Projects

American Chestnuts

The history of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) chronicles the ongoing pursuit of a fundamental goal: to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut tree through scientific research and breeding, and to restore the tree to its native forests along the eastern United States.

• • American Chestnut Foundation
  • Maryland Chapter with a link to a map of the chestnut orchards

The backcross breeding program of the Maryland Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (MDTACF) is carried out in twenty orchards throughout the state of Maryland. These orchards advance the efforts of The American Chestnut Foundation to restore the American chestnut tree to its former range throughout the Appalachian region, enhancing the genetic diversity of the backcross breeding efforts with mother trees adapted to the variety of growing conditions within the state of Maryland. Maryland orchards also create opportunities for learning activities and research related to American chestnut restoration. The Maryland Chapter initiates and supports hands-on learning activities in areas of inquiry relevant to American chestnut restoration.

Big Tree Measurement

The Big Tree Program originated in Maryland in 1925, went national in 1940, and is run by American Forests, www.americanforests.org. Each state has a State Coordinator who collects data, measures trees, and biannually submits certain trees to American Forests as potential National Champions. The Maryland State Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards, a volunteer group to which our board belongs, currently handles the program.

The MD Big Tree program webpage leads to images and information about these massive giants in Maryland. The image on the right is of the third largest Norway spruce in Maryland, which grows on private property in Bel Air. It is the new Harford County champion as the old champion has died. Read a Baltimore Sun article about Harford County’s Forestry Board’s work in measuring big trees. Click Here.

Envirothon

The Envirothon is a fun and exciting way for high school students in grades 9-12 to learn about the natural world around us. Envirothon teams are made up of 5 students who work together to study Maryland’s natural resources over the course of the school year. All topics are very hands-on and include practical skills and the trainings taught by experts in each field.

Enter the Maryland Envirothon webpage