American Chestnut Foundation Re-Introduction Training

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) is offering Forest Restoration Specialist Trainings (FOREST) that are designed to help people gain the information they need to restore the American chestnut into their forests, from the establishment through the monitoring and maintenance phase.

Sponsored by TACF and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, FOREST consists of a series of four, 1-day sessions and is designed to give you the tools you need to help the American chestnut once again play an important role in our eastern forests.

Although this pilot training program will focus on American chestnut restoration, participants will gain skills and knowledge applicable for many aspects of sustainable forestry management, far beyond a single species.  Tools acquired will help one implement, monitor and manage a properly restored site for several native forest tree species.  Come learn about topics ranging from tree ID, wood ID, genetics, fungal culturing, forest mensuration and more!

The first session will take place a Powdermill Nature Reserve in southwestern PA on Friday, April 1 and will cover the basics of American chestnut planting, management, and science.  The session will be repeated on Saturday April 2.  Each session will begin at 9:30 AM EST and run until 4:30 PM EST.  The cost is $20 persession.  You only need attend one of these sessions.

Future sessions are proposed for:
Phase II: Friday, April 22; repeated on Saturday, April 23 in Bolivar, PA
Phase III: Friday, June 24; repeated on Saturday, June 25 in Laughlintown, PA
Phase IV: Friday, August 12; repeated on Saturday, August 13 near Ligonier, PA

Each phase covers a different aspect of restoration science. Those who complete all four phases will become a certified as a TACF FORESTER and will receive a special gift at the end of training.

To register or for additional information contact Sara Fitzsimmons, Regional Science Coordinator, The American Chestnut Foundation: sff3@psu.edu or 814-863-7192. This training is open to anyone and everyone who is interested in American chestnut restoration and/or forest sustainability.