the breeding of this year’s efforts. In this project process, the small stem assay alone, nearly 5,000 seeds were project underway at the time, and planted and many, now saplings, answering many good questions! were tested to determine which Chapter members value and enjoy are most resistant to chestnut working with staff at Meadowview blight – a process called small Research Farms, and would like stem assays. The chapter plans to especially thank them for to use the greenhouse to screen helping prepare the facilities all seeds intended for their for the visiting public and for breeding orchards next spring. supervising volunteer efforts. If successful, it’s anticipated the chapter will be able to The West Virginia Chapter significantly reduce the efforts continues to look for new activities required to grow and maintain and opportunities to attract new plants in the orchard, while at membership. Robert Sypolt, the same time have the ability to president of the chapter, received screen much larger numbers for the Volunteer Service Award in resistance in the seedling stage. October at TACF’s 2019 Annual An article was published in the Fall Meeting in Gettysburg, PA. Baltimore Sun about the initial planting: http://bit.ly/2PfOqRc

The Virginia Chapter experienced many successes at this year’s Virginia Highlands Festival, one of the largest outdoor arts, crafts, music, and outdoor festivals in the state. Members in the southwest branch of the chapter offered a tour at TACF’s Meadowview Research Farms in Meadowview, VA. Stan Tucker discussed the

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Southern Region State Chapters: Alabama, Carolinas, ,

Carolinas Chapter member Jon Taylor has continued hiking the Appalachian Trail, one section at a time, collecting data on large American chestnut trees he finds near the trail. Several chapter members have written articles that were published in TACF’s Chestnut magazine. Chapter President Doug Gillis is the Pacific Northwest contact for members and others interested in American chestnut trees in , , and Washington State, because of his connections in those states.

The Georgia Chapter, in association with Reinhardt University, helped initiate the Austin Flint Internship in spring 2019 to support work at The Flint Seed Orchard in Waleska, GA. Research on vegetative propagation, alternative small stem assays, and collection of material for DNA analysis was completed with help from chapter member Ana Metaxas and three Berry College interns. Soil samples were taken from active and potential orchard sites by member John French, for P. cinnamomi assays by Steve Jeffers. Progeny from Chestnut Return Farms in SC was propagated for use in GA orchard sites, including University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station. Chapter member Martin Cipollini co-authored two papers; First report of Meloidogyne javanica infecting American chestnut trees (Castanea dentata) in Georgia, and Identifying host resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi in hybrid progeny of Castanea dentata and Castanea mollissima. The chapter was awarded $6,500 in June 2019 by the Lumpkin Coalition from HemlockFest funds, for a three year total of $41,500.

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OUR DONORS: July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 The American Chestnut Foundation deeply $25,000+ $10,000 – $24,999 appreciates the hard work Allegheny Foundation Betty and John Allison Anonymous Anna-Maria and Stephen of its chapter volunteers Ballyshannon Fund Kellen Foundation Colcom Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Antoline and committed supporters. Robert H. Dunlap David Barensfeld Our mission is long-range, The Estate of Catherine Lynch Sheldon Campbell Norfolk Southern Foundation Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation and your charitable Orentreich Family Foundation Stevan S. Dietz contributions allow this Brad Stanback and George S. Gibbs III Foundation Shelli Lodge-Stanback Bernard Klein conservation success story The Archie W. and Grace Fred and Alice Stanback Berry Foundation TACF-Virginia Chapter to continue. We are truly The Manton Foundation The Community Foundation of grateful for your help in The Ohrstrom Foundation Western USDA Forest Service, Southern Region The Cricket Foundation restoring this iconic species. Richard and Carol Will The Tucker Foundation W. Duane Waddell

THANK YOU to all our volunteers and supporters.

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$5,000 – $9,999 LuLu Colby Graham-Kucera Sordoni Family Dr. Bennett and Anne David Colquitt Philanthroptic Fund at Foundation Cowan Anonymous Scott Conking the Community Lisa and Walter Thomson Donald and Diana Cheng Stephen Barilovits III Eric Costello Foundation of Greater Barbara Tormoehlen D’Agati Jeananne Campbell Buffalo Clarence L. Covert James and Nancy Ulring Brian Decker David Greenewalt Emanuel Landsman Urban Forestry Robert Dietz Charitable Trust William Jay Cude III Duke Layfield Organization Dr. David Dillard Michael Doochin and T. Gray Curtis, Jr. Donald K. Lorenzo Jennifer Wagner and Susan Dorward Linda Kartoz Doochin Frank A. DeCocco Dr. William and Nora Robert Vessey Mary Lou Egan and Marc John and Deborah Lawrence and Genevieve MacDonald Bruce Wakeland and Bendick, Jr. Evangelakos Dimmitt Rex and Anita Mann Margaret Baumer Patricia Eifel Felburn Foundation Dun Foundation Jacqueline Ted Watkins Albert C. and Judy Faust Foundation for Norman Egbert H. Thomas Webb III and Sustainability and Herbert Eplee Shawn McCanna Mervin Feathers Dr. Kathryn S. Heath Innovation J. Henry and Mollie Fair Drs. Brian and Dawn Heidi Fiscus WestWind Foundation Karen Hindhede McCarthy Patrick M. Flaherty Yvonne Federowicz Claire and Tom Whelan Joseph Kirk Steve McKee Frederick H. and Diane C. Ed Fleming Tom Wild Barry Kriegel Larry McReynolds Prince Foundation Peter C. and Betsy Forster Donald C. Willeke, Esq. Wayne Lattuca David Menke R. Michael Gadbaw Frank Cross Foundation John W. Willingham Lewis and Kate Lobdell Jay and Jennifer Mills Geoffrey Garin Donald Lateiner and E. Karen Wilson Catherine D. Mayes Marianne Gabel Kincaid and Allison Mills GE Foundation Matching Hope Yandell Gifts Program Jack Mckee Gentle Harvest Monomoy Fund, Inc. Carol and Stephen George L. Ohrstrom II R. Douglas and Marsha Dr. Wayne Moore and $500 – $999 Geremia Kathryn Rowe Gillis Mrs. Laura Kaufman Joseph Golden Nicholas A. Skinner Kenneth Goff Robert Moss Mark Achenbach Goldman Sachs Matching David W. Hare Christopher O’Brien Kenneth Adams The Neil and Anna Gifts Program Rasmussen Foundation Richard Hayne Susie O’Keefe Nick Alt D. John Grace, Jr. The Pierson Family Fund Alan and Yvonne Palmer AmazonSmile James Healy Franklin “Bucky” Green Stephen S. and Kimberly Z. Cartter and Lee Patten Foundation Karl Hedderich John Greene Trundle Edward Pfeiffer Brett Andrzejewski Karen Howat Laurence Grossman Willis and Elsie Shenk Nancy Pfister Anonymous William Winston Hoy, Jr. Thomas Halbach Foundation Thomas M. Pugel Joshua Arnow and Elyse Hudson Farm Foundation F. S. Hale Mark J. Wilson V. Watson Pugh, M.D. Arnow Brill James Iker and Hayes Stuart Hall Valerie Wilson Nuss Douglas Ross Christine Barensfeld William R. Hauenstein Jackson Family Donor Adam Rossi Daniel K. Barthels Wayne Helming $1,000 – $4,999 Advised Fund of Emily Rutherford Ashton Belew Reginald Henry Waccamaw Benevity Causes Joel and Marla Adams Sandpiper Fund Community Craig Bennett Stuart and Daphne Charles and Deanna Akre Schneider Electric North Foundation Brian Bentzen Himelfarb John M. Allan America Matching Gift Isaac W. Jeanes III Steve and Karen Black Christopher D. Hinderliter Anonymous Program Russell Jeffers and Jenny Lynn Bradley Barbara Kingsolver and Arnot Sportsmen Club, James Scotton Steven Hopp Claudia Dwass Andrew Brill Inc. Eileen E. Scutt William Hyre Alexander and Roberta Jewell Ward and Jim Bailey Nurseries, Inc. James E. Searing Jeffries Brooks IBM Corporation Adele Baker Sallie Beckwith Smith Matchings Grants Wanda C. John Edwin L. Bryan J.C. Smith Program Bruce Beal Edward C. and Elizabeth Richard Cain Andrew Sordoni James G. Jenkins Henry and Maria Campell Johnson Michael and Victoria Dr. Kim and Susan Eric Johnson Carl Siemon Family Johnson & Johnson Caldwell Steiner James L. Johnson Charitable Trust Matching Gifts Roy Campbell Mark and Vicky Stoakes Lisa Jones Winola H. Carman Program Scott Carlberg Ken Sutton Peter Kemmerer Dr. Gary and Robert Johnson, Jr. George H. V. Cecil Darlene Carver Brian F. Sweeney Albert L. Key JW Underwood Celanese Foundation T. Wayne Cary Construction, LLC William C. Sykes Employee Engagement Dr. Thomas Klak Philip Chaplin Kathryn D. Freeman Trust TACF-AL Chapter Fund Cubby Knapp Phillip Chase Keller Family Fund Charles M. Tarver Mark Chapman Richard Latty Michael J. Clark Stiles Kellett, Jr. The Ashland Foundation Kent Chastain Sandy Lerner Brian E. Clark Barbara B. Knapp The Benevity Community Justin Collinet Herbert Ley Fred Clodfelter Grace and Randolph Impact Fund Donald R. Cornwell and Karen Lindig William and Jane Coble Knight The Gilbert Foundation Linda K. Thomsen Jacob Lindler

11 THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

Sue Brooks Littlefield Jon Spangler Leslie Baker G. Robert Cooley John Gerstmayr Carlos Lopez Rogers Starr Sarah Baldwin Patrick Cornbill Amanda Gist Dr. William and Faye Lord Chris Stockdale Larry Ballard James H. Cotter Dorian S. Goldman Leonard and Pat Maguire James B. Patterson, Jr. Jame W. Barrick Dr. Rick Cotton Lucy Gorelli William Marcus Sunny Point Cafe Dale Bartlett Wayne Cress John Buzz Grace Charles Mathes William Craig Taylor Allen Berg The Brown Crosby Fund Barry Gragg Frank Mauran Richard and Dianne Mark Besserman of The Community Roger and Janet Gram Wayne McCoy, Jr. Taylor James Biasco Foundation of Western Michael Grames Edsel McGrady Barry Thacker Keith A. Bibbee North Carolina Joshua Granger John Mead The Inman Foundation Amanda Blackburn Robert Cunningham Andrew Gregas Allen Meek Thrivent Financial for Dr. Bruce and Diane Mitch Davidson William Griffin Bonnie E. Meeks Lutherans Foundation Blank Joy Davis Gerald Grossman Jeff Mentzer Matching Gifts Bocock/Hitz Fund at the John Dawson John Gudger Program James and Barbara Charlottesville Area Jeffrey Dayton Mark Guillaume Mersereau Barry Tiedt Community Mark Desantis Michael Haas Foundation Alan Milliner Cynthia and Terrence Dr. Robert Detjen Michael D. Hagen Tobias James A. Bolinsky Millvale Sportsmens Club, Andrew and Nancy John Haight Dale L. Travis Langhorne M. and Inc. Dewing Ryan Hall Vicki Turner Enriqueta Bond Philip Moyers Thomas and Elizabeth Wade Hall Gary Boone J. Michael Nave Jan R. Van Meter Dietz William Hall Glen D. and Suzanne V. Joseph Nicholson James and Jocelyn Dimensions Furniture William S. Hall VanBokkelen Bottoms Jennifer O’Donnell William Ditzler Eric Hamberger Vanguard Matching Gift Nicholas Bova Hugh O’Shields, Jr. Charles W.H. Dodge Frank Hammond Program Ron and Susan Bowman Dr. Jack Ostroff William Douglas Richard Hansen Judge Gary Wade Brannon Family Forest Otter Run Fish and Game David Driscoll John Hansen Pat Neff Walker Eleanor Braun Club Duke Energy Foundation Wayne Harlow Marc and Toni Walton John Bravman Oliver and Barbara Matching Gifts Roger Brooks D. Michael Harrison Parker Richard Watson Program Tim and Michelle Sterling Hart Joseph and Sarah Parrish Roy Whitehead Adam Dunsby Brookshire Raymond Haupt Allen Paugh Edward W. Wilburn M. Lee Eberhart Steve Brown Michael Hawk Donald Williams Elizabeth Edward James Peltz Denny Buchannon Wayne and Jeanne Hearn Peter H. Williams Doug Edwards Clyde E. Perdue Charles Buchter Robert Heath Janet Wilson Courtney Ek Josiah Pierce Cecil Burgin Lynn Heltzel David Wilson and Melody Joseph Emert John F. Price Carmen and Mike Alvin Hemmingsen Wilder Stephen Evans Ross Prior Burkhalter Peter Hiam Dennis Woodward Shawn Evans and Lauren Allen and Susan Proper Thomas Burns Cleveland Hickman YourCause Corporate Nason Herbert D. Quinn, Jr. Jeff Buscher Mr. Benjamin L. Hicks Giving Program Peter Ewing Edward A. Raymond III George Bustamante Richard High Joseph P. Zembas Fairlee Town Forest William Reist Fred Calhoun Hill and Dale Garden Club Gene Feher Eugene Renfroe Carl L. Campbell David Hillman $300 – $499 G. Archibald Fenton Stephen H. and Elizabeth Carolina Mountain Club, Richard L. Hoffman Reynolds Arnold Abel Inc. David Ferencz M. Raymond Honeycutt Alexis Rieffel Abelson Echo Lake Mr. Eugene Carr Dr. Penelope Firth and Dr. Dianne and Dennis David Knapp Paul D. Ross, Jr. Partnership Matthew D. Carson Howard Chris Fischer Walter Rybka & Carita Nancy Adams David Caruso Thomas Huff Raymond W. Fisher Bergelin-Rybka David Adams Larry and Barbara Tim Huffman Patrick Scanlan Aero Supplies, Employer Catuzzi Valerie Fisk Samuel Huffman, Jr. Howard Schlegel Charity Matching John Chamberlin Mac and Margaret Foster Timothy A. Ingraham Polly and Thaddeus Fred Ahlborn, Jr. Bart Chezar Thomas C. Frank Nick and Cynthia Islin Seymour Blaine Aikin Michael Christopher Richard Frase Dean Jackson Dr. Edith L. Shapira Steve Albright Constance Cichon Daniel Fremer Gary A. Jacob Barbara and Robert Shaw Matthew Althouse Guy Alan Clark Jameson French Donald Jarosz E.A. Sheehan Charles Anderson Levi Clark Jeff Fullilove Dr. Andrew M. Jarosz John M. Shepherd Becky Anderson Terrence Cody Morgan P. Gaffey William and Jean Jeffries James Sizemore Dale Angerman, M.D. Joy Coleman Marc Gamble Duane Jenks Jay G. Smale Anonymous Dennis and Catherine Newton Garland Ann Johnson Randy Smith John and Betsy Araujo Collis Betty Garrand Thom Johnson David Somers Mary Ayres and Jack Kerr Wayne Conley, DDS Michele George Troy Johnson

12 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Thomas Jones Allan Jefferson Andrew Quale and Sally David Sullivan John and Mary Sweig Rachel Jones McDonald, Jr. Ellis Quale J. J. Summerell Wilson Robert H. Jones James McDonnell Doug Rademacher Carolyn Summers John Wilson Ronnie Justice Douglas McLane Stephen Rademaker TACF-Carolinas Chapter Richard Woodruff Monika Kaminski John and Connie John Raftis David Tate George Woodzell David Keehn McLendon Dustin Readinger William Sledge Taylor III Robert Woolcock Michael Kelley David McMillin Brian K. Rearick Crystal Teed Tucker Worley Abby Kemp John Meiklejohn Matt Rebillard Kevin Teel Janet Wright John Kendall Hunter Melville Brooks Rice Timothy Termini David Wright Colleen Kirby Wilhelm Merck William Richtsmeier The Chestnut Grille at the Dean and Ann Yap Priscilla J. Kistler Claudia Methvin William Rieley Green Park Inn Jay M. Ziegler Earl Kittle Anne-Frances Miller Roger Roahrig Carol Stuart Charles Knapp Larry Miller and Judith Alan M. Robertson John Thorsen Brian Kolar Day Doug Robinson TIAA Charitable Giving Fund Dr. Glenn Kotnik David Mitchell James Rogers Dean G. Tintle DVM Ronald Kuipers Anthony Miyake Todd Ryan Ross Zachary Tochka Christine and Robert Douglas and Janet Walter Rudin, Jr. Kuntz Emerson Moffat Fred and Claire Saal Larry Totten David Travalini Blair Laddusaw Dr. Robert More Thomas Saunders Kirk Turner John S. LaMonica Fisher Corlies Morgan Maxine Saylor Nathan Uhlenbrock Jill Lampe James Morrison Dennis Schave John Uitendaal Larry Lamphier John Moscati Jr. Mark A. Scheel Andrew Updegrove Warren P. Laws II Matthew Myers Mary Schmidt UDA FFA Steven Leath Benjamin Myser Robert Schul Steven Urkowitz Jerry A. Legg, Jr. Judy Nesset Martin Schulman USDA NRCS-CPA Cody Lensing Steve Neu Andrew C. Scott Rufin Van Bossuyt Bruce Levine and Laura Allen and Fran Nichols Douglas W. Sellers Robert Van Brunt Goertzel Daniel Nydick Francis Shea Zak Van Loocke Nathaniel Levy Tom and Genevieve Jay Sherer David Vanaman Janice Lewis Obrig James Shissler Marianne Marsolais and Charles Likel Richard Olsen-Harbich Joel Sirkin Edward Vander Roy Orton Gordon Lillibridge Brooks Sitterley Hoeven Lowell Lingo Douglas H. Oswald Joan Slemenda Bruce Vanderhoff William Link John Outten Randall E. Slimak Christina Vieglais Richard D. Long Robert and Elizabeth Thomas Smith Robert Volpe Owens James Harbage Ford Smith Donald R. Walker Lookout Mountain Glenn Palmer Philip Smith Roderick S. Walker Conservancy Pamela Parker William Smith Bryan Walt Charles Lowe Paschal Family Charitable H. Michael Smolak John Wayman Fund Gary Ludi Gregory M. Somerville Matthew Weaver Anne Payne David and Emily Luebke Wayne Souter Kent Webber Andrew Lyjak Vincent and Cynthia Southern Conservation Joseph Webster Payne Kevin Madsen District Mr. Larry A. Wehr Stephen Peck Stephen Malcom Marcie Spencer Karl Weintz Jason Peters Thomas J. Maley Ann Spires Arthur W. Welsner Michael Martin Emilie Phillips and Tyson Spring Grove Cemetery Frank and Susan Wesley Sawyer Eric Maschuck and Arboretum Linda and Wayne Roxanne and David David Pitard Louis M. Springer Westbrook Matthews Robert Platner Ronald L. Stancliff Sidney Whelan, Jr. Melanie and Tom Mauldin Rachel Plemons Starlight Forests, LLC David Whitfield Jonathan E. May Joel Pominville Ken Steben L.S. Wiener Virginia Maybank Margaret Powell James Steele J. Tracy and Barbara Jeffrey McAveney Gretchen Preston Rusty Stewart Wilkerson Dwaine and Frances Dennis Bradley Price Roger Stillwater Mark Willcher McCollum Felicity Purzycki Susan Straw Richard Williams Alan McCoy John V. Quackenbush William S. Strong Stanton Williams

We regret any omissions or errors and encourage you to bring them to our attention.

13 THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

LEGACY TREE ORCHARD the promise of future forests

In 2018, The American Chestnut Foundation established a new Legacy Tree Orchard at the Glenn C. Price Research Farm in Meadowview, VA. This orchard reflects advances in the breeding program to produce blight-resistant American chestnuts. The Legacy Tree Orchard will be composed of a progeny of controlled crosses

between BC3F2 parents that have been identified as having among the highest blight resistance in the population. The progeny of these blight- resistant parents will be planted away from other susceptible trees. In 5 – 10 years, when the trees in this new orchard flower, they will intercross to produce seed with improved blight resistance as compared with the previous generation.

Each tree is sponsored by an individual – either in their own name, the name of a company or organization, or in honor/memory of a friend or loved one. The sponsorship is acknowledged by an individual plaque placed by the named tree.

All funding received through the Legacy Tree Sponsorship Program is used to support TACF’s scientific research to rescue this ecologically significant keystone tree species.

14 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Legacy Tree Sponsors as of June 30, 2019

21st Century Parks Inc. in honor of The J. Michel Guite Family Brad Stanback and George Gibbs, Louisville, KY Foundation, Greenwich, CT Shelli Lodge-Stanback in honor of Fred J. Stanback, Jr. The Family of the Rev. and Peggy and Dwight Harley, Sr. in honor Mrs. Hugh W. Agricola, Jr. of Harley and Ringer Families Donald and Mary Stout Foundation Allegheny Foundation In memory of Robert C. Hempel The Sudbury Foundation in honor of John Taft Anonymous in honor of The Hoy Family Maine Chapter of TACF Timothy Sweeney The Janice Michelle Foundation Steve Antoline The Tobias Family, New Freedom, PA Betty Johnson in honor of Stephen G. Banks in honor of Marshal Case Rufin Van Bossuyt Glenn Banks Kentucky Chapter of TACF Virginia Chapter of TACF David Barensfeld in honor of Robert The Knebel Family W. Duane Waddell Barensfeld, Planter of Trees Randolph and Grace Knight West Virginia Chapter of TACF in David and Annie Bingham memory of Garold W. Thumm The LaRoche Family, Ted, Gloria, The Blackmore-Gott Family Ashley and David, their spouses and WestWind Foundation Jonathan Butler in memory of children Richard Will Family Dr. John M. Butler Lewis and Kate Lobdell in honor of Richard Will in honor of: Sheldon Campbell Kale Partners and The Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania Partners in TACF Volunteers In Honor of T. Wayne Cary, Conservation Anchorage, Dr. Norman Borlaug Mark Mayer in honor of Richard Will John M. Cholin Marshal Case Paul McArthur in honor of William Coffey in honor of Dr. Al Ellingboe Richard Will Richard Will Dr. Fred Hebard WestRock Foundation Scott Conking and Thomas Wall in Dr. William MacDonald memory of Jerry S. Conking Peter Mennen Rex Mann Connecticut Chapter of TACF Community Foundation in memory of Phil Rutter Robert W. Cramer in honor of Henry B.R. Brown Lewis L. Cramer Dr. Paul Sisco Robert I. Owens Dr. Thomas Gray Curtis, Jr. Brad Stanback and Alan and Yvonne Palmer Shelli Lodge-Stanback Stevan S. Dietz in honor of Dr. Albert Dietz Debby Pearsall, Mt. Bethel, PA James Ulring Vevie and Lawrence Dimmitt in In Memory of Auden Orion Rafert, Daphne Van Schaick memory of Lawrence Dimmitt IV Forever in our Hearts Donald C. Willeke, Esq. (9/29/1984 - 8/24/2017) Dr. Gary Roop Family Alan and Marilyn Youel Vevie and Lawrence Dimmitt in Emily Rutherford in honor of children memory of Charles Parkhill Lykes In Memory of Arthur Williams, and grandchildren of (3/4/1917 - 5/25/1989) (1872-1961) Great Bend, PA the Rutherford, Smykal, and Michael and Linda Doochin Cookerly families In Memory of Norman H. Williams, and Family (1913-2000) New Milford, PA William T. Smith in honor of Robert H. Dunlap Mennen the Myers and Smith families of Alan and Marilyn Youel Environmental Foundation Pennsylvania Stephen and Suzan Zoukis in honor dedicated to Edwin Smoots of Cashiers Village Gary and Lynn Anderson Brad Stanback and John Evangelakos Family Shelli Lodge-Stanback in honor of Georgia Chapter of TACF William D. Nelson

15 THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

Public Support and Other Revenues % OF INCOME Contributions $2,370,092 75.4% Membership 434,771 13.8% Federal Grants 75,000 2.4% Investment Income 192,045 6.1% Merchandise Sales 24,284 0.8% All Other Income 47,083 1.5% TOTAL REVENUE $3,143,275

Expenses % OF EXPENSE Program Services External Research $376,352 15.2% National Office Operations 430,298 17.3% Marketing & Communications 80,690 3.3% Science & Research 590,869 23.8% Chapter & Membership 225,595 9.1% Research Farm Operations 451,049 18.2% Forestry & Mine Land 13,194 0.5% TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICES $2,168,047 87.4%

Supporting Services Management & General $270,832 10.9% Fundraising $41,615 1.7% TOTAL SUPPORTING SERVICES $312,447 12.6%

TOTAL EXPENSES $2,480,494

Fundraising: 1.7% Management & General: 10.9%

Total Program Services: 87.4%

TACF is extremely proud of its 2018 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for six straight years.

16 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

TACF National Office New England Regional Office 50 N. Merrimon Avenue UVM Aiken Forestry Service Suite 115 Labs / USFS NRS Asheville, NC 28804 705 Spear Street (828) 281-0047 South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 999-8706 Meadowview Research Farms 29010 Hawthorne Drive North Central Regional Office Meadowview, VA 24361-3349 Pennsylvania State University (276) 944-4631 206 Forest Resources Lab University Park, PA 16802 Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (814) 863-7192 The American Chestnut Foundation 900 Natural Resources Drive Southern Regional Office Charlottesville, VA 22903 (828) 50 N. Merrimon Avenue 281-0047 Suite 115 Asheville, NC 28804 (434) 906-9312

CONTACT US [email protected] ~ acf.org facebook.com/americanchestnut instagram.com/tacf1983 twitter.com/chestnut1904

OFFICERS EMERITUS MEMBERS Jules Smith, Media & CHAIRMAN: Essie Burnworth Communications Manager Brian McCarthy, Ph.D., OH (posthumously) Jared Westbrook, Ph.D. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Gary Carver, Ph.D. Director of Science Michael D. Doochin, TN Herbert F. Darling, Jr. Shana Zimnoch, SECRETARY AND Hugh Irwin Gifts and Records Specialist GOVERNANCE William G. Lord, D.V.M. (d) MEADOWVIEW COMMITTEE CHAIR: William L. MacDonald, Ph.D. Eric Jenkins, William Jay Cude, TN Glen Rea Tree Breeding Coordinator TREASURER AND FINANCE Rufin Van Bossuyt Lily Kingsolver, Nursery COMMITTEE CHAIR: Richard Will Barbara Tormoehlen, OH Manager CHIEF SCIENTIST EMERITUS Dan McKinnon, SENIOR SCIENCE ADVISOR: Frederick V. Hebard, Ph.D. Director of Farm Operations Kim Steiner, Ph.D., PA Jim Tolton, SCIENCE AND HONORARY DIRECTORS Farm Maintenance TECHNOLOGY CHAIR : President Jimmy Carter Technician Steve Barilovits III, NC Richard A. Jaynes, Ph.D. Brandon Yañez-Breeding, LEGAL COUNSEL: Mrs. Mary Belle Price (d) Research Technician Donald C. Willeke, Esq., MN Peter H. Raven, Ph.D. PRESIDENT & CEO: Philip A. Rutter REGIONAL SCIENCE Lisa Thomson Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D. COORDINATORS Sara Fitzsimmons, BOARD OF DIRECTORS STAFF North Central, and Director Hill Craddock, Ph.D., TN ASHEVILLE of Restoration Deborah Delmer, Ph.D., NC Lisa Thomson, Kendra Collins, Carolyn Howes Keiffer, President & CEO New England Ph.D., OH Betsy Gamber, Ben Jarrett, Southern Dennis Liu, Ph.D., NC Vice President of Operations Thomas Saielli, Mid-Atlantic Gregory Miller, Ph.D., OH Judy Antaramian, Allen Nichols, NY Membership Coordinator Z. Cartter Patten, TN Samantha Bowers, Jim Searing, PA Grants Manager Jeanne Romero-Severson, Cherin Marmon-Saxe, Ph.D., IN Office and Business Bradford Stanback, NC Systems Manager Bruce Wakeland, IN Heather Nelson, Controller John Wenderoth, DE

17 50 N. Merrimon Avenue, Suite 115 Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 281-0047 acf.org

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The American Chestnut Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. Tax ID: 41-1483019