TREMONT - Following up its successful conference on timbering in March, the Schuylkill County Conservancy is planning a second conference - this time about the American chestnut tree.
Called "The Return of the American Chestnut," the event is set for 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 7 at the Tremont Borough Community Center. The fee to attend is $5 per person.
"A lead researcher from Penn State will present the program and discuss efforts to restore this species back into the landscape.," Frank P. Snyder, a state service forester who works for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Tuscarora, said Monday.
That speaker is Sara Fitzsimmons, a research technologist at Penn State University, State College. She is also the northcentral coordinator for the American Chestnut Foundation, Snyder said.
"There will also be a quick bus trip to see a collection of American chestnut trees in Tremont Township,' he added. "This is a very popular topic of many folks in Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania."
The fee, Snyder said, will include cost of hiring the main speaker and bus transportation to a chestnut plantation on land owned by the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority.
"There will be a tour of a recently planted American chestnut plantation where you will see first-hand how these trees are being used to reclaim mining sites that will greatly help control flooding in nearby communities," Snyder said.
The registration deadline for the conference is Aug. 30. To register, send a check for $5 to: Schuylkill County Conservancy, Attn.: Wayne G. Lehman, Schuylkill Conservation District, 1206 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville, PA. 17901.
The Schuylkill County Conservancy is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that works to preserve farmland, open space, rural heritage, streams, wetlands, waterways, forests, historic sites and structures, and other natural resources, according to its website at schuylkillconservancy.org
In March, the organization held a conference on timbering at the Health and Wellness Building at Penn State Schuylkill campus, Schuylkill Haven. It was free to the public, Snyder said.
The conservancy wasn't sure how many people would come out, but more than 80 did. And that inspired the conservancy to hold a second conference this year, Snyder said.
"We had an evaluation sheet we handed out to all the participants. And we asked them if they would be interested in future events, and what kind of topics they would like to hear about. And American chestnut was one of those topics they requested," Snyder said.
The American chestnut was once one of the more prominent tree species in the eastern United States. The species was almost completely wiped out by a fungal blight, Cryphonectria parasitica, accidently brought from Asia to New York in the late 19th century, according to hobbyfarms.com.
"Over the years, I've noticed people always want to talk about the American chestnut. I think it's because that tree is near extinction. But they see it's still growing in the forest, but it keeps dying out. So it's a constant reminder that this tree is struggling to survive," Snyder said.
"At this workshop you will be familiarized with the efforts of the American Chestnut Foundation to restore the American Chestnut back into our eastern woodlands. The benefits that this species provides our environment, wildlife and society will be discussed. You will meet researchers and project partners who have made contributions in restoring this tree to our landscape," according to a press release for the event. Conference slated
· What: "The Return of the American Chestnut"
· Host: The Schuylkill County Conservancy
· When: 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 7
· Where: Tremont Borough Community Center, 139 Clay St.
· Cost to attend: $5 per person
· Deadline to register: Aug. 30
· How to register: Send a check for $5 per person to: Schuylkill County Conservancy, Attn.: Wayne G. Lehman, Schuylkill Conservation District, 1206 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville, PA. 17901.
Source: Frank P. Snyder, service forester, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Tuscarora.