2025 Annual Report, The American Chestnut Foundation by The American Chestnut Foundation

THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

ANNUAL REPORT

WORKING TOWARDS SUCCESS July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

TO SURVIVE, COMPETE, AND REPRODUCE IN EASTERN US FORESTS

THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

REFLECTIONS ON A TRANSFORMATIVE YEAR

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chair

Science Report

Farms Report

Regional Reports

Our Donors

Financials

ANNUAL REPORT

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

Dear Colleagues and Friends: As I reflect on the past year at The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), I am deeply inspired, not only by the resilience of the American chestnut tree, but also by this dedicated community. Together, we have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to restore the American chestnut to its native range. The 2024-2025 fiscal year stands out as a time when we began effectively rebuilding our organization, even as we continued to move forward. Through significant leadership changes and a renewed focus on science, we have strengthened our efforts and set a firm course for the future. 2025 brought about a transition in leadership, with interim CEO Bruce Levine guiding the organization. Under his direction, the Board approved the 2025-2027 strategic plan, marking a pivotal step in TACF’s journey. Our dedicated staff promptly began implementing this plan, further demonstrating our commitment to the science and mission of American chestnut restoration. TACF’s scientific endeavors have made significant progress on multiple fronts, guided by the expert recommendations of the Research Advisory Committee. Notably, TACF established a valuable partnership with NC State University’s Tree Improvement Program. This collaboration has been crucial, providing the critical information needed to strengthen our breeding program, with a focus on genetic diversity, disease resistance, and height growth. Additionally, TACF hosted its first biotechnology summit. Leading

experts working with innovative technologies and approaches came together across different systems to explore their potential for enhancing disease resistance. From this summit, the group identified four promising directions for future research, which are being pursued alongside our ongoing breeding program. We are also working closely with chapters, members, and volunteers to enhance and expand our restoration initiatives, ensuring broader and more effective impact across our programs. Beyond these scientific achievements, we have experienced growth in both membership and revenue. Generosity from a dedicated group of donors has kept us financially on track, providing the resources necessary to sustain our mission and programs. We also proudly established a new New York Chapter Board, who will further support and expand our restoration efforts.

All these accomplishments have been made possible by the dedication of everyone who believes in TACF. With the appointment of our new CEO, Michael Georgen, I am confident that we are moving forward as a sustainable, resilient, and mission-driven organization. The future of the American chestnut is indeed bright, and together, we will continue to make meaningful progress toward its historical comeback. With best regards,

Liz Kramer, Board of Directors Chair The American Chestnut Foundation

ACCELERATING GAINS BY DR. JARED WESTBROOK, DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE

IN DISEASE RESISTANCE AND FOREST COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH GENOME-ENABLED BREEDING

Success in American chestnut (Castanea dentata) restoration depends on developing a population of trees with enough blight resistance and height growth potential to survive, compete, and reproduce in eastern forests. A subset of the population should also have resistance to Phytophthora root rot, especially in the southern portion of the range, where this disease is most prevalent. Finally, the population should have sufficient genetic diversity to adapt to a wide geographic range and a changing climate.

genotyping seedlings to predict the genetic component of disease resistance and growth from a weighted average of relatives’ phenotypes. The practical benefit of genomic selection is that it allows us to select the predicted top-performing trees as seedlings and plant them together in seed orchards, where they are expected to produce large quantities of open-pollinated seed for restoration plantings over the next 7 to 15 years (Figure 1).

Our breeding program aims to meet these objectives by breeding a diverse population of C. dentata hybrids with above-average disease resistance and height growth, and selecting progeny that show

Accurate genomic selection depends on genotyping and phenotyping close relatives of the population targeted for selection. To incorporate close relatives into our genomic selection training populations, we inoculated and genotyped full-sibling

further improvement in these traits. To speed up the selection of superior progeny, we are incorporating genomic selection to predict trees’ disease resistance and height growth. Genomic selection involves

TACF Tree Improvement Scientist Lucinda Wigfield performing a controlled pollination with progeny of large surviving American chestnut to evaluate the level of heritable blight resistance in C. dentata populations.

SCIENCE REPORT

July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

FIGURE 1

ranging from 25 to 69 (average 39) on a scale of 0 (average of susceptible C. dentata) to 100 (average of resistant Chinese chestnuts) (Figure 2). We plan to plant individuals within the highest predicted resistance from these families in three seed orchard locations in North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania in the Spring of 2026.

A. Diagram of one cycle of recurrent genomic selection for improved blight resistance, root rot resistance, and height growth while maintaining >70% C. dentata ancestry. The top 20% with the greatest predicted performance based on genomic data will be planted in seed orchards. Remaining trees will be planted in progeny tests or inoculated as seedlings. The dotted line indicates that resistance values of close relatives will be used to train genomic selection models.

Trees not selected for seed orchards will be planted in progeny tests. Progeny tests improve genomic selection models for the next breeding cycle by training prediction models on long-term resistance phenotypes from field-grown trees (Figure 1). Furthermore, we expect that among trees planted within progeny tests, some will exhibit superior disease resistance and growth and could be incorporated as parents into the next breeding

B. Predicted genetic gains from one generation of genomic selection. Gains were predicted for two breeding tracks where controlled crosses are conducted 1) between parents with above average blight resistance (>70, on a scale of 0 = susceptible C. dentata to 100 = resistant C. mollissima scale) and height growth (>70th percentile) or 2) parents that balance improved blight resistance (>60), root rot resistance (>40), and height growth. The yellow and blue violin plots depict genetic variation among 20% of the trees selected via genomic data relative to the current population (orange) of surviving trees.

FIGURE 1A. DIAGRAM OF RGS PROGRAM

YEAR 2:YEAR 2: GENOMIC PREDICTION GENOMIC PREDICTION

YEAR 3:YEAR 3: FIELD PLANTING FIELD PLANTING

15% Root15% RotRoot Rot 50% No 50% No Innoculation Innoculation

40% in 40% in ProgenyProgeny Tests Tests Training Training on Siblings on Siblings

10% Orchards in Seed Orchards 10% in Seed Selections) (Genomic(Genomic Selections)

Breeding Breeding target 100target

50 0 -50

TREE HEIGHT TREE HEIGHT 12.5 10.0 7.5 5.0

Canopy height (m)

35% Blight 35% Blight

0 -50

Canopy height (m)

2: SEEDLING INNOCULATION YEAR 2:YEAR SEEDLING INNOCULATION

Resistance Index

Training on Parents Training on Parents

100

12.5 10.0 7.5 5.0

Resistance Index

150

2: GENOTYPING YEAR 2:YEAR GENOTYPING

ROOT ROT ROOT ROT

BLIGHTBLIGHT

ANCESTRY ANCESTRY 100 75 50 25 0

% C. dentata ancestry

YEAR 8+:RESISTANCE FIELD RESISTANCE YEAR 8+: FIELD AND GROWTH PHENOTYPING AND GROWTH PHENOTYPING

Resistance Index

1: CONTROLLED CROSSES YEAR 1:YEAR CONTROLLED CROSSES

FIGURE 1B. PREDICTED GAINS IN THE FIRST RGS CYCLE

% C. dentata ancestry

seedlings from the population undergoing genomic selection. In 2025, we genotyped 5,808 seedlings, of which 1,250 from 48 families were inoculated with the chestnut blight fungus, and ~350 seedlings from 18 families were inoculated with the pathogen that causes phytophthora root rot. We will use the diseaseresistance phenotypes of these relatives to predict the resistance of trees that are genotyped but not yet inoculated. Seedling inoculation also enables us to prioritize families with above-average disease resistance from which to perform genomic selection of the most resistant individuals for seed orchard plantings. In our seedling assays for blight resistance, we identified 15 hybrid families where the two parents had majority (>70%) C. dentata ancestry and elevated average resistance values

100 75 50 25 0

Unselected Blight + Height BlightRot + Root Rot + Height Unselected Blight + Height Blight + Root + Height

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cycle. In 2025, we planted 1,085 genotyped trees in three progeny test sites in Virginia and Tennessee. In 2026, we will plant up to 2,500 additional trees in progeny tests from the genotyping that we performed this year at sites in Michigan, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Maine. To generate additional seed for genotyping and disease resistance screening in 2026, we performed 81 controlled pollinations in 2025 to generate 6,562 seeds. In addition to making 67 crosses between hybrid selections, we also performed 13 controlled pollinations between descendants of large surviving American chestnuts (LSACs) with putative partial resistance to chestnut blight. Our goal with these crosses is to obtain robust estimates of the level of heritable blight resistance within

TACF New England Regional Science Coordinator Deni Ranguelova standing next to the ‘Graves’ tree, one the original sources of resistance used for TACF’s hybrid breeding program.

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2A. AVERAGE PARENTAL C. DENTATA ANCESTRY

Blight resistance among 48 families inoculated in seedling trials in 2025 relative to: 90

progeny mean resistance rating 60d

B. Average blight resistance estimates of the parents. Red dots indicate hybrid and large surviving American chestnut families with majority C. dentata ancestry and aboveaverage blight resistance that will be prioritized for seed orchard plantings in 2026.

FIGURE 2B. AVERAGE PARENTAL BLIGHT RESISTANCE

0.00

In addition to genome-enabled breeding, we continue to pursue research into biotechnological strategies to improve disease resistance. Recent collaborative research with HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotech-

A: average A: average parental parental C. dentata C. dentata ancestry ancestry B: average B: average parental parental blightblight resistance resistance progeny mean resistance rating 60d

A. Average C. dentata ancestry

non-hybrid C. dentata populations. In the 2025 seedling trials for blight resistance, we screened 10 LSAC families and the two most resistant families had low levels of resistance ranging from 16 to 21 (Figure 2). A hybrid breeding approach is likely to be necessary to obtain higher levels of blight and root rot resistance over the next decade. Nevertheless, we plan to continue with LSAC breeding. The LSAC families with the greatest blight resistance in seedling trials will be planted in orchards separate from hybrids to continue to improve disease resistance within the native C. dentata population.

0 0.00 0.25

0.25 0.50

0.50 0.75

0.75 1.00

1.00 0

75 100

100

THE NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

nology and Oak Ridge National Laboratory has identified key regions of the genome and metabolites involved in blight resistance. In May 2025, we hosted scientific and industry leaders to help prioritize future research to discover candidate genes and resistance mechanisms, improve genetic transformation and clonal propagation methods, and test innovative approaches to silence genes in blight and root rot pathogens to reduce their virulence. In this decades-long journey to generate chestnut populations suitable for restoration in eastern forests, we are grateful to our donors including, scientific collaborators, and partners who make this work possible.

SCIENCE REPORT

July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

TACF southern regional intern Mateo Craven performing chestnut blight inoculations on seedlings at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

1,250 FIRST-YEAR SEEDLINGS from 48 families inoculated with the chestnut blight fungus at three locations (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Meadowview Research Farms, and Penn State University)

262

350

SEEDLINGS selected for seed orchard plantings in Virginia and North Carolina in 2025 based on 2024 genomic data

SEEDLINGS from 18 families were inoculated with the pathogen that causes root rot at Clemson University

5,808

1,085

TREES genotyped for genomic prediction and hybrid ancestry assessment

TREES planted in progeny field trials to assess long-term blight resistance

6,538 TACF Director of Science Implementation Cassie Stark with a C. dentata backcross hybrid planted in the John’s Creek progeny test in central VA in 2012.

NUTS FROM CONTROLLED POLLINATIONS between trees with above-average blight and/or root rot resistance. The breakdown of controlled pollinations by region includes: NEW ENGLAND REGION: 8 crosses, 345 nuts NORTH CENTRAL REGION: 14 crosses, 2,514 nuts MID-ATLANTIC REGION: 8 crosses, 600 nuts MEADOWVIEW RESEARCH FARMS: 24 crosses, 1,374 nuts SOUTHERN REGION: 27 crosses, 1,729 nuts

BY DR. VASILIY LAKOBA, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND RESTORATION

PROGRESS AND PARTNERSHIPS AT MEADOWVIEW RESEARCH FARMS

The past year has been one of strong, measurable progress at Meadowview Research Farms (MRF), The American Chestnut Foundation’s central hub for scientific advancement and field implementation. As the most centralized site driving TACF’s recurrent genomic selection (RGS) program, Meadowview continues to serve as the operational backbone of our restoration efforts — linking research, field testing, and community collaboration. STRENGTHENING RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE In 2024, Meadowview completed several major upgrades that have expanded its research capacity and improved long-term sustainability.

A specimen of Castanea seguinii displaying both catkins and burs in the Castanetum — or collection of chestnut and chinquapin species — at Meadowview Research Farms.

The most visible achievement was the completion of the new researchgrade greenhouse in April 2025, a modern facility funded through the success of TACF’s 2023 Spring Appeal and an anonymous major

gift. This greenhouse provides the controlled conditions necessary for propagating high-priority genetic lines and conducting early-stage research critical to the RGS program. A second milestone was the installation of a solar array that now provides the majority of the farm’s power. This investment reduces operational costs and ensures that our facility runs efficiently and sustainably. To keep pace with evolving scientific methods, Meadowview also modernized its molecular lab, installing updated equipment to prepare for expanded genotyping and biotech applications in future projects. These improvements position the facility to better support genomic research and data-driven breeding for years.

FARMS REPORT

July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

ADVANCING THE RECURRENT GENOMIC SELECTION PIPELINE Meadowview remains the engine of TACF’s RGS program, which integrates traditional breeding with genomic data to identify and propagate the most promising American chestnut candidates. In April and May of 2025, the team successfully established the RGS 2024 seed orchard and progeny test on the Duncan and Price farms, respectively, adding critical new material for future evaluation. The RGS 2025 and subsequent cohort is growing well and represent a substantial increase in the size and diversity of genomically selected trees in TACF’s program. Each year, Meadowview processes and coordinates genetic material for the entire organization, serving as the central clearinghouse for roughly 6,000 leaf

In its second growing season, the Meadowview replicate of the 2024 Common Garden Experiment (other sites in MD, PA, and RI) will be an important source of data on both local adaptation and parental selection efficacy.

samples collected nationwide. These samples are prepared and shipped to Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) in Australia for genotyping, with results feeding back into our selection models that guide future breeding work.

SKILLED STAFF AND COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT The continued success of Meadowview’s program depends on a capable and experienced team. Dan McKinnon, TACF’s longest-serving staff member, and Jim Tolton lead the land management and orchard operations, providing consistency and expertise across hundreds of acres of research orchards. Tree Improvement Scientist Lucinda Wigfield, now in her second year, oversaw another productive breeding and harvest season and has taken on expanded

leadership responsibilities multiple orchard projects.

across

Nursery Manager Brian Henrich has stepped into a multifaceted role that includes nursery propagation, high-light pollen forcing, harvest processing, and volunteer coordination, ensuring that all nursery and orchard workflows operate efficiently and effectively. MRF’s capacity is further strengthened by partnerships within the local community and beyond. In 2024, two full-time summer interns, Zoe Smutko and Talya Drazen, joined the team following a national recruitment process funded by the Felburn Foundation. We were later rejoined by experienced Bonner Scholars from Emory & Henry University, Gabbie Iadevaio and Maddy Rossi-Dupas, who provided valuable field, nursery,

MEADOWVIEW RESEARCH FARMS

and outreach assistance throughout the spring and fall semesters. Meadowview also continues to collaborate with Dr. Han Chuan Ong’s class from King University, whose students assist each year during the harvest, gaining hands-on experience while contributing meaningfully to Meadowview’s work.

A molting ladybug larva stands guard against aphids and other pests among the nursery seedlings at Meadowview.

These partnerships allow a core staff to accomplish an impressive amount of work each season, expanding Meadowview’s reach and impact while providing valuable educational experiences for the next generation of scientists and conservationists.

LOOKING AHEAD

TACF’s applied research efforts. The facility remains the testing ground where scientific progress and practical restoration meet — advancing the development of healthy, regionally adapted American chestnut trees for future forests. Supporters and members are encouraged to visit Meadowview Research Farms by appointment with Vasiliy Lakoba (vasiliy.lakoba@tacf.org) to see TACF’s science in action. Tours provide a firsthand look at how these collective investments — facilities, people, and partnerships — are moving restoration forward, one growing season at a time.

With upgraded infrastructure, growing research capacity, and a strong network of collaborators, Meadowview Research Farms is well positioned to continue leading

A cohort of seedlings in their first weeks under high light treatment for pollen forcing in the Thomson greenhouse at Meadowview.

2025’s recurrent genomic selection cohort has completed a growing season in the MRF nursery before being allocated to seed orchards, pollen forcing, and progeny testing in 2026.

REGIONAL REPORTS

A VITAL ROLE IN RESTORATION July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

EXECUTED BY THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS ACROSS 16 CHAPTERS

LEGEND  P lantings 

Little’s Range of the American chestnut

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The restoration of the American chestnut is made possible through the dedication of an extraordinary network of chapter volunteers. From establishing new plantings and caring for research orchards to engaging communities through education and outreach, these individuals contribute thousands of hours to advancing TACF’s mission and preserving the legacy of this iconic tree. New England Region CT CHAPTER

parent trees from Woodbridge, Wigwam Brook, and Swann Farm orchards.

n Collected more than 2,500 wild American chestnuts during the 2024 harvest for GCO planting and TACF’s Annual Wild-Type Sale.

n Planted two new germplasm conservation orchards (GCOs) in Spring 2025 and added 145 trees to seven existing GCOs.

n Began the Chapter’s first recurrent genomic selection (RGS) controlled crosses in June 2025, selecting six

n Maintained and improved multiple orchards through fencing, maintenance, site prep, and transplanting

work, supported by volunteer labor across the season. n Delivered outreach and education at fairs, garden clubs, heritage walks, and TV segments, reaching hundreds of attendees across Connecticut. n Hosted TACF’s Chestnut Symposium in Cromwell, CT (Oct 23–26, 2024), featuring slash wall exclosure walks and tours of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station orchards at Lockwood Farm and Sleeping Giant State Park.

MA/RI CHAPTER n Planted more than 100 American chestnut trees in multiple locations throughout MA. n Discovered four flowering American chestnut trees at Borderland State Park and led a hike for the Wrentham Conservation Commis-

NEW ENGLAND CHESTNUTS PLANTED: 3,403 n VOLUNTEERS: 189 n ATTENDEES/BENEFICIARIES: 12,640

REGIONAL REPORTS July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

sion where a healthy wild American chestnut was spotted. n Delivered 26 seedlings to Somerset Sportsmen’s Club for a planting, 25 seedlings to the Fall River Water Department for an orchard at a farm purchased by the city, and a mix of 20 seedlings (American, Asian, and hybrids) to Newport Vineyards. n Performed maintenance on trees at the Flint Field GCO in Lincoln, Edith Read Conservation Area in Norton, Highland and WWI Parks in North Attleboro, Wheaton Farm Conservation Area and Borderland State Park, both in Easton. n Participated in a 2025 spring Arbor Day event in Attleboro, trained University of Rhode Island master gardeners and interns on pollinations, led a chestnut walk at Bor-

derland State Park with members of the Easton Conservation Commission, and collaborated with the same group to plant seedlings at Wheaton Farm Conservation Area. n Harvested nuts and conducted maintenance on trees planted years ago by Rufin Van Bossuyt, a longtime dedicated Chapter member, advisor, and mentor, who passed away in 2026. n Delivered educational presentations on American chestnut at the Norton and Easton Conservation Commissions. n Harvested more than 1,200 nuts.

ME CHAPTER n Completed major wild American chestnut harvests, collecting more than 5,800 nuts from sites across Enfield, Monroe, Stockton Springs,

Hampden, Orono, Ellsworth, Unity, and Belfast. n Ran extensive Chestnuts Across Maine programming throughout the year, partnering with schools, land trusts, Maine Audubon, and community groups for education, planting, and outreach. n Conducted significant greenhouse and seedling operations, including seed sales, prep work, potting, and an annual seed-planting party involving 1,400 seeds. n Performed ongoing orchard and restoration work across multiple locations: bagging flowers, pollination, orchard reviews, germplasm conservation, fencing, site prep, and RGS program activities. n Delivered a large slate of community events, including Fryeburg Fair (multi-day, high-attendance), Natural

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Resources Conservation Service workshops, WildFed TV segments, forestry classes, plant sales, and the annual Chapter meeting. n Maintained strong governance and committee activity, including board meetings, Outreach Committee meetings, executive business sessions, and coordination with TACF governance and regional science committees.

VT/NH CHAPTER n Supported the establishment of two RGS Progeny Test plantings, including collecting RGS nuts and planting 296 germinated nuts in Goshen, VT on May 28, 2025, representing 17 selections, plus American and Chinese chestnut sources. n Advanced work at the Windsor GCO (VT) and New London GCO (NH) through planting, maintenance,

mowing, fencing, installing deerexclusion shelters, and competition mat installation. n Managed extensive nut-related activities, including nut collection, shucking, cleaning, and free nut distribution across VT and NH. n Completed the establishment of a new GCO in New London, alongside continued maintenance and planting of harvested nuts. n Delivered community outreach events, including presentations for the Grantham Conservation Commission, the VT Wildlife Festival, and NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo. n Strengthened partnerships with conservation commissions, USFS, state agencies, and private groups, supporting coordinated TACF activities across VT and NH.

North Central Region IN CHAPTER n Conducted Chapter Annual Meeting under the state champion American chestnut tree in Roselawn, IN. This followed a massive effort to collect nuts from this isolated grove of American chestnuts, which recently contracted the blight. n In spring 2025, Chapter members gathered at Potawatomi Park to control invasive species, rate existing B3F2 hybrids, and interplant novel F1 hybrids among B3F2 hybrids to assist re-forestation and provide additional sources of resistance. Pollen was also collected from the Jackson-Washington State Forest for future use.

REGIONAL REPORTS July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

OH CHAPTER n Planted more than 5,000 American chestnut seedlings across 25+ locations in partnership with state parks, forests, and community groups.

n Continued orchard maintenance, nut collection, and pollination work across key restoration sites, including Mohican State Forest, The Wilds, and Cuyahoga National Park.

PA/NJ CHAPTER

n Collected and sold more than 250 chestnuts to Ohio Chapter members, raising awareness and support for restoration.

n Updated Chapter website to a more professional, engaging, userfriendly site including blog, store, and volunteer events calendar.

n Maintained an active Facebook presence to engage the local community and share restoration updates.

n Updated e-newsletters to a modern, engaging design.

n Expanded membership and outreach, connecting with new supporters and locating wild American chestnuts. n Funded three Ohio mini-grants supporting education projects statewide and restoration.

n Implemented new Chapter logo across website, social media accounts, merchandise, etc.

n Increased overall social media engagement by sharing more of the Chapter’s processes, facilities, and happenings. Videos featuring North Central Regional Science Coordinator Lake Graboski and Orchard Manager Noah Vincent performed well. n Transitioned from Sign-Up Genius to Volunteer Local for online volunteer sign-ups for a more consistent, streamlined experience. n With the help of several larger donations, made infrastructure improvements to the PSU orchard fence and PSU hoop house.

n Redesigned Chapter t-shirts to include new logo and updated online store on website. n Updated outreach table setup to include new branded tablecloth and runner.

NORTH CENTRAL CHESTNUTS PLANTED: 10,987 n VOLUNTEERS: 432 n ATTENDEES/BENEFICIARIES: 20,425

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Mid Atlantic Region KY CHAPTER n Planted 27 additional American chestnut seedlings at the GCO Orchard, bringing the total to 100 Kentucky-sourced trees. n Strengthened partnerships with USFS, KY National Guard, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), UK Forestry, Berea College Forest, and KY Division of Forestry, ensuring skilled support for orchard work. n Conducted genomic leaf sampling at TACF/EKU Orchard to support RGS tree selection in May 2025. n Expanded recruitment through a 1,000+ follower Facebook page, an active member communications list, and renewed outreach to former members.

n Collaborated with four Army Corps lake sites to plant or replant hybrid public education orchards at Buckhorn, Carr Creek, Green River, and Beech Fork Lakes. n Recognized contributors through Volunteer of the Year and Partner of the Year awards, with EKU earning Partner of the Year 2024.

VA CHAPTER n Managed and maintained numerous orchards statewide, including mowing, culling, vegetation work, inoculations, and fence repairs. n Supported greenhouse operations through seed sowing, shucking, and ongoing care at Crimora and Meadowview Research Farms. n Planted 1,948 chestnuts across new and existing orchards, with major plantings at Woodgrove

High School and multiple State forest sites. n Completed substantial harvests totaling 9,750 chestnuts, including large collections at Lesesne, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Fortunes Cove, and Blandy Farm. n Conducted a wide range of restoration tasks, including drone imaging, scion collection, vegetation measurement, and orchard assessments. n Delivered outreach and education through plant sales, park events, meetings, school partnerships, and field trips, reaching at least 182 attendees.

WV CHAPTER n Hosted an extensive slate of community outreach and educa-

MID ATLANTIC CHESTNUTS PLANTED: 2,121 n VOLUNTEERS: 754 n ATTENDEES/BENEFICIARIES: 6,622

REGIONAL REPORTS July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

tion events, including lectures to schools, universities, master gardeners, civic groups, and the Land & Mineral Owners Association, plus participation in fairs and public festivals.

n Supported robust greenhouse operations, such as potting 1,000 nuts, potting backcross material, labeling pots, and numerous member seedling distributions statewide.

n Published monthly Chapter newsletters (July 2024–June 2025), consistently reaching an audience of ~165 readers each issue.

n Produced multimedia and outreach assets, including video shoots at Waddell Orchard and an interview for a 3,000-reader magazine article, increasing visibility for the Chapter’s mission.

n Carried out significant restoration and orchard management work, including assessments, monitoring visits, harvests at multiple sites, shucking burs, and a major orchard workday with USFS. n Completed multiple new orchard plantings, including Alpine Lake water storage tank, The Woods, Berkeley Springs, and Jennings Randolph Lake (with Army Corps of Engineers).

RGS breeding programs at Berry College and partner institutions. n Performed major orchard operations across Flint, Berry, Henry, Richards, Oak Hill, Bottomlands, Lake Allatoona, and Hurricane Creek, including blight evaluations, culling, direct-seeding projects, PRR control treatments, maintenance, and a large multi-site harvest of 1,643 nuts.

GA CHAPTER

n Strengthened public engagement, membership, and donor support through Chestnutoberfest, seed/ seedling sales, tabling events, and recurring outreach across the state.

n Conducted extensive breeding and research work, including multiple rounds of Small Stem Assays (SSAs), 90-day canker measurements, RGS pollination, and contributions to the Best x Best and

n Delivered a robust calendar of community outreach events, including Chestnutoberfest, multiple educational presentations, tabling events, film screenings, scout programs, fairs, and a widely

Southern Region

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broadcast WRGA live radio interview reaching approximately 10,000 listeners.

crosses in 2025. Some pollen was shared with other chapters in the south or preserved.

n Managed significant seed and seedling distribution, including providing ~1,200 seeds to orchard stewards and agencies, hosting a large seedling distribution event, and running the “Seeds for Donors” program.

n Inoculated first-year seedlings with Cryphonectria parasitica to screen for chestnut blight resistance. Cankers were measured and family averages were used for heritability predictions. Notable corky bark phenotype observed in OXO+ seedlings in 2024; OXOprogeny showed smaller cankers but unusual corky bark.

n Maintained strong Chapter governance, formally adopting new bylaws and establishing three standing committees (Finance, Governance, and Resource Development) plus an ad hoc Restoration Committee.

TN CHAPTER

n In fall 2024, volunteers from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga processed nearly 21,000 seeds at the Fortwood Street Greenhouse & Nursery.

n Collected pollen and performed RGS-directed crosses in Tennessee backcross orchards and with wild trees: 27 crosses in 2024 and 19

n Continued monthly operations in greenhouse maintenance and administrative work, and led several community events such as

Trails & Trilliums Festival, Darwin’s Day, and others. n Conducted ongoing RGS breeding processes at Fortwood Street Greenhouse & Nursery. n Assessed crosses, harvested seeds, and planted and pollinated trees at multiple sites in the State.

SOUTHERN CHESTNUTS PLANTED: 910 n VOLUNTEERS: 859 n ATTENDEES/BENEFICIARIES: 11,776

OUR MISSION THRIVES BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT

Every step toward restoring the American chestnut is made possible by the generosity of individuals, families, foundations, and organizations that share our vision. This support fuels groundbreaking research, orchard development, and educational outreach throughout TACF’s 16 state chapters. The donors recognized here are helping to create a future where this iconic tree will be celebrated once again for its economic and ecological value. We are deeply grateful for these committed stewards and invite others to join us in this hopeful and monumental mission.

$100,000+ ANONYMOUS LAWRENCE KANE CHARLES P. MCQUAID BRADFORD STANBACK AND SHELLI LODGE-STANBACK

$25,000 – $99,999 ANONYMOUS KENNETH J. ADAMS BETTY AND JOHN ALLISON ROBERT H. DUNLAP HJD FOUNDATION RUFIN VAN BOSSUYT AND RENA RICHARD

$10,000 – $24,999 ANONYMOUS ROSS BROADWAY SHELDON CAMPBELL ROBERT L. DIEHL DR. JOHN D. HEMPEL WANDA AND PHILLIP JOHN BARRY KRIEGEL CHARLES G. MACKALL, JR.

CATHERINE A. NOVELLI AND DAVID J. APOL MR. AND MRS. FRED STANBACK, JR. RICHARD BOUCHER GREGORY PALMER W. MANCEAUX AND M. MANCEAUX

$5,000 – $9,999 ANONYMOUS PATRICK BOYLE CATHERINE AND OREN CHEYETTE SUSAN GIESEMANN NORTH KAREN HOWAT NICHOLAS MARS JACK MCKEE KRISTINE MERRITT ANDREW MORTON MANCI AND GEORGE L. OHRSTROM II

GREGORY PALMER ELEANOR AND TOM RATCHFORD ALISON RICH TIMOTHY SHERWIN THE DANIELS FAMILY FUND THE PIERSON FAMILY FUND

THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

$1,000 – $4,999 Anonymous Arnold Abel Beau Acuff John and Juliet Allan Lynn and Phil Anderson Christine Barensfeld Clark Beebe Stephen and Karen Black Joan Blessing Michael Bloom Richard Boucher Ellen Braun and Kim Guenther J. Stewart Bryan Stephen Burant D. Michael Burke Elizabeth Kennan-Burns and Michael Burns Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust Dr. Gary and Darlene Carver Phillip and Cynthia Chase John M Cholin Brian E. Clark Philip Cody Celia Coe Andrea Colfer James Coors Curtis Cravens Madison Curtis Gary D’Amico Winston Davis Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell Davis, Jr. John P. Dawson Casey Donnelly Norman Egbert Matt Elder Mitchell Evelkin J. Henry and Mollie Fair Yvonne M. Federowicz Susan Fry Tillman Gerngross Marc Gollob John Gordon Jim and Megan Gorman Kyla Grafton Laurence Grossman Thomas and Sally Halbach

Helen Hansel Thomas Harbin Chris Harmston Anne L. Hatton Karl Hausker William and Kay Havenga Richard A. Hayne Karen Herold and Mark Isaacson Edward Hill Jamie Hillegonds Jessica Hough and Raina Brubaker Dianne and Dennis Howard Robert Hume Robert and Margaret Ibison J and K Wiley Charitable Fund Russell Jeffers and Claudia Dwass William and Jean Jeffries William P. Jewett Elizabeth Johnson Kevin Keating Keller Family Fund Ernest Klipstein Barbara B. Knapp Robert Legnini Lenfestey Family Foundation Terence Lennon Charles K. Likel Patricia Little and Chris Harmston Donald Loht Donald K. Lorenzo James Lugert Dr. William and Nora MacDonald Vincent Maddi Donald Martin Robin Maxwell David McMillin Bonnie Meeks John R. Mertens, Jr. Jay and Jennifer Mills James Building Jerry Monteith Mrs. Janet Montgomery Sean Montgomery

Jeffrey Morelli Jack D. Morris Bates Noble Michael Davis Kevin S. Oden Evelyn Odle Rachel Orman Roy Orton Hugh O’Shields Douglas H. Oswald Margaret Perella William and Sandy Perkins Edward C. Pfeiffer Richard Pollack Charles R. and Betsy Porter John F. Price Dorothy Prouty Thomas M. Pugel Michael Rainiero John Rains Casey Regional Water Authority David Reid Jim Roche Robert Rodriguez Paul D. Ross, Jr. John Runnberg Emily Rutherford Walter J. Rybka John Saunders, Jr. Travis S. Schill Eric Schill Howard J. Schlegel Jack and Nancy Schmidt Ronald Schofield Dr. John Scrivani Eileen E. Scutt James E. Searing and Gayle Goodman Charlie H. Sellars Rebecca Simmons Joseph Sites Nicholas A. Skinner Jay G. Smale Elaine Smith Miranda Smith Anna Sproul-Latimer Steve Steinman Eric R. Steuer

Byron and Nancy Stutzman G.K. and Shirley Sutton Brian F. Sweeney Hunter Sweet Bill and Lisa Sykes Family Fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation Richard and Dianne Taylor Barry K. Thacker The Darrell and Patricia Steagall Family Foundation John Blackburn Tori Thomas Gail Tomimatsu James Turnage Vicki Turner Urban Forestry Organization Jens von der Heide Judge Gary R. Wade Jeffrey Walla Marc Walton Tom and Anne Wild C. John Wiley Norman R. Williams Jamey Wilmoth Melody and David Wilson Robert Zeitz

FOUNDATION DONORS The invaluable partnership and support of these charitable foundations empower our organization to achieve remarkable benchmarks. ANONYMOUS

$500 – $999 Anonymous Joel and Marla Adams Brian Ames Neil Andersen Peter Arquin Brian and Jennifer Atkinson Thomas Austin Court Ballinger Melita Bass Russell Benz Eric Bertagnoli Corey Bettenhausen James and Jean Bey Keith Bibbee John W. Blotzer Matthew Bond Derrek Bowman Ron and Susan Bowman John G. and Amy Bradfield Larry and Patricia Brobst Brookfield Bocock Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation KT Burgard Scott Caldwell Gaines Campbell Scott and Lynda Carlberg Mark Carlson Connor Carrico Douglas B. Caulkins Daniel Chase Brooke Christian Lester Cichanski Michael J. Clark Jane and G. William Coble II Larry G. Cole Dr. Mandy Cromwell Nicole Curren Tim Depp Lawrence and Genevieve Dimmitt Gary Dower Thomas Dragone Jeffrey P. Dufficy Wesley Dungan

David Edmunds Dr. Patricia Eifel Harold E. and Peggy J. Elkins Drew Elliott Hilary Ely James Epstein James Farese Ed and Katie Farrey Peter Farrow Melissa Farrow John Fisher Donna Fleming Leo Flynn Brian Foster Jeanette Frost Ben and Sue Fry R. Michael Gadbaw Hilarie Gade and John Peters Carol Nancy Geck Geoffrey Geoghegan Eric Girardi Brent Gohdes Dorian S. Goldman Priscilla Goldsmith D. John Grace, Jr. R.T. Green Bucky Green John Grubb Scott Haines Grayson Hall Dr. William M. Hall Kristen Hammett, DVM Robert and Marietta Hance Matt Hanley Henry and Samantha Hatch Robert Hausler Richard Hearne Wayne Helming Terral Hill Steven Holman Bill Hottel James Hover IV Corey Hughes Dr. Donald Hulnick Elisabeth Isaksen Ellen Jackson Dr. B.J. Jackson, Jr.

Jeff Jens and Ann Boisclair John and Mary Erskine Fund Steven Jones Robert H. Jones Brenda Jones Matthew Jones Peter Ream Kemmerer Tina Kibler Josh Oates Kenneth Kingsbury Hans Klinger Kristy Klinger Hilary Kricun Charles Herr Thomas Lafarge Richard Latty William Law, Jr. Ann M. Lawler Elizabeth and Warren P. Laws II Kenneth Lay John Lee Sandy Lerner Bruce J. Levine and Laura Goertzel Nathaniel S. Levy Robert Lewis Karen Lindig Hal Lindsay Leslie and Catherine Love Jennifer Loyall Isaac Luhrs John Lund Michael Maria Ken Martin John-Paul Martin Kyle Mazellan Susan McConville William McDow Edsel D. McGrady Joseph Mclendon Larry Joe McReynolds Jeff Mentzer Charles Meyer Thomas Mills Dr. Alex Minard Philip Moore William R. Moore Eva Greger Morse

BALLYSHANNON FUND AT THE CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BERGLUND FAMILY FOUNDATION DOLAN GARDENS FOUNDATION FREDERICK H. AND DIANA C. PRINCE FOUNDATION GREEN FORESTS WORK, INC. LITTLE ACORN FUND OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WNC THE MARTIN-FABERT FOUNDATION MIKA FOUNDATION NANCY SPOFFORD YERKES FOUNDATION, INC. SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL NEW ENGLAND FOUNDATION SANDPIPER FUND STELFOX FOUNDATION STELLA-JONES, INC. THE ARCHIE W. AND GRACE BERRY FOUNDATION THE ASHLAND FOUNDATION FELBURN FOUNDATION THE MANTON FOUNDATION THE NEIL AND ANNA RASMUSSEN FOUNDATION THE OBSCURE DISTILLERY THE PIANFETTI FOUNDATION TRIAD FOUNDATION USDA FOREST SERVICE, SOUTHERN REGION WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WESTWIND FOUNDATION

THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

$500 – $999 Mount Riga, Inc. Reginald and Mary M. Mudd Robert and Ellen Mueller Carol Namkoong David Nebel Jeffrey Needham Deborah Nelson Jennifer and Bob O’Donnell Brian and Deena O’Neill Jan F. Ornato Jessica Orourke Dr. Jack and Maggie Ostroff Evan Page Camille Palmeri Oliver and Barbara Parker Joseph and Sarah Parrish Pennycup Coffee Timothy Peppe Patricia Peterson Trevor Pollock Margaret Fern Powell Michael Price Francis Priznar Allen and Susan Proper Alexander Reposar Neel Rich Charles Richards Alexis Rieffel Susan Robertson Michael Robey Gil Robinson Bruce Rockwell Bryan Rombaugh Michael Ronayne John Rosenfeld R. Scott Ruth John Rutledge Balfour Sartor Patrick and Mary Scanlan Lawrence Scherrer Thomas Scott Troy Shasko Arnold Sherrick Jacob and Emma Shetler Kim and Jane Sikoryak Keith Silliman John and Ann Skeele William E. Smith

Robin Smith and Eric McCallum Gregory M. Somerville William Spears Gregory St. Clair Rogers F. Starr Tom Stemmer Margo and Donald W. Stever, Jr. Susan Stillinger Amy Stump Summit Park Line Foundation Guy Super Kurt Tappe The Andrew and Sally Quale Foundation The Buck Hill Conservation Foundation Scott Thompson Cynthia and Terrence Tobias Ned Ulring James and Jocelyn Van Bokkelen Martha Vaughan Robert Volpe Matthew Weaver Edward Weiler Matthew and Janet Weir Matthew C. Wiatt Edward W. Wilburn J. Tracy and Barbara Wilkerson John and Mary Sweig Wilson William Guthrie and Elizabeth Wilson William Wolfe Gregory Wright Roy Young

$300 – $499 Nancy Adams Fry and Mervin Fry Carroll Adams, Jr. Steve Albright Brent Alderfer Keith Aldredge Jill Rendleman All Seasons Farm Alleghany Sparta Trail Association Edward Aller Tom Allerding Shaun Amos Vanessa Anderson John Araujo Ronny Arce Allison Archambault Alden Atkins Michael and Louise Aucott Mary Ayres Tom Babcock Robert Bailey James Bailey James W. Barrick Avan Batten Amy Bauman Ingrid Beer Helen Beichel Robert Belk Glenda Bell Jean Bell Steven G. Bell Arianna Tindall Bellwether Farms, LLC Craig L. Bennett Todd Berg James Biasco Susan Bieber Jay Billings Jody and Robert Bilyeu Dr. Bruce and Diane Blank David Bliss Tinamarie Bloomfield Erik Bodor May Boggess David Bontrager Chad Book Michael Bosler Elizabeth Boswell Peter Bourne

Tom Bowman Kevin Boylan Jenny Lynn Bradley David Braica Ethan Brainerd Helen Branton Josh Braun Libby Brennesholtz Andrew Brill Garrett Britt William Britton Juliette Bronchtein Benjamin Brown William Brown Janet Bryant Anna Bryniarski Parkin Bryson Denny Nichols Buchannon Eva Butler Steve Buyske Erica Byrd Douglas Calvert Olive Calvey Cambridge Plant and Garden Club Patricia D. Campbell David Caple Sean Carpenter Stephen Carroll Jon Carson Matthew D. Carson Angel Cassista Robert Cecil James Chadduck Heidi Chaney Craig Cheney Chestnut Hill Garden Club Jess Chiaruttini Ben Chrestman Teresa Ciani Sharon and Joe Cihak Jon Cintron Guy Alan Clark John Clark Ben Clarke Christopher Cobitz Thomas Cochran John Terrence Cody Todd Coe

OUR DONORS

July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

$300 – $499 Gary Cofer Dennis Coleman Kevin Collins Rebecca Collins Heather Comeaux Beverley Compton, Jr. James Connolly Michael Conoroy Edward Gage Conture Daniel Cook Karen Corcoran John Cordts Patrick Cornbill John Cotter Elizabeth Cox Bernie and Linda Coyle Sam Craig Stanley Crane Solomon Crenshaw Ralph L. Crisp, Jr. Harry Crook, Jr. William Crozier Mitch Davidson Mike Davis Paul Davis James and Shay Davison Steven Day Stephen Day Garrett E. DeGraff Mark Del Guidice Elizabeth Devasia Joseph DeVerna John Dewes Andrew and Nancy Dewing Matthew Dickens Robert W. Dietz Rebecca Dilla Tony DiNovo Paul C. Dioli Jacob DiSabatino Anthony DiTolve William Ditzler Attila Dobos David Dorough Bret Doverspike Timothy Dunfee Jim Dutlinger Jessica Duvall Erik Dykema

Elisabeth Eitel Young Cinthia Elkins Sarah Ellis John Emery Dean Emig Charles and Lisa Farber Joseph Farley Alexander Farmer Gene Feher Mary Fellner Robin Felt Kurt Ferry Jared Fields Johnathan Filsinger Laura and Joel Fine Warren Fisher Valerie Fisk Patrick M. Flaherty Frank Fowler Alexander Fraley Jennifer Francois Thomas C. Frank Michael Frary Melissa Frear Calvin Freeman Alyce Fritz Daphne Fuentevilla Donald and Linda Fuhrman Michael Joseph Gaffey Assunta Gaglione-Austin Signe Garnitz Mike Garver Lauren Gaudet Douglas Gault Warren and Diane Geisler James Gelfand Lucas George John Gerstmayr Laura Geske James Gewin Tom Ghobrial Dean Giacopassi James Gilhool Kevin Gingrich Amanda Gist Amanda Glassco Marcus Glassman Bob Goodlatte Joseph Googe

Jeff Gore Robert Governale Lorraine M. Goyette James Gradwell Gary Graham Charity Green Paul Grutter Hobart G. Guion Suna Gulay French Robert Guroff Michael Haas F. S. Hale Bernard Hall Stuart F. Hall James Hamilton Barry Hanerfeld Tommy Hannahan Alyce Neperud and Richard Hansen Giving Fund Wayne H. Harlow John Harrington Renee Harris Jessica Harrison Andrew Hartzell Mark Hawkins Cathy Heald Wayne and Jeanne Hearn Benjamin Heath Tom and Jenna Hedrick Roger Heinichen Jason Henderson James Hendrix, Jr. Helmut Hentschel Herbert and Gayl Henze Jenni and Scott Herchenbach Judith and Jeffrey Herm Garth Hermanson Matthew Herrick David Herrmann Chad Higdon Rebecca Higginbotham Hill and Dale Garden Club Norman Hines James Hirt Gary Hoam Jay Hoar Davidson Hobson Richard L. and Judy

Hoffman Thomas Holmes Isaac Holub Robin Holzer Emra Hopkins Larry Horrell Michael Horst Luke Horstman Angela Hosey Ed Hosken Lisa Hovanec Marc Howard Craig Hradel Timothy Hughes Philip B. Hurley Dan Hurst Stanley Hutchings Ron Hutchison Joseph Hyatt William A. and Sara Hyre William Inglee Timothy A. Ingraham Ruth Iosue Gary and Linda Jacob Matthew Jacobs David James Thomas E. Jannke Charles Johnson Erin Johnson Russell Johnson Thomas Johnston Robert Jones Thomas A. Jones Russell Jones Kyle Kalkbrenner Jeremiah Kane James P. Kariya Eugenia Karlson Erik Karlsson Collin Kaval Bryan Keener Maura Kelley Clint Kerber Kerber Farms and Mill Amjad Khoury Mary Kilcoyne Joseph King Kingsford Manufacturing Company

THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

$300 – $499 Robert Kleinberg Kevin Klingler Heidi Koenig Laura Kressin Robert Kuehlthau Stephen Kueny Michael Kuntz Blair Laddusaw James LaGrua Christine Lai Kelly Lake Larry Lamphier Bryant Lane Michael Lang Jon Larimer John Lawton John Lease Robert Leb Angela Lee Jerry A. Legg, Jr. Joseph Leming Jared Lepley Bryce Letcher Herbert Ley Michael Lipkowitz Jakub Lis Tyler Little Dr. Dennis Liu Logan Lock Gary Loew Evan Lorey George Loy J. Lucas Greg Ludtke Adriana Luedke Doug Lukens Joseph Lutsky Martin Lynch Lauren Lyon Alexander Mackay Alexander Mackay Ken MacLeod Stephen Maebius Donna Maguire James Mahaffey Zachary Manganello Jeffery Manjerovic Alexander Marathas Arthur Markos

Stephen Maro Margaret Marshall Marc Mataya Roxanne and David Matthews Kathleen McAuliffe Brian McCall Mark McCollough Dwaine and Frances McCollum Wayne McCoy, Jr. Susan McDonald Brett McGregor William McNamara Maurice McWhirter Karl Mech Matt Mecoli Allen G. Meek William Meeker Sebastian Meherji Jonathan Melick Greg Mendrek Adithyan Menon Wilhelm M. Merck Robert Meyers Dr. James Middleton William Miller Christy E Miller Judiann Miskulin Jimmy Mitchell Greg Moffett Robert Monette Matthew Moore Scott Moorehead Fisher Corlies Morgan Kaylene J. and Kevin H. Morgan Willard Morgan Milton Morgan III Kevin Morris Kyle Morrissey Jeanetta Morrow Beth Moseley Adam Mouw David A. Munschauer Mike Murray Tamara Murray John Nabholz Katherine B. Nammacher

Laura Neebling Randy Nees Ken Neiswender David Nelson Christina Ness Steve Neu Josh Nimmons Jim Nolan Tim Nugent Daniel S. Nydick Tom and Genevieve Obrig Sara O’Connor Robert P. O’Keeffe Nicholas Olney Delia and John Olson Otter Run Fish and Game Club Aylin Ozgener Rob Painter Mary Ellen Palko Jeff Pappas Michelle Park Robert Parkhill Megan Parks William Parks David Parr James Patterson, Jr. Allen and Carroll Paugh Daniel Paulson Robert Pavel Anne E. Payne Vincent and Cynthia Payne Stephen Donald Peck Joseph Pelusi Clyde E. Perdue, Jr. Walter Pettigrew Mary Petty Sean Pflugner Bruce Phipps Phillip Pifer William Plummer Grayson Cash Poplar Creek Farms, LLC Nathan Pressley Barbara Preston Dennis Bradley Price Sally and Gene Price James W. Psiones Carolyn Puckett

John V. Quackenbush Spencer Quesenberry Herbert D. Quinn, Jr. David Racke Douglas J. Rademacher Dr. John T. Raftis Troy Raines William Ralston Dr. James J. Ramage Paul Rawson Edward A. Raymond III Brendan Rea Mark Read Brian K. and Tracy N. Rearick Jake Reder Andrew Reese Eric Remole Tim Resch Brandon Reuter Thomas Reynolds Andra Rhoads Gretchen Riccardi Zachary Rice Brian Rich Sharon Richards Alice Eve Richter Veronica Richter Ingrid Ringler Ken Roberts Alan M. Robertson David Robinson Doug Robinson and Melita Team Karin Roland Clarke Romesberg Roger Rorabaugh Todd Ryan Ross Sandrine Rossi Charles Ruedebusch David Rutherford Branden Rutt Alden Ryan Jeanne Rydzak Dakoda Sanders John and Karen Sanders Bradley Fogel and Bella Sanevich Taylor Sanford Will Sawma

OUR DONORS

July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

$300 – $499 Samuel Sayler Karl Scheidt Sam Schlesinger Jim Schrank Tyson Schroeder Ann Schultz William Scott Roy Sedge Marc Seldin Toni Sessoms William Sewell Christopher Sewell Allyn Seymour, Jr. Robert Seymour Richard Shaffner Laura Sharp Matthew Sheehan Alicia Sheets Don Sheets Barbara Shepard Robert and Nancy Shipman Wiliam Shobe Kathleen Shoop Mark Shore Dr. Edwin Shuttleworth Emma Siesfeld Moshe Silverstein Kyle Sinn Alexander Skirpan Joe Slater Jim and Tamara Slaughter Kristine Slavin Adam Smeal Evan Smith Amy Smith Brandon Smith William Smith Roy Smith Henry Michael Smolak, Jr. Matthew Snyder Somerset Sportsman’s Club Gail South Susan Caffee James J. Spagnoli Jeffrey N. Specht Ann B. Spires Jason Spurzem Ronald L. Stancliff Patrick Stark

Starlight Forests, LLC Ken Steben Stewart Stevens Scott Stewart Ernest Stewart Roger Stillwater Brian Stinson Mark and Vicky Stoakes Austin Stoecker Steven C. Stone J. G. Stone Daniel Storaska Howard Strateman Arthur Streeter John Strickland Marion Striegel Jeremiah Sturgill Kasey Sudderberg Gary Susag Anthony Sutton Peter Swiderek Pamela Swift Edward Szymanik Matthew Tabisz Harry T. Taliaferro III Cynthia Tauxe Joshua Taylor Jason Taylor Elizabeth Teuber The Ershow Plugge Family Fund Michael Thomas David Thompson Robert Thompson Fred Thompson Stephanie Tisher William Toffey Lauren Toiaivao Larry Totten Town of Hanson Conservation Commission Town of Jonesborough Town of Montreat Tommy Trask Anna Trautmann David A. Travalini Phoebe Tremalio-Slater Arnold Tschanz Eric Tucker

Luke Tweeten Ted Twyman Charles Ude John Uitendaal Tom Umbricht Margaret Urzua Margaret Beucher Louise Van Alstyne Tyler Van Dyke Carmen Van Nieuwkerk Scott VanDenPlas Marianne Marsolais and Edward Vander Hoeven Margaret and Tom Vaughn Victor Velelli Vincent Vena Katherine Vern Tom Verry Virginia Vess Justin Vetsch David Vicic James Viscardi Linda Voce Edwin Voll Eric Walden Roderick S. Walker David Wallace Caleb Waller Bryan M. Walt Taylor Waters Tom Watson Weston Waxweiler Cory Weaver Kimberly Webb Christopher Weigel Ronald Weisenstein Rebecca Wells Linda and Wayne Westbrook Anthony Wickham Tom Wilde Wilderscaping George J. Wilson John Wilson Michael Wilson Richard Wilt Thomas Winner Dennis Wise Allan Wollaber

Nigel C. Wolters Robert L. Woolcock Alfred Wright Janet Wright Levi Wyant David Wylie Rebecca Wynne John Yoder Stephen Yoder Allison Yoest Robert Yohannan Aria Yom Joseph N. Yorks Jon Zeidler Jacob Zimmerman Jacob Zimmerman Casey Zingg Mary and Jim Zmuda

FINANCIALS

JULY 01, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025

PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUES

EXPENSES

% Income

% PROGRAM SERVICES Expense

Contributions

$2,762,921

79.21%

526,372

15.09%

Federal Grants

10,765

0.31%

Investment Income, Net

141,757

4.06%

Merchandise Sales

24,839

0.71%

Annual Meeting

9,763

0.28%

Other Income

11,844

0.34%

Membership Dues

TOTAL REVENUE

$3,488,261

National Office Operations

$752,941

19.34%

Marketing & Communications

246,051

6.32%

Science & Research

1,176,419

30.22%

Chapter & Membership

337,387

8.67%

Research Farm Operations

698,052

17.93%

$3,210,850

82.48%

Management & General

$601,794

15.46%

Fundraising

$80,206

2.06%

$682,000

17.52%

Total Program Services SUPPORTING SERVICES

Total Supporting Services TOTAL EXPENSES

PROGRAM SERVICES: 82.48%

$3,892,850

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

YEARS AS A:

MANAGEMENT & GENERAL: 15.46% FUNDRAISING: 2.06%

ANNUAL REPORT July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Chair Elizabeth (Liz) Kramer, PhD Vice Chair Ambassador Catherine Novelli, Committees Chair: Governance; Government Relations Vice Chair John Scrivani, PhD, Committee Chair: Science & Technology Stephen Black Martin (Marty) Cipollini, PhD, Committee Chair: Chapters Deborah Delmer, PhD Carolyn Howes-Keiffer, PhD Bruce Levine Dennis Liu, PhD, Committee Chair: Communications Peter Reinhart Jeanne Romero-Severson, PhD Jack Swatt, Committee Chair: Restoration James Searing, Treasurer, Committee Chair: Finance Barbara Tormoehlen, Secretary James Votaw

STAFF Advisors to the Board William J. (Jay) Cude, III Immediate Past Board Chair Charles G. Meyer, III, VA, Legal Counsel Kim Steiner, PhD, PA, Science Advisor Emeritus Members Gary P. Carver, PhD Hill Craddock, PhD Herbert F. Darling, Jr. Michael Doochin Hugh Irwin William G. Lord, PhD William L. MacDonald, PhD Rex Mann (d) Brian McCarthy, PhD Glen Rea Kim Steiner, PhD Rufin Van Bossuyt (d) Bruce Wakeland Donald C. Willeke, Esq. Honorary Directors Richard A. Jaynes, PhD Peter H. Raven, PhD (d) Philip A. Rutter

Asheville Michael Goergen, President & CEO Christine Bailey, Administrative Assistant John Chastain, Director of Development Hanna Giblin, Membership Coordinator Angus Mullis-McCord, Donor & Volunteer Engagement Officer Audrey Owen, Website & Communications Specialist Jules Smith, Director of Communications Amy Tipps, Staff Accountant Ashley Wahlers, Social Media & Communications Specialist Jared Westbrook, PhD, Director of Science

Meadowview Brian Henrich, Nursery Manager Vasiliy Lakoba, PhD, Director of Research and Restoration Dan Mckinnon, Director of Land Management Jim Tolton, Facilities & Grounds Technician Lucinda Wigfield, Tree Improvement Scientist

Mid-Atlantic Regional Office VA Department of Forestry Central Office 900 Natural Resources Drive Charlottesville, VA 22903 (434) 443-0330 New England Regional Office Griswold Research Center 190 Sheldon Road Griswold, CT 06351-3627 (959) 444-3514

North Central Regional Office Pennsylvania State University 108 Research A Modular Lab 118 Serviceberry Road University Park, PA 16802 (814) 863-7192

Southern Regional Office The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 615 McCallie Ave. Dept. 2653 Chattanooga, TN 37403 (828) 259-2030

Regional Zach Anderson, Southern Regional Science Coordinator Lake Graboski, North Central Regional Science Coordinator Kaitlyn Harless, Mid-Atlantic Regional Science Coordinator Deni Ranguelova, New England Regional Science Coordinator Cassie Stark, Director of Science Implementation

LOCATIONS TACF National Office 50 N. Merrimon Avenue, Suite 115 Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 281-0047 Meadowview Research Farms 29010 Hawthorne Drive Meadowview, VA 24361 (276) 696-9142

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ANNUAL REPORT July 1, 2024 — June 30, 2025

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